Description
Transform fresh cilantro and lime into a vibrant marinade for chicken that elevates any meal with its refreshing flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
- 1 teaspoon lime zest (zest from one lime)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Instructions
- Start by prepping your ingredients. Finely chop the cilantro leaves, squeeze the limes, and mince the garlic cloves.
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the chopped cilantro, olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, minced garlic, ground cumin, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until well blended.
- Place your chicken in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow container. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well-coated.
- Seal the bag or cover the container and refrigerate. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes, preferably 2 to 6 hours.
- When ready to cook, preheat your grill or oven. If grilling, oil the grates; if baking, prepare a tray lined with parchment paper.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess liquid drip off before cooking. Grill or bake until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing to lock in the juices.
Notes
Marinate chicken for no more than 24 hours to prevent it from becoming mushy. Serving suggestions include pairing with vibrant salads or cilantro-infused sides.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg