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!
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
- 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
- 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.
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.
Recipes to Use Grilled Chicken In
- Chopped Chicken Salad
- Chicken Cobb Salad (Meal Prep)
- Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Cold Chicken Spinach Pasta Salad
- Freezer Chicken Burritos
- Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos
Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken
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.
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Rate
Servings: 4 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
Calories: 349kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 215mg | Sodium: 784mg | Potassium: 607mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 138IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 2mg
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Mahua
Can this recipe be baked in an oven? What temperature should the oven be set to?
Carmy
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!