Firing up the grill is one of the easiest ways to get a healthy meal on the table in just minutes! Another plus is that grilling results in less mess and less dishes. And honestly, you just can’t beat the savory flavor of grilled meats, which is why it’s one of my favorite cooking methods.
This super easy Cilantro Lime Chicken recipe is my new go-to favorite. I love that I can make the marinade ahead of time, which means even faster turn-around time on busy weeknights! I also throw some veggies on the grill at the same time for a simple side dish that complements the chicken perfectly and adds a boost of nutrition!
Dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to delicious and healthy. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create simple dishes just bursting with flavor! And remember you can always save even more time by grilling extra chicken that you can use to create other easy weeknight meals, like grilled chicken pizza or chicken & veggie quesadillas! Yum!
For an extra burst of summer flavor, top this tasty citrus-infused grilled chicken with a heaping spoonful of Fresh Strawberry Salsa – the perfect balance of sweet and spicy! Yum!
Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (I use ButcherBox)
- 3 cups loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 medium jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
- 1 Tbsp lime zest (about 2 limes)
- 2 Tbsp lime juice (about 2 limes)
- 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Place chicken thighs in a 9x9-inch baking dish; set aside.
- Place remaining ingredients into a blender or food processor in the order given. Cover and process on low until fine chopped and blended.
- Transfer 1/2 cup of the cilantro-lime marinade to a small bowl. Evenly distribute the remaining marinade over the chicken, making sure to well coat.
- Cover chicken and refrigerate for 30 minutes to one hour. Then remove from fridge and pre-heat grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill chicken about 3-4 minutes, until the edges become opaque. Then flip the chicken over and brush with reserved marinade. Reduce heat to medium and cover grill. Continue cooking until chicken is cooked through. Enjoy!
I was wondering if it’d be ok to marinate this longer? I usually marinate chicken for several hours but wasn’t sure? Thanks!
Hi, Laurie. When using citrus in marinades, we have to be careful of over-marinating because it will change the texture of the meat. With poultry, it can become soggy. Here are some helpful guidelines from What’s Cooking America, a helpful online cooking instructional site:
Marinades that contain citrus juices, especially lemon or lime juice, should be used for only 2 hours or less. Be careful when using acidic marinades in general. Foods left too long in these blends can change color and texture. Fish fillets, for example, can change in a matter of minutes.
I hope this helps! 🙂 Thanks for your excellent question! With blessings, Kelly 🙂