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Image of sous vide chicken thighs after searing in cast iron pan.
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5 from 1 vote

Sous Vide Chicken Thighs

Make these healthy Cilantro Lime Chicken Sous Vide style to get restaurant-like cooked chicken at home. A quick and easy recipe that needs very little prep time. Sous Vide can cook these chicken thighs to perfection with a tender and juicy texture. Finally, sear them quickly in a hot pan to get a nice crust.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 10 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Lunch / Dinner
Cuisine: American Inspired, Mexican Inspired
Servings: 4
Calories: 174kcal

Ingredients

  • 6 medium chicken thighs
  • 2-3 garlic cloves peeled
  • 1 jalapeno optional
  • ½ cup loosely packed fresh cilantro plus more to garnish
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 2 tablespoon lime juice
  • ½ tablespoon cooking olive oil
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

  • Fill water in a large pot and then clip the Sous Vide cooker on the side. Set the temperature to 165F to preheat the water.
  • Meanwhile, in a small blender jar, add garlic, jalapeno, cilantro, paprika, cumin, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Blend the mixture coarsely until everything combines well.
  • Pat dry the chicken thighs using a paper towel to remove excess moisture and place them in a Ziploc or stasher bag.
  • Add prepared cilantro lime marinade to the bag, close it and mix well to coat the chicken thighs with the marinade.
  • Try to remove as much air as possible from the bag and then close it.
  • Immerse the bag with chicken in the preheated water bath and set the timer to 2 hours. Clip the upper side of the bag to the pot to prevent the water from going inside.
  • Once the timer is over, remove the bag from the water bath. Take out the chicken pieces carefully, leaving behind the juices or drippings.
  • Heat some oil in a cast-iron pan over medium to high heat. Place the chicken thighs and cook them for 2-3 min on high heat. Flip the chicken and cook for another 1-2 min on the other side.
  • Take the chicken pieces out and add the remaining juice/drippings from the bag. Cook for 2-3 min or until the sauce starts to thicken.
  • Add back the chicken thighs, garnish with fresh cilantro, and serve warm.

Notes

  1. You can mix the cilantro lime marinade with chicken in a mixing bowl and then place it in a sealable bag like Ziploc or stasher bags or vacuum seal bags.
  2. Instead of pan-searing, you can also grill the chicken for a smokey taste.
  3. Carefully handle the chicken after the Sous Vide cooking is over because it will be so tender it can easily fall apart.

Nutrition

Calories: 174kcal