Description
A zesty and flavorful Cilantro Lime Chicken recipe featuring juicy grilled chicken breasts marinated in fresh lime juice, cilantro, and garlic for a vibrant, tangy taste perfect for a healthy main course.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts (about 7-8 ounces each)
Marinade
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 4 limes (juiced)
- 1/2 tablespoon coarse salt
- Black pepper (to taste)
For Cooking
- 1 tablespoon oil (for grilling)
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped fresh cilantro, minced garlic, lime juice, coarse salt, and black pepper. Stir well to mix all ingredients thoroughly.
- Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken breasts to the marinade, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to infuse.
- Prepare the chicken for grilling: Remove the chicken from the marinade and pat each breast dry with paper towels to prevent excess moisture. Drizzle with a tablespoon of oil to keep the chicken from sticking to the grill.
- Preheat the grill: Heat your grill to high temperature to ensure quick searing and nice grill marks on the chicken.
- Grill the chicken: Place the chicken breasts on the hot grill and cook for 5 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Use a meat thermometer for accuracy to ensure the chicken is safe to eat and juicy.
- Serve: Once cooked through, remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before serving to retain juices and enhance flavor.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of honey or a pinch of cumin to the marinade.
- If you don’t have a grill, you can cook the chicken on a stovetop grill pan or bake it at 400°F for 20-25 minutes until cooked through.
- Marinating overnight intensifies the flavors even more.
- Use fresh lime juice for the best tangy flavor.
- Letting the chicken rest after cooking helps keep it moist and tender.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (about 7-8 ounces)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
