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Easy Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe for a Fresh, Flavorful Dinner

Easy Cilantro Lime Chicken

Juicy skillet chicken breasts marinated in fresh lime juice, cilantro, garlic, cumin, and paprika. This quick dinner is ready with about 25 to 30 minutes of active time and serves four.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 47 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 4 breasts Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 6 ounces each
Cilantro Lime Marinade
  • 1/4 cup Fresh lime juice, about 2 medium limes
  • 2 tablespoons Olive oil
  • 1/4 cup Finely chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish
  • 3 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon Smoked paprika or regular paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Honey, optional

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Pound thick chicken breasts to an even 1/2- to 3/4-inch thickness. This helps every piece cook at the same rate.
  2. Whisk lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and optional honey in a bowl. Place the chicken in a shallow dish or resealable bag, pour over the marinade, coat well, and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes and up to 2 hours.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the used marinade.
  4. Cook the chicken for about 5 to 8 minutes per side, adding a small amount of oil if needed. Continue cooking until the thickest part reaches 165°F (74°C).
  5. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges before serving.

Notes

Overnight marinating is acceptable, but extended exposure to lime juice can affect the chicken's texture. Never reuse raw chicken marinade unless it has been boiled thoroughly. For a fresher lime finish, reserve unused marinade before adding the chicken or squeeze lime juice over the cooked chicken.