Crispy Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe (2024)

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BY Karina PUBLISHED April 15, 2019 UPDATED March 19, 2020 | 66 Comments

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Our Crispy Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe is full of incredible flavour! Juicy on the inside bone-in chicken thighs with agolden, crispy skin!

Mexican-inspired Crispy Cilantro Lime Chicken that marinates in no time thanks to a rich-in-flavour sauce. Garlic, cilantro and lime takes simple oven baked chicken thighs and turns them into a mouth-watering recipe thanks to all of those flavours mixing through the incredible pan drippings!

SUCCULENT CHICKEN THIGHS RECIPE!

No need to go anywhere or get take out when you can have juicy and crispy chicken on your tablein no time with everyone feasting on some incredible chicken! The sauce is so good you’ll be licking your plates clean!

HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN

With simple ingredients you may already have on hand that create some explosive flavours in this chicken.:

Fresh lime —use fresh lime juice for the best flavour. Don’t go for the bottled stuff.
Cilantro —substitute with fresh parsley if you don’t like cilantro.
Garlic — you could use green onions/scallions (about 1/4 cup chopped) instead of garlic if you prefer
Red chili flakes — if you don’t like a bit of heat, leave it out all together. Or for more heat, add more!
Brown sugar — you can also use honey if you prefer. I love brown sugar in this. It balances out the acidity of the lime juice.
Cumin

CHICKEN THIGHS OR BREASTS?

I used bone-in, skin on thighs in this recipe, but you can use skinless and boneless chicken breasts if you prefer.The cooking time will change slightly, depending on the size and thickness of your chicken breasts. Chicken always needs to be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

SIDES:

Cowboy Caviar
Smashed Potatoes

Even though there are many Cilantro Lime recipes out there, I KNOW you guys will love and appreciate this one. Because CRISPY SKIN wins food lovers over EVERY SINGLE TIME.

WATCH HOW WE MAKECrispy Cilantro Lime Chicken

Crispy Cilantro Lime Chicken is juicy on the inside, golden and crisp on the outside, cooked in mouth watering flavourful pan drippings!

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Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 30 minutes mins

Total: 45 minutes mins

Serves: 6 people

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil divided
1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice (Juice of 2 limes)
1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro
1 teaspoon red chili (or pepper) flakes
4 cloves garlic minced
2 teaspoons brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
6 bone-in skin-on (or off) chicken thighs
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh cilantro leaves to serve
Lime slices or wedges to serve

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
In a medium-sized shallow bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons olive oil together with the lime juice, chopped cilantro, chili flakes, garlic, sugar and cumin. Add the chicken thighs to the marinade and toss to evenly coat. Cover and refrigerate thighs for 15 minutes.
Heat the remaining one tablespoon of oil in a non stick pan or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add in the thighs along with any marinade left over in the bowl, and sear chicken -- skin-side down -- for 4 minutes on each side until golden and crispy (chicken will not be fully cooked).
Transfer to preheated oven and bake until the chicken is cooked through (about 15-20 minutes).
Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and lime slices or wedges.
Serve over steamed rice or cauliflower rice, and drizzle with the pan juices.

Nutrition

MEAL PLAN WEEK 51 »

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Michael says
January 01, 2024 at 10:46 am

I use this at home topped with Mango salsa and served with black beans and cilantro lime rice. We also serve it up when we’re camping in the Dutch oven. My wife doesn’t like cumin, so substituted w/smoked paprika. Always a favorite and chicken thighs are perfect for this! Thanks!
Reply
Christina E says
September 12, 2023 at 1:53 pm
Wow! I am so impressed with the flavor of this! I didn’t have cumin so I used a sazon packet and then I broiled for extra crispiness! I’m so excited that I found this lol! Soo good! Thank you for sharing!
Reply
lee says
July 29, 2023 at 12:27 am

I made carnitas last week and had leftover, tomatillo salsa, pickled red onions and chopped cilanto – so I was looking for a recipe to use those leftover elements in a meal and came across this recipe. I happened to also have a package of bone-in, skin-on thighs in the freezer and a box of Zatarain’s Cilantro Lime Rice. Wow! I made the marinade yesterday morning & let the thighs marinate about 4 hours. Last night we had two of the thighs cooked in the air fryer at 380 for 17 minutes with the rice side topped with salsa, pickled red onions and cilantro. Delicious! Can’t wait to have the remaining 2 thighs tonight. I am sometimes disappointed by marinades that don’t really seem to flavor the meat. This marinade did not disappoint. We had a restaurant quality dinner that started with pickled red onions I just had to use.
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Val says
July 19, 2023 at 1:29 pm

I made this delicious dish tonight and will keep it in the rotation. Thank you for sharing it!
Reply
Allison says
May 09, 2023 at 6:10 am

I always come back to this recipe and I pair it with the beans and rice.
So good simple and healthy
Reply
BarbaraB says
November 10, 2022 at 9:50 am

This was delicious! Perfect to make one evening for dinner. I can’t wait to try more of your recipes!
Reply
Wanda says
July 30, 2022 at 1:49 am

I have made this dish about 5 times and never fails everyone loves it, I made it for my wedding of 150 guest and no one complaint, my 14 yr old son when he visits his dad always calls me to get the recipe so that he can make it, I have it on our weekly menu of meals to make. I make it with Spanish rice.
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Jess says
May 20, 2022 at 9:59 am

My whole family, toddler included, LOVES this chicken. We make it as you instructed, but we also make it with chicken breasts and use it for fajitas. This chicken with peppers and onions, topped with guac is amazing!
Reply
Noelle says
May 01, 2022 at 11:47 pm

Absolutely delicious. I made with cilantro lime rice & sautéed onions and peppers. I will definitely be making this again! Thank you for ANOTHER great recipe to add to the rotation!
Reply
Kendal says
December 05, 2021 at 12:00 pm

I rarely leave a review but OH MAN this was delicious. Only thing I changed was I added honey to the marinade and let it marinate for about 2 hours. It came out of the oven so delicious!!! Served it over cilantro rice and with a strawberry/walnut/goat cheese salad. So yummy! New favorite.
Love all of your recipes 🙂
Reply
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Becca says
March 17, 2021 at 11:52 pm

Full of flavor, crisp, and juicy – excellent easy recipe and a family favorite. I’ve shared your recipe with many people bc it is so good. Ty
Reply
Debbie Greene says
December 28, 2020 at 11:59 am

I made this recipe tonight, it was amazing. I marinated it longer (3 hours) and added the zest of the lime. Oh my goodness, I would and I will make this again and I will! Thanks so much!
Reply
Emma says
October 28, 2020 at 7:17 pm

Delicious, especially when combined with the black beans and rice. At dinner tonight the comments just kept on coming. This one will defiantly be done again. The rice is so full of flavour and the lime chicken is melt in your mouth.
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Tom says
August 27, 2020 at 8:15 am

I love this recipe, I served it over deep fried corn tortilla chips delish
Reply
Joey says
June 17, 2020 at 1:49 am

This has become one of my favorite chicken recipes!!! And believe me that is saying something. Fresh and clean and I love the lime and cilantro
Also….perfect to grill out simply because it doesn’t take long so there’s more time to visit with friends rather than get stuck at the grill (and its perfect with a margarita)
Reply
Magayon says
May 23, 2020 at 11:32 am

I did exactly what your instructions were. It turned out pretty good! Delicious and it was a hit! Wish I can add a picture.
Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Reply
SweetTea says
February 04, 2020 at 10:49 am

Very good! Tried with chicken thighs, chicken breast, and super firm tofu cubes. Very easy to make and so good that I printed this recipe for my international pen pal. Good dinner recipes that are easy to make are a global need.
Reply
Ali says
December 31, 2019 at 12:59 pm

Thank you for sharing! I made this chicken along with some brown rice and it was perfection!! I’m saving this one.
Reply
Wanda says
November 07, 2019 at 2:13 pm

Made this Cilantro Lime chicken tonight with chicken breasts that I cut into 3rds (2 large skinless boneless). It was so delicious I’m saving it on your website and am anxious to try another recipe! Thank you for sharing your time with us!! From Colorado!!
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Cindy Feaster says
September 28, 2019 at 6:03 am
Hi, thank you so much for sharing your recipes!!! you are amazing, and your recipes are excellent!! my daughter, and I made your Dijon Chicken last week for my birthday, and Happy Birthday to me!! I was completely surprised that the recipe called for no changes on my end, it was seasoned so well, you recipes are perfection just by looking at the pictures alone, thank you for helping make my birthday so special, I felt like I was eating at a restaurant at home, God bless!
Reply
Tina Mosqueda says
July 08, 2019 at 2:15 pm

I HAD to leave a review because it was just that good!!! I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out perfectly, crisp and full of flavor. It almost tasted grilled, new favorite!
Reply
elisabeth says
April 25, 2019 at 7:28 am

Amazing flavor!
Reply
Theresa Larose says
April 22, 2019 at 2:39 am

I made your black beans and rice as a side for your crispy cilantro lime chicken. The recipes were easy to follow. Everyone loved it.
Reply
Kate Berkey says
April 16, 2019 at 8:34 pm
I was looking for a chicken recipe for the whole family and I stumbled on this article. I read and followed the instructions carefully and I made it deliciously! Every member of my family is so happy! Thanks for this!
Reply
- Karina says
  April 19, 2019 at 1:01 pm
  Thank you, Kate!
  Reply
Natalie says
April 14, 2019 at 2:19 am
Is it ok to marinate it longer than 15 minutes? Maybe 2-3 hours?
Thank you for the recipe!
Reply
Belle says
April 02, 2019 at 8:50 am

Everything I have tried here has been a 5 star. My sister is clueless in the kitchen and so I am double cooking and sending her some of these on dry ice.
Reply
Elizabeth says
April 01, 2019 at 12:27 pm

Really easy and tasted great
Reply
Lisa says
April 01, 2019 at 4:06 am
I would like to try my air fryer with this recipe. Has anyone else attempted it? It does make food crispy.
Reply
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- Tina says
  January 19, 2020 at 9:42 am
  Did you try it? Did you like it?
  Reply
- Jessica says
  July 18, 2022 at 5:24 am
  I always use my air fryer but it also has a bake option and it comes out juicier than it does in the oven
  Reply
Deb. Beaumont says
March 23, 2019 at 8:10 pm

Yum. this was absolutely delicious. thankyou.
Reply
ALISA says
March 11, 2019 at 2:42 pm

Very easy to follow and super delicious!!!
Reply
Emily says
February 02, 2019 at 12:08 pm

I used honey instead of brown sugar to make this keto/paleo. I also baked the chicken on a metal cooling rack set on a cookie sheet so it was nice and crispy! Served over cauliflower rice with sweet potato fries. So delicious!!
Reply
- Alicia says
  June 20, 2023 at 10:00 am
  Did you fry at all, or just placed on rack right after marinated.
  Reply
Ebony says
January 31, 2019 at 2:39 am

This was very delicious and is now my go to recipe for cilantro lime chicken. I served with Mexican fiesta corn on the side.
Reply
Laurie S says
January 26, 2019 at 12:47 pm

Made this today. Fried double the time in the recipe to get crispy crust and baked skin up for 25 minutes then turned off and left in oven while preparing rice and Bush’s Fiesta Black Beans. There was nothing left of the marinade to put over the rice, but was excellent with the Bush’s Fiesta black beans. Love this recipe.
Reply
Kay says
January 21, 2019 at 7:28 am

Love this! I’m a self-admitted lazy cook and this was super easy to make without compromising on flavour. I didn’t have cumin so I substituted with garam masala and it worked out well.
Reply
Rebecca says
January 10, 2019 at 3:34 am

Love this recipe! I have made it many times. However, even though I follow the recipe I can never seem to get the skin crispy. How do you get the skin to be crispy instead of just flabby?
Reply
- Elexus Rose-Chong says
  February 06, 2019 at 5:28 am
  You could try frying the chicken a tad bit longer
  Reply
- Tina says
  January 19, 2020 at 9:48 am
  Make sure your pan is hot, skin side down first, and don’t add any extra marinade to the pan at the initial cooking. I can only fit two thighs in my pan at one time, they should not touch each other. The high heat will render the fat from the skin but if you have too much chicken in the pan at one time the fat can’t render properly so you are steaming the chicken instead of frying the chicken. After all your chicken is in the oven you can cook any remaining marinade. Crispy skin be yours!
  Reply
Melissa Bettes says
December 11, 2018 at 9:59 am

Well, I screwed up and got chopped basil instead of cilantro. Put it in the recipe …. not bad. When I make it again, will make sure to use cilantro & maybe add more lime juice. Despite, my mess up, still a great meal. The chicken was so moist!! Thanks!
Reply
- Karina says
  December 14, 2018 at 7:08 pm
  Hi Melissa!
  Well its great to hear that your substitution turned out well! Thanks for the feedback. I am so glad that you liked the recipe. Thanks so much for following along with me! xo
  Reply
Angela says
October 10, 2018 at 9:21 am

This turned out great, I used bottled lime juice and 4 tbls is sweet chili sauce and taco seasoning along with salt and pepper to taste. It is def a keeper. Thanks for sharing.
Reply
Jean says
August 17, 2018 at 4:00 am
I made this tonight. I pretty much followed the recipe except after I seared the chicken for 5 mins, I lifted the chicken out of the pan and added baby potatoes and browned for 5 mins. I then added the chicken back to the pan and popped it all in the oven. Amazing!! Tasted so good and such an easy one pan dinner.
Reply
Debbi says
November 14, 2017 at 1:56 pm
This was amazing! Thumbs up from the entire family! Thanks so much for sharing!
Reply
- Karina says
  November 17, 2017 at 7:44 pm
  So good to hear Debbi! Thank you for sharing that with me!
  Reply
  - Shigy says
    April 30, 2019 at 3:30 pm
    Can we use this recipe for Salmon?
    Reply
Veronica says
July 04, 2017 at 6:32 am

Made this 4 times and it’s delicious !
Reply
Ashley@ Gibby Home says
May 20, 2017 at 10:38 am

This is perfect for those summer nights! Thanks for the post and the idea!
Reply
Kasey says
May 19, 2017 at 6:59 am
I love the recipe’s but no calories are posted
Reply
- Karina says
  May 19, 2017 at 7:07 am
  Hi Kasey. There are many different on line calculators you can use to work them out.
  Reply
jean oleson says
May 05, 2017 at 5:57 am
This looks so good!.Is it possible to use boneless chicken breasts instead?
Reply
- Betty Agnew says
  January 10, 2019 at 10:07 am
  
  Yes, the cook time will be longer because the meat is thicker than bone in.
  Reply
  - Lorraine says
    June 25, 2019 at 6:20 am
    I have found that boneless breasts cook FASTER than bone-in thighs.
    Reply
Amy says
May 04, 2017 at 5:56 am

Looks good! Going to make tonight. Funny the video shows parsley as an ingredient but the written recipe doesnt mention it.
Reply
Ann M says
May 03, 2017 at 11:11 am
You are absolutely right – crispy chicken skin wins every time. This recipe sounds delicious!
Reply
Karen says
May 03, 2017 at 10:00 am

I just love all your recipes I’ve been trying really hard to eat low carb, I wished you’d put the nutrition info with the recipes some of the them I can calculate but when your only eating 1200 calories a day every calorie counts!!! Thanks for all the great meal!!!
Reply
Bethany @ athletic avocado says
May 03, 2017 at 7:30 am
There is nothing I love more than flavorful, crispy chicken! Cilantro is also my fave spice, and I adore lime, so I know this is a winner 🙂
Reply
Jenn says
May 03, 2017 at 5:43 am
I am tryin with chicken breast, should I sear still or just bake?
Reply
Karen says
May 03, 2017 at 5:22 am
This looks so delicious. Can I use drumsticks?
Reply
Scott in Tampa says
May 03, 2017 at 3:58 am
Karina. here’s the recipe
Grilled Pork and Onions Caribbean-Style: Makes 4 servings.
Ingredients:
1/3 cup lime juice
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon powdered coriander
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 onions, sliced
4 boneless pork loin chops
Directions:
In a bowl combine lime juice, oil, crushed garlic cloves, salt, coriander, and cayenne pepper; set aside.
Arrange thinly sliced onions in a large, shallow dish. Arrange pork chops over onion slices; pour reserved lime marinade over all. Cover and set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes, turning often.
Meanwhile heat grill (if using coals, wait until they turn white). Place the pork and onions over hot coals for 10 minutes, brushing with the marinade. Turn and cook until done
Reply
Scott in Tampa says
May 02, 2017 at 6:00 am

Excellent dish. I have recipe for pork chops that’s almost identical. Substitute cayenne for the red pepper flakes, pork instead of chicken, slice 2 onions. Place chops and onions in plastic bag, pour in marinade. Grill chops and onions on the grill. One of my wife’s favorites.
Reply
- Karina says
  May 02, 2017 at 8:32 am
  Scott! I’m going to try your version. Sounds delicious!
  Reply
Deborah @ The Harvest Kitchen says
May 01, 2017 at 11:48 pm
This chicken looks amazing!!! Your photos are always gorgeous!!
Reply
- Karina says
  May 01, 2017 at 11:48 pm
  Thank you so much Deborah!
  Reply