A healthy, light and flavorful Cilantro Lime Chicken recipe for those busy weeknights. Baked to perfection in 20 minutes and topped with avocado salsa, it is simply divine. Enjoy on it’s own or along with rice, salad, tacos, quesadillas and more!
Growing up in the 80’s, it seemed there was always a new seasoning or marinade. A packet, a bottle, a shaker, something to make you believe that you couldn’t or shouldn’t do it yourself, but this amazing Cilantro Lime Chicken is made from scratch in minutes with the freshest ingredients.
I think that’s why I’ve always leaned toward my grandmother’s way of cooking over my mother’s – I love the taste of cooking fresh and want to bring it back to basics. That’s exactly what I’m doing in our kitchen with this easy Cilantro Lime Chicken.
This dish a family favorite, though we each enjoy it a little differently. The cilantro lime chicken marinade takes just 5 minutes to make and coat the chicken.
While it’s baking, I shred cheese for my salad and for the girls’ quesadillas to make it quick and easy. Chris loves eating this cilantro lime baked chicken a la carte, topped with avocado salsa and I eat mine on a bed of lettuce.
Cilantro Lime Chicken Ingredients
- Cilantro – Fresh is best, so be sure to purchase it from your grocery store or local farmer’s market. Look for bright green, tender leaves with no evidence of brusing or fading.
- Jalapeño – To tame down the spice factor, remove the seeds and ribs before making the cilantro lime chicken marinade. For a spicy chicken recipe, leave the seeds and ribs intact and look for peppers that have streaks on them. These are heat marks, meaning that pepper is hot!
- Lime Juice – Use fresh lime juice or purchase in the produce or juice aisle of your grocer. You will need about 2-3 limes for this cilantro lime chicken recipe, depending on how juicy they are. To really get all the juice out of your limes, place them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds prior to slicing. The warm lime will give you up to twice as much juice!
- Olive Oil – Any of your favorite brand of olive oil will do. Use Extra Virgin Olive Oil for a lighter and fruitier flavor.
- Minced Garlic – Mincing the garlic before placing in your food processor helps make the marinade come together more easily and prevents the cilantro from bruising. You can also use minced garlic purchased in a jar in the produce section of your grocer.
- Chicken Breasts – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best. If the chicken breasts are on the large side, cut them in half lengthwise to ensure they cook all the way through. For a faster and kid-friendly approach, chicken tenders would work beautifully as well.
How To Make Cilantro Lime Chicken
- Prep – Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Make Marinade – In the bowl of a food processor, add cilantro, lime juice, olive oil and minced garlic. Grind until fine. Alternatively, chop by hand.
- Coat the Chicken – Add half the marinade to a small bowl and coat the chicken. Reserve the other half for garnish.
- Bake – Place the marinated chicken on a baking sheet. Bake 20 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to rest 10 minutes.
- Brush Chicken with the remaining cilantro lime sauce. Enjoy!
I save a little time using a food processor to make the marinade, but don’t fret if you don’t have one, just finely chop the ingredients and stir well.
Serving Suggestions
There are endless ways to serve this juicy chicken!
- Top with Avocado Salsa
- Make Tacos
- Add on top of Chicken Nachos
- Serve on Taco Salad
- In Quesadillas
- Tossed with lettuce and Cilantro Lime Dressing
The lime cilantro chicken also works beautifully with a side of white or brown rice, refried beans, salad greens, or roasted vegetables.
Good and good for you!
If you try this Cilantro Lime Chicken recipe, please come back to share using my 5 star rating in the comments below! Not only do I appreciate it, but I know readers do, too! For more easy recipes and simple living ideas, subscribe to my newsletter!
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Cilantro Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa
Ingredients
- 1 c cilantro (no stems)
- 1/2 jalapeno (remove seeds)
- 1/4 c lime juice
- 1/8 c olive oil
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 4 chicken breasts
Instructions
- Preheat oven 400.
- Meanwhile, add cilantro, jalapeño, lime juice, olive oil and minced garlic to a food processor (not required, but I love it ground fine).
- Add half of the sauce to a small bowl and coat chicken. Place on a baking sheet and bake 20 minutes.
- Remove chicken from the oven and allow to rest 10 minutes (it will continue cooking).
- Brush chicken with remaining cilantro lime sauce.
This is a perfect marinade with the oil, acidic and flavor of the cilantro. I could use that herb everyday and grow it every summer!
Thanks for the recipe! Also thanks for the info about the dish soap. I feel good about using anything plant based, much like you.
Have a great week!
Jane
Made it tonight & it was a hit with my family. Served the chicken over Mexican rice with corn.
Thanks for sharing, Traci! so glad your family enjoyed it as well. Sounds delicious with Mexican rice!
This looks delish! How do I get to the recipe? It is not showing up on my screen?
I am so, so, so sorry about that! When I updated to add nutrition today I accidentally deleted the recipe card. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, it’s back!
Did you include the avocado salsa recipe?
Sorry about that, I just linked to it. Avocado Salsa
I want to make this. It looks so good and it’s gluten free! Important for my daughter and me. Thank you!
It’s so good, but so easy, too! Enjoy!
The recipe looks great…but how do you make the avocado salsa? Avocados are not listed as an ingredient in the cilantro lime chicken recipe.
Hi Elizabeth! Sorry, you can find the avocado recipe here
The chicken definitely doesn’t need it, but adds beautiful color!
I love all of the color in this dish! So many times chicken just looks boring on the plate. You’ve fixed that in such a nice way!
Thank you, Johnna!
Love that avocado salsa!
Julie, thanks for the great, healthy recipe. My husband and I really enjoyed it!
Thanks for sharing, Wendy! I make it most Saturday nights…we’re creatures of habit! This weekend we had it in tacos.
Looks super yum but easy to make too!
It looks so fresh and simple…my favorite dishes! PS We love seventh generation…we use their laundry detergent, dish and dishwasher soap!!
Such a lovely recipe, I love all the pretty fresh green!
I’m always looking for new ways to fix chicken! This looks like a winner!
Julie, the recipe looks delicious! What kind of pan is that?
I could use a good baking pan.
Thanks!
Thanks, Judy! We love it! You can find the pan here. Enjoy!
This looks so delicious! Thanks for sharing at I’m Lovin’ It Link Party.
Thanks, Anita! Have a great weekend!