Easy Cilantro Lime Chicken (Moist and Juicy!) - Rasa Malaysia (2024)

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There are so many reasons to love this easy recipe, here are just a few reasons why you want to try it at home:

• Preparation method: My recipe calls for a two-step process for the best, juiciest and most flavorful chicken ever. First, you pan sear the chicken thighs on a hot skillet, then finish it off by baking it.
• Amazing flavor: Cilantro adds a bright herbal taste, while lime adds a tangy, citrusy kick. These two ingredients are perfect match made in Mexican food heaven!
• Versatile techniques: You can pan sear, bake, grill, broil or slow cook the chicken, depending on seasons and your preference.
• Crowd-pleaser: Vibrant colors and fresh flavors make it a standout option for any occasion, from family dinners to gatherings with friends.

Ingredients

This recipe calls for very simple every day ingredients, but yields moist and juicy chicken with bold and sharp flavors:

• Chicken. I use tender and juicy chicken thighs for my recipe, but you can certainly use chicken breasts.

Variation In Cooking Techniques

There are many ways you can prepare this zesty and mouthwatering recipe in the home kitchen:

• Grilling: Summertime calls for grilling, and this is my favorite way to cook. Simply marinate the chicken, then grill over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes per side. Flip the chicken a couple of times until it’s done. Grilling adds a smoky flavor and beautiful grill marks to the chicken. Yummy!
• Pan-Searing: Marinate the chicken, then pan-sear in a hot skillet over medium-high heat. Pan-searing creates a flavorful crust on the outside while keeping the inside juicy.
• Baking: Marinate the chicken, then bake at 375°F (190°C) until cooked through, for about 30 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken meat.
• Slow Cooking: If you’re busy, use a slow cooker. Just leave the chicken and its marinade in the slow cooker or crockpot. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or until the chicken reaches your desired texture. This method is especially useful for busy moms or working adults.

How To Make Cilantro Lime Chicken

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Whisk all the Marinade ingredients together in a large bowl, ensuring thorough mixing. Add the chicken to the Marinade, stirring to coat evenly. Allow the chicken to marinate for 15 minutes, but for optimal flavor, marinate for 2 hours.

Step 2: Heat up a skillet and pan-fry the chicken with the skin-side down until it’s slightly browned. Then, turn it over and pan-fry the other side until it’s also slightly browned.

Step 3: Spoon the remaining marinade on top of the chicken before baking. Bake the chicken for 20 minutes.

Step 4: Transfer the chicken to a serving platter (discarding the oily dripping from the chicken). Squeeze fresh lime juice over the chicken, garnish with cilantro, and serve immediately.

Helpful Tips For Home Cooks

To make sure that you have the best results, follow the tips below:

• Use chicken thighs, which are more tender, moist and juicy. Buy bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs and debone it. Click on this post to learn how to debone chicken thighs, with video guide.
• You can use skinless and boneless chicken breasts or chicken thighs, if you like.
• Use freshly squeezed lime juice if you can. You will love the fresh and citrusy aroma from the lime juice.
• Use lots of cilantro stems and some cilantro leaves as there is a lot of flavors in the stems.
• Pan-fry the chicken on a skillet first, to make sure that the skin is browned and crispy before baking the chicken in the oven. This extra step turns your cilantro lime chicken from good to exquisite.
• After baking, spoon the marinade over the chicken to make it extra flavorful and moist.

So, there you have it, folks! If you’re looking for a flavor-packed, easy-to-make dish that’ll leave everyone at the table begging for more, then this is exactly what you need. With its irresistible blend of zesty lime, aromatic cilantro, and juicy chicken, my recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. So go ahead, give it a try, and get ready to take your taste buds on a delicious journey they won’t soon forget!

Frequently Asked Questions

What To Serve With This Recipe

Serve this dish as is or with rice and other side dishes. For a wholesome Mexican meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.

I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please share your photo in the Comments section and consider giving it a 5-star rating. I can’t wait to see your creations! Want more easy and delicious recipes? Subscribe to mynewsletterand follow me onFacebook,Pinterest,andInstagramfor new updates.