These Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs are my favorite chicken for enchiladas and more! I love to use these perfectly flavored chicken thighs for tacos, chimichangas, quesadillas, burritos, and taquitos, too!
These perfectly seasoned cilantro lime chicken thighs are just right for a Mexican-themed meal!
Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe
My family is absolutely hooked on these tangy chicken thighs! They're a great recipe to use when you don't have a ton of time, and want a break from the usual ground beef tacos!
Allow a little bit of time for these chicken thighs to soak in the cilantro lime marinade, and the rest is done in a flash! They're a super easy dinner meal to make and the whole family will love them too!!
How To Make Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs
Cilantro Lime Marinade for Chicken
In a medium bowl, combine the olive oil, lime juice ( with pulp ), chopped cilantro, finely minced garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
Whisk the marinade ingredients together until thoroughly combined, then place the chicken in the bowl of marinade and turn the chicken pieces to coat them well. Allow to soak for at least an hour ( longer is always better, but an hour will work ).
Pan Fried Chicken Thighs
After marinating the chicken thighs for an hour or more, heat a large skillet or frying pan to medium high heat. Once the skillet or frying pan is nice and hot, add the chicken ( marinade and all ) and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side.
Cook both sides until they take on a nice golden coloring, then cover the skillet or frying pan and reduce the heat to medium. Cook the cilantro lime chicken thighs, covered, and on medium heat for about 10 minutes.
Check the cooking chicken for done-ness and remove any pieces that are fully cooked. My smaller thighs may be done at this 10 minute mark, while my largest chicken thighs can take an additional 5 minutes of cooking while covered.
Remove the thighs from the skillet or frying pan and serve immediately, with optional garnish, if desired (I like to squeeze fresh lime on our chicken tacos!).
It is also an option to place your oven safe skillet in a preheated oven at 425 ºF ( 220 ºC ) and finish your chicken thighs in the oven after they have been pan seared. Allow the chicken to cook, uncovered, in the oven for 10 - 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 ºF ( 75 ºC ) as read by a digital meat thermometer.
Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
To cook your cilantro lime chicken thighs in the oven, preheat your oven to 425 ºF ( 220 ºC ). Spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper.
Place the marinated chicken thighs on the baking sheet and transfer them to the center of your preheated oven. The chicken thighs are done in about 20 minutes, or when the internal temperature reaches 165 ºF ( 75 ºC ) as read by a digital meat thermometer.
Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs (boneless, skinless)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil (extra virgin)
- 2 Tbsp lime juice (fresh, squeezed, include the pulp)
- 4 Tbsp cilantro (fresh, finely chopped stems and leaves)
- 3 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp each, salt & pepper (to taste)
- lime wedges & cilantro (for garnish, if desired)
Instructions
Cilantro Lime Marinade for Chicken
- Combine marinade ingredients in a medium bowl: whisk the olive oil, lime juice (and pulp), cilantro, finely minced garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper until thoroughly combined. Place the chicken thighs into the marinade and allow to marinate for at least an hour.
Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs
- Heat a large skillet or frying pan to medium high heat. Once heated, add the marinated chicken and sear both sides for 3-4 minutes until they get a nice bit of color. When both sides have seared and have a nice golden color, cover the skillet or frying pan.
- Reduce the heat to medium and check the thighs for done-ness after about 10 - 15 minutes (our smaller pieces were done at this 10 minute mark, the largest took an additional 5 minutes cooking covered at medium heat).
- Remove from heat and serve immediately, with optional garnish of lime wedges and cilantro, if desired.
Nutrition
Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!
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