These Cilantro lime chicken thighs are perfectly juicy, just a little crispy, and full of flavor. Not only is this recipe delicious, it is incredibly easy to make and will take you no time to whip up. Meal prep these chicken thighs in advance for an easy lunch or make them for a quick weeknight dinner.

Cilantro lime chicken thighs on a white plate with sliced limes, topped with cilantro, and a fork on the side of the plate this recipe

Flavorful and Juicy Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs

You can never have too many chicken marinades, am I right? I’m not sure about you, but chicken is one of the most frequently cooked and eaten sources of protein in my house. While I also try to eat a wide variety of meat and seafood each week, if I am really in a pinch, and just cannot seem to figure out what to make for dinner that night, I always have a pack of boneless, skinless chicken thighs in the freezer that I can cook.

We all know that chicken without the right seasoning can be boring which is why you need this cilantro lime chicken recipe in your life. The chicken is marinated in a delicious marinade made with fresh garlic, lime juice, chopped cilantro, and spices. Once the chicken is marinated, it is perfectly cooked until a little crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

This recipe is a great one to have in your pack pocket and the marinade would also work well on shrimp or pork. It is naturally gluten free, easy to make, and Whole30 compliant.

Reader Favorite Chicken Recipes

Cilantro Lime Chicken Marinade Ingredients

Cilantro lime marinade in glass bowl with silver spoon

Olive Oil: The base of this marinade is olive oil. Choose a great tasting olive oil that you love.

Cilantro: Lots of freshly chopped cilantro is included in the marinade as well as sprinkled on top of the chicken after it is cooked.

Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice adds such brightness to the marinade and works well with the flavor of the cilantro.

Fresh Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is always best and adds so much flavor to the marinade.

Red Pepper Flakes: Feel free to leave these out if you do not like a little heat.

Salt, Pepper, and Spices: Any good chicken marinade must have salt and pepper. This marinade also includes cumin and paprika.

Tools You’ll Need to Make This Recipe

How to Make the Best Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs

cilantro lime marinade with chopped cilantro on top in a glass bowl

Step One: Add all of the ingredients to a small mixing bowl and whisk until well combined.

Step Two: Next, add the chicken thighs to a large bowl. Pour the marinade over the chicken and use kitchen tongs to toss the chicken until it is well coated in the marinade. If you are running short on time, let the chicken marinate for up to fifteen minutes at room temperature. If you have a bit more time, cover the bowl and let the chicken thighs marinate for up to two hours in the fridge.

chicken marinading in glass bowl with cilantro lime marinade

Step Three: Once your chicken is done marinating, it’s time to cook. The great thing about chicken thighs is that they are hard to overcook, unlike chicken breast. They are a great option if you are still perfecting your chicken cooking skills. You can cook these chicken thighs in a skillet on the stove top or on a grill, whichever you prefer.

To make these on the stove top, heat your skillet over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is hot, add a teaspoon of oil to the pan. There is already a good amount of oil on the chicken from the marinade, so you won’t need to add a lot of extra oil to the pan. Next add the chicken thighs and cook for five to six minutes per side or until no longer pink and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.

Step Four: Once the chicken is finished cooking, transfer it to a serving dish. Finish off the chicken with and extra squeeze of fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro.

Tips and Tricks for Perfectly Cooked Chicken Thighs

  • Make sure your chicken thighs are completely submerged in the marinade to ensure that they have a chance to soak up all of that juicy marinade.
  • Do not be afraid of a hot pan. When you add your chicken to the skillet, it should audibly sizzle. Making sure you have a hot pan will ensure that the chicken develops a delicious and slightly crispy outer crust.
  • Leave those chicken thighs alone! When you first add the chicken to the pan, you may feel tempted to move it around but don’t. Once you add the chicken to your hot skillet, leave it alone and allow it to cook, without moving it, for a full five minutes without moving it before flipping.
  • Avoid overcrowding the pan when cooking the chicken. You do not want the chicken thighs to be touching or crowded together in the pan when cooking. This helps the chicken to develop that delicious brown crust. If your pan cannot accommodate all of the chicken thighs at one time without being crowded, cook the chicken in batches.

Can I Use Chicken Breast Instead of Thighs?

Yes! While I love the juicy-ness of chicken thighs works so well in this recipe, if you prefer, you can use chicken breast instead. If using chicken breast, be sure to adjust the cooking time depending on the thickness of your chicken breasts. They will be fully cooked when they are no longer pink and their internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.

What to Serve with the Chicken

cilantro lime chicken thighs on white plate with lime slices and fresh cilantro

Print
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Cilantro lime chicken thighs on a white plate with sliced limes, topped with cilantro, and a fork on the side of the plate

Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 91 reviews
  • Author: Ashlea Carver
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Total Time: 37 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free
Print Recipe

Description

Cilantro lime chicken thighs are perfectly juicy, just a little crispy, and full of flavor. Not only is this recipe delicious, it is incredibly easy to make and will take you no time to whip up. Meal prep these chicken thighs in advance for an easy lunch or make them for a quick weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/2 cup olive oil 
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon cumin 
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 teaspoons salt 
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Add all of the ingredients, except the chicken thighs, to a small mixing bowl and whisk until well combined.
  2.  Next, add the chicken thighs to a large mixing bowl. Pour the marinade over the chicken and use kitchen tongs to toss the chicken until it is well coated in the marinade. Let the chicken marinate for 15 minutes uncovered or for up to 2 hours, covered, in the fridge.
  3. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is hot, add a teaspoon of oil to the pan.  Next add the chicken thighs and cook for five to six minutes per side or until no longer pink and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
  4. Once the chicken is finished cooking, transfer it to a serving dish. Squeeze extra fresh lime juice and sprinkle chopped cilantro over the chicken before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

Prep time includes 15 minute marinade time

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138 Comments

  1. Delicious recipe but I suggest seasoning your chicken lightly with seasoned salt , black pepper and sea salt for more flavor .



    Reply
    1. Ashlea Carver says:

      Hi, Amber!The marinade includes plenty of slat and pepper and takes care of all the flavor so there’s no need to add additional salt. Of course, you’re welcome, to add a bit more seasoning when you make the recipe to suite your individual tastebuds. So glad you loved the recipe!

      Reply

  2. We loveeeee this recipe, especially once grilling season rolls around. I have made them inside using my cast iron skillet, just be prepared for the smoke! Easy and great for meal prepping since you can easily double the recipe.



    Reply

  3. We love this recipe, such great flavor and so many ways to use this chicken. Thank you for an amazing recipe!



    Reply
  4. Stephanie says:

    Very flavorful and moist. Really enjoyed it and easy to make.



    Reply

  5. I’ve made this recipe more than once. My boyfriend asked for healthy food and I found this delicious chicken thigh recipe. My boyfriend will ask, if I’m making this because he loves it! I’m going to cook potatoes parmesan herb with this tonight.



    Reply

  6. These chicken thighs are AMAZING! So juicy and flavorful. Can’t wait to make them again.



    Reply

  7. These are soooo good! So easy to make for a weeknight dinner, and so flavorful. They were a bit salty for our taste so next time I’ll cut down on the salt a bit, but otherwise they were fantastic and will definitely be going into my rotation.



    Reply

  8. These are so good! I make them all the time. Follow directions exactly then cook in my cast iron pan. I make large batches, they are so versatile that you can then use them in a number of ways. Cut up for tacos/quesadillas, eat as is with veggies, make rice bowls, etc.



    Reply

  9. I opted to make this baked at 400F for 30mins (or until internal was 165F) on a baking sheet with parchment paper because I didn’t want to grill or make a mess with splattered oil on the stove. SO YUMMY and easy clean up!

    I served with Mexican corn and salad.



    Reply

  10. Great recipe that comes together as easy and tasteful as it looks!! Definitely a new addition to my weekly rotation



    Reply
  11. Gail M Lampman says:

    Made this for my husband and nephew. Used thighs and drumsticks. It was very flavorful but I tried doing it in the oven and overcooked it a little. Any suggestions on the ovenother than grilling or skillet? Could it possibly be browned in the skillet quickly and then finished in a crockpot wth a little of the marinade. Have a problem with my back and standing a long time is not easy…thus the oven. Delicious healthy tecipe. Thank you, Gail



    Reply

  12. This recipe is so delicious! I had the chicken thighs on top of linguine pasta and it didn’t disappoint at all. I used a grill pan due to not having a grill, and the skin on the chicken thighs were so crispy! The marinade is so simple, can’t wait to add this to my weekly dinner meals rotation.



    Reply
  13. Stephanie says:

    This recipe is incredible! The chicken is so juicy and flavorful. I ended up doing half chicken thighs and half chicken tenderloins. I also grilled them for about 4-5 mins a side and it was perfection. Thanks for an awesome recipe! This will be a go-to in my house!!!



    Reply
  14. Adam Jimenez says:

    I like to BBQ for the smoky hint I will get from the BBQ GRILL. The savor of the cilanto and lime is just out of this world.



    Reply

  15. This recipe is AMAZING!! I made it for the first time last week using chicken breasts because that’s all I had on hand, and I ended up marinading them overnight due to time constraints. I was blown away by the flavor!! I have another recipe for cilantro lime chicken that I’ve made in the past but I really loved the spicy little kick that comes from the red pepper flakes, cumin and paprika in this recipe. I will definitely be making these again and for sure will try with chicken thighs next time!



    Reply
  16. Mackenzie Mojica says:

    Great chicken recipe and it’s EASY! The chicken was flavorful and moist. The marinade was so quick to prepare. Definitely going to make again.



    Reply