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Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe

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3.8 from 5 reviews

This Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken recipe offers a zesty and fragrant flavor, combining fresh lime juice, cilantro, and a touch of honey marinade to deliver juicy and tender chicken thighs with a perfectly charred finish. Ideal for summer cookouts or flavorful weeknight dinners, it’s simple to prepare and full of vibrant tastes.

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 3 pounds skinless chicken thighs

Marinade

  • 4 limes, zested and juiced
  • 1 cup roughly chopped cilantro leaves and stems
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Garnish

  • Extra cilantro, for garnish
  • Lime wedges, for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs and place them into a large freezer bag, setting them aside briefly.
  2. Make the Marinade: In the bowl of a food processor, combine lime juice, lime zest, chopped cilantro, olive oil, honey, cumin, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Process for about 30 seconds until the mixture is well blended.
  3. Marinate the Chicken: Pour all but 1/3 cup of the prepared marinade into the bag with the chicken. Seal the bag and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, up to overnight for enhanced flavor infusion.
  4. Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high heat, approximately 450°F, leaving one side at a lower temperature or off to create a two-zone cooking environment.
  5. Grill the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs over the direct heat side and grill for 5-6 minutes per side, turning once during cooking. On the final turn, baste each side with the reserved marinade to amplify the flavor and moisture.
  6. Adjust Cooking if Needed: If the chicken begins to char too much before cooking through, move the pieces to the cooler side of the grill to finish cooking gently without burning.
  7. Rest the Chicken: Remove from grill and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness.
  8. Serve: Plate the grilled chicken with lime wedges and extra cilantro. Drizzle the reserved marinade over the chicken before serving for an extra burst of freshness.

Notes

  • Marinating overnight will deepen the flavors but a minimum of 30 minutes is sufficient for a tasty result.
  • Use a two-zone grilling setup to prevent the chicken from burning while cooking through.
  • Skinless chicken thighs are preferred for tenderness and quicker cooking; bone-in thighs can be used but may require longer cooking time.
  • Reserve some marinade before adding to the chicken to use for basting and serving since the marinade that contacts raw chicken should not be reused directly.
  • Letting the chicken rest after grilling enhances moisture retention and juiciness.

Find it online: https://cookedbygrace.com/grilled-cilantro-lime-chicken-recipe/