Easy Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs Recipe (Grilled, Oven Baked, Pan Seared) - Debz Delicious
Servings: 6 people
Total Time: 1 hour
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Marinate Time 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Easy cilantro lemon chicken thighs are prepared with simple marinade ingredients that are easily found in the kitchen. This recipe using simple ingredients makes the chicken juicy and tender inside while crispy on the outside. Check how to prepare the chicken with cilantro and lime baked in oven, grilled, or pan-seared.
Ingredients
- 6 chicken thighs or breast bone-in and skin-on
- lime slices or wedges for serving optional
- fresh cilantro leaves for serving optional
Mariande
- 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1/4 cup cilantro leaves freshly chopped
- 2 limes juiced and zest
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes optional
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- salt and pepper according to taste
Before Start: If you prepare this, please leave a review and rating to let us know how you liked the recipe! It helps us in our business success and enables us to keep offering free recipes.
Instructions
- Prepare Marinade: First, prepare the marinade, whisk all ingredients in the marinade (2 tablespoons oil, cilantro leaves, lemon juice and zest, garlic, cumin, brown sugar, red chili flakes, and salt, pepper) in a bowl.
- Marinate Chicken: Add the chicken pieces (thighs or breasts) to the marinade prepared. Toss it well to get evenly marinated. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour in the fridge. After marination take the chicken pieces out. Let it settle at room temperature.
To Cook
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 425 deg F (220 deg C)
- Sear Chicken: Keep the ovenproof skillet on medium heat. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Add the chicken pieces along with the marinade. Sear for 4 – 5 minutes with the skin down until golden brownish and crispy. Flip the chicken pieces and sear for another 2 -3 minutes.
- Bake in Oven: Transfer the ovenproof skillet to the oven. Bake the chicken pieces for at least 15 – 20 minutes or till the internal temperature is 165 deg F.
- Serve: Garnish the cilantro lime chicken thighs with cilantro leaves and extra lemon wedges / slices.
To Bake
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 425 deg F (220 deg C)
- Oven Baked: Apply the remaining oil to the baking sheet, add the chicken to it in an even layer. Transfer the baking sheet to the center of preheated oven. Bake for 20 – 25 minutes or till the internal temperature is 165 deg F.
- Serve: Let the it rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. Garnish the baked cilantro lemon chicken thighs with cilantro leaves and extra lime wedges / slices.
To Grill
- Preheat Grill: Preheat the grill /grill pan to medium-high heat, and add the remaining oil to it.
- Grilled: Add the chicken and grill for 6-7 minutes. Then turn over the chicken pieces and grill for another 6 - 7 minutes until golden brown or till the internal temperature shows 165 deg F.
- Serve: Garnish the grilled cilantro lime chicken thighs with cilantro leaves and extra lime wedges / slices.
Notes
- the longer duration the chicken pieces (thighs or breasts) are marinated, the better taste they get.
- To confirm the cooking, take the meat thermometer and check the thickest part of the meat, the interanl temperature should be 165°F.
- if preferred food processor or blender can be used to mix the marinade ingredients.
- it is better to use fresh lime than bottled lime juice. The bottled lime can be bitter.
- little red chili powder or red pepper flakes can be used, to get little heat, its optional.
- honey can be substituted with brown sugar, both are optional.
Did You Make this Recipe?Tag on Instagram @debzrecipes or hashtag #debzrecipes !