Quick Cilantro Lime Chicken Marinade

Name: Quick Cilantro Lime Marinade
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: ¼ cup lime juice; 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided); ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro; ½ teaspoon ground cumin; 1 small garlic clove (grated); ¼ teaspoon salt; 2 lbs chicken (breasts or thighs)

Recipe

20 minutes is all it takes to transform your chicken into an epic meal with this delicious cilantro lime marinade.

This cilantro lime chicken marinade comes together in 5 minutes, flavors chicken in as little as 20 minutes, and works with breasts, thighs, drumsticks, or wings. It’s fresh, zesty, and one of the easiest ways to make juicy, flavorful chicken.

overhead view of cooked chicken thighs marinated in a cilantro-lime marinade

Cilantro Lime Marinade for Chicken

Laura fuentes holding a skillet of food standing in front of a blue door

My son raves about this cilantro-lime marinade every time I make it, and rightfully so! It’s fresh and full of flavor, and it can transform your chicken thighs and breasts. And because I’m one of those “go big or go home” types, I often serve it with cilantro lime rice. If this flavor is your go-to, you’ll love this quick marinade recipe.

Ingredients

All great marinades contain a fat, salt, acid, and seasonings, and this cilantro-lime chicken marinade is one of them. The acid of fresh lime juice makes the meat more tender and flavorful when cooked. Olive oil is the fat that coats the chicken. The seasonings are ground cumin, garlic, and salt. Finally, finely chopped cilantro for more flavor.

How to Make Cilantro Lime Chicken Marinade

Make the marinade.
Combine all the marinade ingredients in a large bowl or zip bag.
Marinate.
Add the chicken breasts or thighs, and transfer them to the fridge. Marinate for 15 to 20 minutes, up to 4 hours.

side by side steps for a cilantro chicken marinade. on the left, the cilantro lime marinade ingredients have been mixed in one bowl, on the right, the chicken thighs are coated in the marinade

Cook the chicken.
Follow the recipe to cook the chicken breasts or thighs. It can also be grilled. Discard the cilantro-lime marinade.⁠

How Long to Marinate Chicken in Lime Juice

You’ll need 15 to 20 minutes to add flavor to your chicken. Anything longer than 4 hours isn’t needed, since the acid in the marinade will begin to break down the protein, making it chewier.

Laura’s Tips for the Best Cilantro Lime Chicken

Can I use bottled lime juice?

Fresh lime juice gives this marinade its bright, fresh flavor, so it’s my first choice. If bottled lime juice is all you have, it’ll still work, but the flavor won’t be quite as vibrant.

How much chicken can I marinate at once?

This recipe yields enough marinade to marinate about 2lbs of chicken, breasts or thighs.

Can I leave marinated chicken on the counter?

No. Raw chicken should always marinate in the refrigerator, not on the counter. Unless you’re getting ready to cook it and you added the chicken to the marinade cold. Then, you can let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes, while it marinates and the chicken comes to room temperature before it gets cooked.

Can I marinate chicken overnight?

I don’t recommend marinating chicken in this cilantro lime marinade for longer than 4 hours. Since fresh lime juice is acidic, leaving the chicken in it for too long can break down the meat and make it less tender. If you want to prep ahead, freeze the chicken in the marinade instead.

Can I freeze this cilantro lime marinade?

Yes. You can freeze the marinade on its own or add it to a freezer bag with the chicken. As the chicken thaws in the refrigerator, it’ll marinate at the same time, making dinner even easier.

What’s the best way to cook the chicken?

You can cook cilantro lime chicken in a skillet, on the grill, or in the oven. My favorite is the stovetop because it’s quick and gives the chicken beautifully golden edges while keeping it juicy inside. Grilling is another great option if you’re cooking outdoors.

Always See My Recipes In Google

Quick Cilantro Lime Marinade

Servings: 4

Prep Time: 5

Marinate:: 20

Cook Time: 15

Total Time: 40

20 minutes is all it takes to transform your chicken into an epic meal with this delicious cilantro lime marinade.

5 from 36 votes

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Watch how it’s made:

Ingredients

¼ cup lime juice
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
½ teaspoon ground cumin
1 small garlic clove, grated
¼ teaspoon salt
2 lbs chicken, breasts or thighs

Instructions

Make the marinade:

Combine the lime juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, chopped cilantro, cumin, garlic, and salt in a large bowl or zip bag. Add the chicken and toss to coat.

Marinate:

Marinate the chicken for 20 minutes or up to 4 hours in the fridge. If you want to make this ahead of time, make the marinade 1 day in advance, then combine it with the chicken the day you want to cook it.

Cook the chicken:

Breasts, in a pan: Heat a large skillet, add some olive oil, and cook the chicken breasts for 5 to 7 minutes per side, until the internal temperature reaches 165F. Discard the marinade. Remove the chicken from the pan and let it rest 5 minutes before slicing or serving.
Thighs, in the oven: preheat the oven to 425F. Sear the chicken thighs in an oven-safe skillet for about 3 minutes per side. Arrange the chicken thighs, skin-side up, and bake them for 17 to 20 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 175F. Here is the full recipe.