Packed with flavour, this Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs recipe comes out so juicy and tender. Zesty and tangy, the cilantro-lime combination is always a hit. All you need are a few simple ingredients and you’ll have the perfectly grilled chicken thighs in no time.

Loaded with fresh citrus flavours, this grilled cilantro lime chicken really packs a punch! It comes together so quickly and easily. It’s one of my favourite flavour combinations and is always a hit!

A pink platter of cilantro lime grilled chicken thighs with lime wedges.

Why You’ll Love This Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe

The grilled chicken thighs come out perfectly every time and can be used in a variety of ways. I love pairing it with salad but you can put it in wraps, burritos, quesadillas, grilled cheese, and more.
Grilled chicken takes next to no effort. Simple toss it on the grill, flip it over once, and you’re good to go!
All you need are a couple of kitchen staples and you’ll have flavourful grilled chicken. It’s so easy, anyone could do it!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients needed to make cilantro lime chicken thighs.

chicken thighs — I prefer using boneless, skinless thighs.
oil — I like using olive oil but you can use whatever netural oil of your choice.
lime — you’ll need both the lime zest and lime juice.
salt
garlic powder
sugar
cilantro — be sure to wash it before using!

How to Grill Cilantro-Lime Chicken Thighs

A ziploc bag with chicken thighs with cilantro lime marinade.

In a large bowl or Ziploc bag, add the chicken thighs, olive oil, lime zest, lime juice, salt, garlic powder, sugar, and cilantro. Toss well to combine until all the thighs are coated. Set aside to marinate for 30 minutes.
Heat the grill to 400ºF.
Place the chicken thighs, smooth-side down, try to make sure there aren’t large pieces of cilantro stuck on the thighs to avoid them burning.
Grill the chicken thighs on the grill for 4 minutes on one side with the grill covered.
Flip and grill for another 4 minutes. Cook time will vary a bit depending on the size of your chicken thighs so use an instant read meat thermometer to check for doneness.
When done, remove the chicken thighs from the grill and transfer them to a plate. Squeeze a wedge of lime over the chicken thighs. Cover the chicken with aluminum foil to let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.

Close up of a pink platter of grilled cilantro lime chicken thighs with lime wedges.

Recipe Tips and Notes

If the chicken thighs are stuck to the grill, give it a few more extra minutes. Similar to pan-searing chicken, the chicken should release once its ready to be flipped.
The internal temperature of the chicken thighs should reach 165°F (74°C) before taking them off the grill.

My Recommendation

This is my go-to meat thermometer for making sure that the internal temperature of my meat is good to go. It’s also magnetic so I have it on my fridge door to save drawer space!

Get it Now!

Always let chicken rests before slicing. This gives the chicken thighs time to redistrub the juices and remain moist. If you slice too early, all the juices will run out of the chicken.
Chicken thighs can be marinaded up to 8 hours in advance.
Want more ways to cook chicken? Try my Dutch Oven Chicken, Instant Pot Whole Chicken, Instant Pot Shredded Chicken, and Air Fryer Chicken Thighs.
This grilled chicken thighs recipe was tested on a stainless steel gas grill.
Get more juice out of your limes by rolling them on your counters before juicing, to loosen the juices.

Make Ahead Tips

Meal prep: once cooled, store the cooked chicken thighs in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge.
Freezer: allow the grilled chicken thighs to cool before transferring them into an airtight container before storing them in the freezer. They can last for up to 3 months.

Meal prep container with grilled cilantro lime chicken thighs, corn, pinto beans, red onions, sliced avocado, and a wedge of lime.

Recipes to Use Grilled Chicken In

Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Rate this Recipe

Prep Time: 30

Cook Time: 8

Resting Time: 10

Total Time: 48

Servings: servings

Ingredients

8 chicken thighs, boneless, skinless
2 tbsp olive oil
2 limes, juice + zest
1 tsp salt
1½ tsp garlic powder
1 tsp sugar
½ bunch cilantro

Equipment

grill

Instructions

In a large bowl or Ziploc bag, add the chicken thighs, olive oil, lime zest, lime juice, salt, garlic powder, sugar, and cilantro. Toss well to combine until all the thighs are coated. Set aside to marinate for 30 minutes.
Heat the grill to 400ºF.
Place the chicken thighs, smooth-side down, try to make sure there aren’t large pieces of cilantro stuck on the thighs to avoid them burning.
Grill the chicken thighs on the grill for 4 minutes on one side with the grill covered.
Flip and grill for another 4 minutes. Cook time will vary a bit depending on the size of your chicken thighs so use an instant read meat thermometer to check for doneness.
When done, remove the chicken thighs from the grill and transfer them to a plate. Squeeze a wedge of lime over the chicken thighs. Cover the chicken with aluminum foil to let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.

Tried this recipe?Did you make this recipe? I’m always so happy to hear about it! I’d love to see how it turned out. Tag me at @CarmysHungry on Instagram so I can see it! If you enjoyed the recipe, I’d really appreciate a comment with a 5 star rating! ♥

Nutrition Per Serving

Author: Carmy

Course: BBQ

Cuisine: American, Canadian

Nutrition Disclaimer

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Comments

Mahua says

July 02, 2022 at 9:45 pm

Can this recipe be baked in an oven? What temperature should the oven be set to?

- Carmy says
  
  July 04, 2022 at 12:40 pm
  
  Hi Mahua, you can follow the baking instructions on this post but with the cilantro lime marinade: https://carmyy.com/lemon-honey-basil-chicken/. Enjoy!