Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken
A quick and easy Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken recipe. The chicken is perfectly seared on the outside and bursting with juices and flavor from the marinade on the inside.
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Hey, hey! Valentina with Valentina’s Corner sharing our Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe.
Why We Love Cilantro Lime Chicken:
This Mexican-inspired chicken is the PERFECT recipe for summer grilling. The marinade for the chicken has simple ingredients and takes under 5 minutes to prepare. Grilling is one of our favorite ways to cook chicken breast or thighs because it seals in all of the juices and flavor, just like Grilling a Steak!
The combination of zesty lime, cilantro, garlic and a little honey is a clear winner. It’s going to win your family over and get rave reviews.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Chicken-
- Combine the ingredients for the marinade.
- Pour marinade over the chicken and coat. Marinate 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
- Grill chicken over medium heat until cooked through, about 6-8 minutes per side.
- Serve with a wedge of lime to squeeze over sliced chicken and garnish with cilantro.
PRO TIP: The marinade is so delicious, we like to pour some over the chicken as it’s being grilled.
Can I make Cilantro Lime Chicken Ahead?
Due to the amount of lime in the marinade, we don’t recommend marinating for more than 2 hours.
Once the chicken is grilled, store any leftover cooked chicken in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Can I Use Chicken Thighs?
Yes, chicken thighs will work just as great in this recipe. Grill the chicken until the thickest part of the meat has an internal reading of 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.
What to Serve with Cilantro Lime Chicken?
This classic recipe can easily be served with your favorite Mexican-inspired sides. We love to serve the chicken with white rice or our quick mashed potatoes. This cilantro lime chicken pairs well with:
Once you give the grilled cilantro lime chicken recipe a try, it will become a regular on your grilling menu. I love that the recipe is enjoyed by kids and adults alike.
More Grilling Recipes:
We love cooking outdoors in summer because everything seems to taste and smell better on the grill; chicken, beef, seafood, veggies – you name it! If you love firing up the grill in summer, you will love these grilling recipes.
- Grilled Salmon – with garlic lime butter
- Juicy BBQ Chicken Breast – with my sister’s famous marinade
- Honey Garlic Shrimp– in a sweet and tangy sauce.
- Grilled Corn in Foil – you will love the flavored butter
- Grilled Pork Chops– using staple pantry ingredients.
Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine oil, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, salt, pepper, paprika, and honey for the marinade.
- Add the chicken to the mixture and allow to marinate for 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
- Grill chicken 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Serve with a wedge of lime to squeeze over the cooked chicken and garnish with more cilantro if desired.
Nutrition Per Serving
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
Valentina Ablaev
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
Made this tonight and my family LOVED it. I first made the marinade and tasted it- and oh wow are those flavors DELICIOUS together. I liked it so much I quadrupled the marinade recipe. First batch I used for the chicken. The second batch I added to 3 cans of black beans along with some jarred jalapeños and some chicken bullion and cooked on low about an hour. The third batch I added to the rice I was cooking, along with some crushed red pepper and some chicken bullion. The fourth batch I added to the pan drippings (I don’t have a grill so I just pan seared) and made a roux with some half/half, chicken and bullion to put on the chicken and the rice. I can’t wait to make this again- the flavors are AMAZING- if you like flavorful entrees, don’t be afraid to play with this one. Kudos to the chef for combining these flavors!! 💙
Thank you so much for sharing these notes with us!
Delicious. Chicken was moist and tender. Fresh taste. Would definitely make again.
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Cate!
Is it ok to mix this marinade up in the morning to use in the evening if you keep it in the fridge?
Hi Chelle. I think that would be fine.
Thank you. I made the marinade this morning and used it this evening, and it was perfect just like the first time. This is a wonderful recipe.
It’s my pleasure! Glad that you enjoyed it.
Can I put it in the oven instead of grilling? I absolutely love this combination of flavors with chicken. However I don’t have a grill. Is there a way I can either pan sear it or bake it but with all the same ingredients?
Hi Jessica, I haven’t tried this in the oven to advise. If you give it a try in that oven, I would love to know how you like that.
Hi Valentina…& Natasha…
Whole family loved this recipe…
Thx❤️
Hi Sherry! That’s wonderful to hear. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Natasha
Can we bake this
If so what time & temperature
Thx
Hi Sherry, I haven’t tried this in the oven to advise. If you give it a try in that oven, I would love to know how you like that.
400deg farenheit 30 mins or so depending on the size I baked…
Came out great…
Natasha.. 1 question ❤️
can we freeze or how can long we can save opened can of condensed milk…
Thx❤️
Hi Sherry! I’m glad it was great.
To be honest, I don’t know the specifications on storing that. You might try researching it online.
OMG! So juicy and so delicious! I’m definitely a keeper of this recipe. My family finished this grilled chicken in seconds:) Thank you, Natasha!
You’re welcome, Natalia! I’m so glad you loved the recipe.
This is absolutely the best chicken marinade! Thank yo so much Natasha! So darn good!!
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite, Nancy!
Hi Natasha,
This looks so good and I’m going to try to make it, but want to know if using bottled lime juice will be okay or will change the flavor substantially?
Hi Wendy! The flavor in fresh lime is so much better. Bottled tends to be more muted and bitter.
This recipe is excellent!!! I, like one other reviewer used the air fryer. I didn’t have the regular paprika so used smoked paprika..
I served this with a jasmine rice and salad.
Yummy!!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Gracie!
What temperature on a grill or better yet what temp and how long in air fryer mode?
So delicious. I made it with bone in and skin on chicken thighs and it was so tasty. Did it in the air fryer.
Hi David, that’s wonderful! Thanks for sharing.
Hi David,
What temperature and for how long did you cook in the air frier?
Can you or anyone advise on air fryer Temps and times please.
Hi Koch! You can reference my air fryer chicken thighs recipe for times and temperatures. See the “common question” section to adjust the time if you are using boneless. The best way to know when it’s done is to test it with a food thermometer. The internal temperature should reach at least 165ºF (I prefer letting dark meat chicken go to 175˚F).
So is the ground pepper sweet paprika or smoked? Not clear in recipe.
Hi Lois, we used regular paprika for this recipe. It just says “paprika” on the packaging. One of our readers mentioned using smoked paprika also and loved it!
made this for dinner last night , oh wow was it yummy, will be making it again-loved the citrussy flavors
So glad it was enjoyed, thank you for the wonderful review.
Wow I really love this recipe! Chicken comes out so juicy and flavorful – I marinate for at least 2 hours. And, really by accident, I used smoked paprika but I love how it lends a little smoky sweet flavor so I am sticking with that version lol. Thank you for this amazing, easy recipe!!!!
Hi Amanda. That’s wonderful. I love those kinds of mistakes. 🙂 Thank you for sharing your experience with this recipe.
I love your recipes ❤️❤️❤️ I cannot wait to try this
I hope it becomes your new favorite!
This was so easy and so good!! I marinated my chicken for an hour and my husband and kids were impressed. This is my new favorite marinade for chicken.
So glad you found a new favorite recipe! Thank you so much for the review and great feedback.
I love your recipes they are easy and always delicious my daughter will not any kind of meat except chicken I’m sure she will love this recipe.
I hope she loves it, Dorothy!
I wonder if the chicken will still be tasty if I cut the oil in the marinade in half. We’re on WW and I’d like to skim the points a little. Do you think it would be too dry? Should I add something else if I use less oil?
Hi Kris, I haven’t tried those substitutions, so I can’t speak to that. Substitutions may hinder the recipe outcome. I always suggest making a recipe as written the first time around.
Absolutely delicious!!! So much flavor!!! I am going to marinade some shrimp in it.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the wonderful review!
Recipe calls for honey… is that necessary? Could a sugar substitute be used instead or omitted all together?
Hi Tina, I think sugar will work as a substitute. If you try that, please share with us how it turns out.
Made this and omitted the sugar all together… turned out amazing! Great flavor. Will be making this a lot!
Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
I cannot get a lime anywhere could lemon be used
Hi Deborah! It truly is best with lime!
I made this tonight. The chicken was so tasty and tender and moist. Everyone loved it. Thank you Natasha for all your delicious recipes. You are always my go-to. Last night I made the coconut shrimp, a big hit!
I’m so glad this was a hit, Linda! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
Made this tonight with one adjustment…..I always cut my chicken breasts in half through the middle so it grills faster and evenly. The marinade was delicious! I served this with rice pilaf, pico de gallo (mixed some in the rice), and then made your toast for bruschetta but topped it with the pico de gallo. It was a delicious meal! Thank you Natasha for the recipes.
You are very welcome, Victoria. That sounds perfect, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Natasha , love your recipes
Plan on making this dish for party tomorrow. Quick question
I have sweet and hot paprika , which one?
Thanks
Hi Kathy, we use regular smoked paprika for this recipe.
Hi Natasha, I’m your list of ingredients there 3 cloves of garlic, minced. But then in your recipe garlic is missing from the marinade. I take it it’s just a typo description of the method? Garlic should be mixed in with other ingredients, right?
Thank you
Svitlana x
Thank you so much for pointing that out. I appreciate it. You are correct, it goes in with the marinade.
Thank you!! The flavor was so amazing and the chicken so moist!! I marinated chicken breast last week and will marinade chicken thighs today. So delicious!!!
Hi Nancy! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe! It really is THAT good! Thank you for your lovely comment!
Delicious! Thank you.
Do you think we can use the same marinate on a whole chicken?
Thank you!
Thanks, Sue! I haven’t tried that yet but I imagine that will be okay. If you do an experiment, please share with us how it goes!
can i leave it out at room temp if marinating it for 30 min? or do i pop it back in the fridge if i marinate it for longer that and if so, when should i take it out so the chicken will come down to room temp?
Hi Sj, yes, you can marinate it for longer. Several of our readers have done that with very tender chicken outcomes. I recommend leaving it in the fridge for those 30 minutes to ensure your chicken stays at a safe temperature.
If I don’t have fresh cilantro an I use dried from a jor? If so how much. Thanks
Hi Paulette, I have only tried it with fresh cilantro. It may work with dried but I can’t speak to the outcome being the same.
Soooo good! And easy to prepare! I shredded it and put it over some nachos. Best dinner ever! Thanks!
Sounds awesome! Thank you for sharing your great feedback and review with us, Megan!
I have the grill together with my oven.
Is it ok?
I don’t have seperate grill.
Hi Bruria, If you give it a try in that oven, I would love to know how you like that.
Was really good! I forgot to add the garlic because the instructions don’t list it anywhere, it only shows in the ingredients. But that’s equally my fault. Loved the flavor regardless. Will have to try with the garlic next time.
So great to know that you still loved it, Chris. Thank you for your good review!
I was at Meijer after work the other night, ran into cilantro and decided that was it. Cilantro lime chicken for dinner! A quick google search for a recipe led me to your website and I am so happy for that! This is definitely my new go-to for grilled chicken and cannot wait to try it with shrimp as others have said. I actually took the marinade and boiled it vigorously for 7-10 minutes while the chicken was in my Ninja grill. It made the perfect sauce and really set this apart from other chicken recipes I have tried. Eating leftovers today as tacos 🙂 Thank you!
I’m so happy you discovered our blog. Welcome! 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing that wonderful review with me, Jourdan!
Oh my how yummy this was!! Could I make a jar of the marinade to use here and there or would it go bad?
Thank you! I love ALL your recipes!
Hi Lisa, I haven’t tried making the marinade ahead of time so I’m not sure how far ahead you can make it.
This was so delicious did not know what to make for dinner and wanted to make something quick and easy. Everyone loved. Can you please show us how to make sweet potatoes fries, like the ones we get at the restaurants?
Thank you Natasha, for always responding to all our emails.
Hello Hanna, I’m glad you used this recipe to try and so good that you enjoyed it! l don’t have a recipe for Sweet Potato Fries yet but thanks for suggesting that. I’ll add that to the list. For now, I only have this recipe for Oven Baked Potato Wedges.
Omg delicious! The whole family loved it!! Will be making it again for sure!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed that Samira! Thank you for that wonderful review!
Made it tonight for dinner. My picky boyfriend LOVED it! Great flavor. We complimented the chicken with salad. Thank you for this recipe. I will definitely make it again.
Love it! Thanks for sharing your great experience with us, Abegail. I hope that you will both enjoy every recipe that you will try!
I know this says grilled but are you able to make this on the stove?
Hi Lex! Yes, that would work. You just need to cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F
The BEST recipe, full of flavor and sooooo juicy….I made it last night in the Ninja Foodie
I’m so glad you enjoyed that! That’s so great!
Was this grilled on a medium heat? Thanks
Yes that’s right.
I absolutely loved this chicken. It was super flavorful and moist and I liked how the lime taste was not overpowering. I am Puertorrican so I did use adobo seasoning instead of the salt, pepper, and paprika, but it’s only because I don’t know how to use regular salt and pepper lol Other than that, I followed the recipe exactly. Will definitely be making this again!
Sounds great, Rose! So happy to know that you enjoyed this recipe using your own substitute. Thank you for sharing that with us!
This chicken turned out SO good. I marinated it for about 1.5 hours before grilling and the chicken breast was so tender and juicy. I served it with a side of green/purple cabbage tossed in your shrimp taco sauce. This is new a favorite in our home, thank you!
That is so awesome! Thank you for sharing your feedback with us, we’re so glad you found a new favorite!
So easy and so tasty. Thanks for the recipe, all good flavours.
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
Yet ANOTHER keeper! Delicious! Marinated the chicken for just the 30 minutes and it was just right! Quick & easy and oh so flavorful! 🙂
I am so happy to hear that you loved it!
Best ever Cilantro Lime Chicken. I’m very picky and this was the best. Thanks for a great recipe.
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
I am sorry, this one was horrible. Too much lime. Natasha’s receipes are great. But when they came with a someone else’s collaboration-unfortunately not so much.
Hi Sasha, my only thought is maybe you had some extra juicy limes? Different limes have different amounts of juice. Marinating too long can also result in poor results which is why we recommend not marinating more than 2 hours.
That’s the thing- I did it for 2 hours, marinated time. And measured exactly a quarter of a cup of lime juice. This one isn’t for me, sorry! Love your recipes, though.
I love the recipe. Can I use the marinade on shrimp
Hi Lorraine, I haven’t tested that but I bet that could work!
If i dont have a grill can i cook it in a pan or the oven?
Hi Cristina, this recipe is best used as grilled but the options that you mentioned should also work too. I am just not sure it will give the same result compared to if it was grilled.
Did you think about the recipe I want.thanks for your good recipes
Hi Malak, yes we have it on our list. Thank you again for that suggestion.
This was so delicious! The flavors were spot on!
Thank you for your wonderful review April! I’m so happy you enjoyed that!
So yummy! I served it over salad with guac and cilantro ranch lime dressing, and we all loved it!
Yum! I’m craving this now! Thank you for that great review Kara!
This is so amazing! Definitely, easy marinade to make and so flavorful!
Isn’t it so so good! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Matt!