Description
These Charred Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs are a flavorful and easy-to-make dish perfect for summer grilling. The combination of zesty lime, fresh cilantro, and warm spices creates a delicious marinade that infuses the chicken with amazing taste. Grilled to perfection, these chicken thighs are juicy on the inside and charred on the outside, making them a crowd-pleasing main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Thighs:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Marinade:
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For Serving:
- Lime wedges
- Extra chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl or resealable bag, combine lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the marinade, toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for deeper flavor.
- Grill the Chicken: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from the marinade, let excess drip off. Grill chicken for 5–7 minutes per side until charred and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Rest and Serve: Transfer chicken to a plate, let rest for 5 minutes. Serve with lime wedges and additional cilantro if desired.
Notes
- This chicken pairs well with rice, grilled vegetables, or in tacos.
- If a grill isn’t available, you can bake the chicken at 425°F for 25–30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 370 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg
