Description

This grilled cilantro lime chicken thighs recipe features tender, juicy boneless, skinless chicken thighs marinated in a zesty mixture of lime juice, olive oil, honey, garlic, cumin, and fresh cilantro. Perfectly grilled to juicy perfection, these flavorful chicken thighs are quick to prepare and ideal for a fresh, vibrant meal served with lime wedges and your favorite sides.

Ingredients

Scale

Marinade

¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup lime juice (freshly squeezed)
Zest of 1 lime
1 ½ tablespoons honey
6 cloves garlic (minced)
1 ½ teaspoons cumin
2 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
¼ cup cilantro (finely chopped, plus extra for serving)

Chicken

2 pounds chicken thighs (boneless and skinless, halved and trimmed)
1 lime (cut into wedges for serving)

Instructions

Prepare the marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime zest, lime juice, honey, minced garlic, cumin, kosher salt, and finely chopped cilantro until well combined to form a flavorful marinade.
Marinate the chicken: Cut the chicken thighs in half and trim off any excess fat. Use a fork to prick the chicken pieces all over, which helps the marinade penetrate the meat faster. Add the chicken to the marinade, tossing to coat thoroughly. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes, or for deeper flavor, refrigerate and marinate up to overnight.
Heat the grill or pan: Preheat your grill, cast iron griddle pan, or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat to ensure a hot and even cooking surface.
Cook the chicken: Place the marinated chicken thighs on the hot grill or pan. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes on each side, flipping carefully. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
Serve and garnish: Remove the chicken from the heat and let it rest briefly. Serve the grilled chicken thighs with fresh lime wedges and sprinkle additional chopped cilantro on top for a burst of fresh flavor. Pair with your favorite sides and enjoy!

Notes

Marinating overnight intensifies the flavor and tenderness of the chicken.
If you don’t have a grill, a cast iron skillet or griddle pan works excellently for stovetop cooking.
Pricking the chicken helps the marinade penetrate more deeply, resulting in juicier meat.
Use a meat thermometer to avoid undercooking or overcooking the chicken.
Adjust the amount of honey depending on your preferred sweetness level.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Grilling
Cuisine: American

Keywords: grilled chicken, cilantro lime chicken, chicken thighs, easy dinner, summer grilling, boneless skinless chicken, healthy chicken recipe