One Pan Cilantro Lime Chicken
The weather is getting a little warmer in Houston and I am here craving all the fresh flavors. Mexican-inspired recipes is one of the first things that come to mind when I am day dreaming about a pool day, cold beers and grilling out. Although the weather is not “grilling out” perfect yet, I thought it would be fun to improvise and create this light and bright One Pan Cilantro Lime Chicken. The marinade in this recipe takes the chicken thighs to the next level. Juicy in the inside and gold and crispy on the outside. If you are not convinced yet, keep on reading so you can try it yourself.
What makes this Cilantro Lime Chicken so special?
Well, let me tell you.
- First of all, the simple combination of cumin, garlic, cilantro, paprika, pepper and lime juice makes wonders for this recipe. The chicken is infused with these flavors to make it unbelievably tasty and tender. Just as a side note, the longer you let it marinade, the better it will taste.
- It takes literally 30 minutes altogether to have this dish ready on your table. 15 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook, that’s it. I don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty good to me, specially after a long day at work.
- If you happen to be reading this during spring or summer, feel free to take the cooking outdoors. Follow the preparation steps as instructed and then cook on the grill. Cook the chicken until golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Last but not least, this recipe can be easily adapted for meal prep. Prepare a big batch of chicken during the weekend and enjoy the leftovers for lunch during the week.
So there you have it, a light and delicious meal to easily transition into Spring. Enjoy!
One Pan Cilantro Lime Chicken
Ingredients
- 7 chicken thighs, skin on and bone in
- 2 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp lime zest
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1/2 cup fresh chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Add garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, lime zest, 1/4 cup of cilantro, 1 tbsp olive oil and lime juice to a large bowl. Combine well.
- Add chicken and toss all ingredients until very well combined. Marinade for 30 minutes or up to 8 hours refrigerated.
- When ready to cook, use a skillet to heat the remaining olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken (skin side down) and cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side. Assure that skin is golden and crispy before turning. Add salt if needed.
- When chicken is fully cooked, top with remaining cilantro and squeeze lime juice.
- Serve with a side rice, your vegetable of choice and extra lime wedges. Enjoy!