Fiesta Lime Chicken
Zesty lime-marinated chicken with garlic, cilantro, and a touch of honey. Ready in about 35 minutes and perfect for rice bowls, tacos, or salads.
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 1 ½ lb boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts (about 4 pieces)
- 2 limes juice and zest
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder or smoked paprika
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes or 1 small jalapeño finely chopped, Optional
For serving
- Cooked rice or warm tortillas
- Sliced avocado
- Lime wedges
- Extra chopped cilantro
- Quick slaw or chopped tomatoes optional
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together lime juice, lime zest, minced garlic, olive oil, honey, cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, and cilantro. Add jalapeño or red pepper flakes if using.
- Place the chicken in a shallow dish or zip-top bag and pour the marinade over it, massaging to coat. Marinate 15–30 minutes at room temperature or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.
- Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat with a tablespoon of oil, or preheat a grill to medium-high and oil the grates.
- Remove excess marinade and cook thighs 5–6 minutes per side (breasts 6–7 minutes per side) until charred at the edges and an instant-read thermometer reads 165°F. Let rest 5 minutes.
- Slice the chicken, squeeze extra lime over the top, scatter cilantro, and serve with rice or warm tortillas, avocado, and lime wedges.
Notes
- Marinating longer (up to 2 hours) adds more flavor but isn’t required.
- Reserve a little marinade before tossing with raw chicken if you want to make a finishing glaze (simmer it first).
- Thighs stay juicier; breasts are leaner but cook faster — watch the temperature.
Nutrition
Calories: 360kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 36gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 420mgSugar: 6g
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