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This cilantro lime chicken is sweet, salty, and citrusy and resembles a simple teriyaki glaze that adds worlds of delicious flavor. My cilantro lime chicken comes together in four simple steps and only takes about 25 minutes to pull together! It’s delicious with veggies or served over cilantro lime rice.
If you’ve enjoyed my cilantro lime salmon in foil or blackened salmon with cilantro lime butter, you will love this savory citrusy combo with chicken!
Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe is prepared by pan-searing chicken thighs in a cast iron skillet until golden and nicely charred. The hot pan is then deglazed with a honey-based sauce, thickening and caramelizing into a sweet, tangy, and sticky sauce.
The cilantro lime marinade consists of honey, cilantro, fresh lime juice, garlic, ground cumin, and chili flakes. The honey will help form a sweet sticky glaze as the sauce simmers and reduces.
If you’re looking for more delicious chicken thigh recipes, try my simple roasted chicken thighs, grilled honey sriracha chicken thighs, and honey garlic chicken thighs!
Ingredients
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs: boneless, skinless thighs are healthier than bone-in thighs and easier to pan-sear. Chicken thighs are more tender and flavorful compared to chicken breasts.
- Lime: fresh lime adds loads of citrus flavor. Use a citrus squeezer to juice the limes, otherwise, it’s very difficult to extract all of the juices you will need.
- Honey: honey adds sweetness and helps to thicken the sauce. Use brown sugar as a substitute but do not omit it entirely.
- Cilantro: fresh cilantro is critical to adding that signature cilantro taste to the dish, however, if you don’t like cilantro, you can substitute it for parsley.
- Soy sauce: you can use a low-sodium sauce for a milder flavor or a darker soy sauce for a richer flavor.
- Garlic: always opt for fresh garlic. I use a microplane to pulverize the garlic into a paste that easily mixes into the sauce.
- Crushed red pepper flakes: chili flakes are optional but add subtle spice and flavor.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities below.
How to Cook Chicken Thighs
Step 1.
Combine lime juice, honey, cilantro, soy sauce, garlic, cumin, and red pepper flakes in a bowl. whisk until combined. Set aside.
Step 2.
Season chicken thighs all over with salt and pepper. Be sure to unroll them so they lie completely flat. Heat olive oil over medium heat. Once warm, add the chicken and sear for about 6-8 minutes (image 2a). Flip and sear for an additional 6-8 minutes (image 2b). Ensure chicken measures at least 165°F at the thickest part.
Quick Tip
Chicken thighs come packaged rolled, making them appear plump and round. unfold the chicken thighs so they lie as flat as possible in the skillet. They will cook quicker and more evenly.
Step 3.
Remove the chicken and place on a plate. Reduce the heat to medium, add the cilantro lime sauce, and deglaze the pan (image 3a). Simmer until thickened, about 3 minutes. Use a spoon to scrape the pan and keep the sauce moving. Once the bubbles increase in size and thicken, the sauce is ready (image 3b).
Step 4.
Return the chicken to the pan and toss in the sauce. Garnish with additional fresh chopped cilantro and serve over cilantro lime rice.
Quick Tip
Ensure the thickest part of the chicken measures 165°F with a digital thermometer. Chicken thighs can be cooked well past 165°F and remain juicy and tender.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. If you decide to grill the chicken, prepare the sauce separately in a small saucepan to simmer and thicken. Drizzle over the chicken after it’s been removed from the grill.
Bone-in chicken thighs are best reserved for roasting in the oven. Because they contain bone, they’re thicker and not as functional for pan-searing.
Yes, I prefer chicken thighs because of their tenderness and flavor however chicken breast or tenders also work.
More Chicken Recipes
Enjoy this recipe? If you made this recipe, please leave a ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ star rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments!
Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoons olive oil, for searing
Cilantro Lime Sauce
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, (1.5-2 limes)
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/3 cup cilantro, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1-2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine lime juice, honey, cilantro, soy sauce, garlic, cumin, and red pepper flakes in a bowl. whisk until combined. Set aside.
- Season chicken thighs all over with salt and pepper. Be sure to unroll them so they lie completely flat. Heat olive oil over medium heat. Once warm, add the chicken and sear for about 6-8 minutes. Flip and sear for an additional 6-8 minutes. Ensure chicken measures at least 165°F at the thickest part.
- Remove the chicken and place on a plate. Reduce the heat to medium, add the cilantro lime sauce, and deglaze the pan. Simmer until thickened, about 3 minutes. Use a spoon to scrape the pan and keep the sauce moving. Once the bubbles increase in size and thicken, the sauce is ready.
- Return the chicken to the pan and toss in the sauce. Garnish with additional fresh chopped cilantro and serve over cilantro lime rice.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is one of our favorite dishes!! With a side of steamable white rice & its heaven on earth!!
Oh the white rice will really set it off!
I haven’t tasted the final result yet but I’m definitely excited! The citrus lime marinade is so good I can literally drink it!!!
I just tasted the final result and it didn’t disappoint! I highly recommend this recipe and it’s so easy for a weeknight!!!
I even like to marinate the chicken in the cilantro lime sauce! Great recipe!
This recipe is amazing. It’s for keeps. Very flavorful and easy to make. I added thin slices of jalapeno to add mor kick and its delicious. I was scared of burning the honey but it caramelized perfectly. Thank you for sharing! 5 star!
Used your excellent directions to pan sear my first ever chicken dish.
As someone who is a complete novice your clear simple style is very appreciated!