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–+ servings
Grilled chicken pieces on a white plate, garnished with fresh cilantro and a halved lime.
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The Best Cilantro Lime Chicken Marinade

This cilantro lime chicken marinade combines fresh lime juice, cilantro, olive oil, honey, soy sauce, garlic, and cumin for a bright, bold chicken that works on the grill, in the air fryer, or in the oven.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Marinate Time2 hours
Servings: 4
Calories: 438kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
  • ¼ cup fresh lime juice
  • ¼ cup loosely packed fresh cilantro roughly chopped
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1½ teaspoons salt
  • ¼ teaspoon chili powder

For Serving (Optional)

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken

  • In a large bowl or zip-top bag, whisk together the lime juice, cilantro, olive oil, honey, soy sauce, garlic, cumin, salt, and chili powder until well combined.
  • Add the chicken and toss until each piece is evenly coated in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 24 hours for the best flavor. If marinating for several hours, turn the chicken occasionally to help evenly distribute the marinade.

Grill

  • Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates.
  • Grill chicken thighs for 6–8 minutes per side or chicken breasts for 5–7 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Air Fryer

  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
  • Arrange the chicken in a single layer and cook for 14–18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the thickest part reaches 165°F.

Oven

  • Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  • Place the marinated chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in a lightly greased baking dish. Bake for 20–25 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  • Rest and Serve
  • Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing. This helps keep the chicken juicy and flavorful.
  • Serve with cilantro lime rice, roasted vegetables, salads, wraps, tacos, or your favorite grain bowls for an easy, family-friendly meal.

Notes

  • Marinate for at least 2 hours for the best flavor, but overnight is even better.
  • Chicken thighs tend to stay extra juicy and are more forgiving if slightly overcooked.
  • Reserve a portion of the marinade before adding the raw chicken if you'd like to use it as a sauce later.
  • Store leftover cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, making it perfect for meal prep.

Nutrition

Calories: 438kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 52g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 136mg | Sodium: 1251mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 5g