Bright, zesty, and packed with fresh flavor, this Cilantro Lime Chicken is an easy weeknight dinner that’s ready in just 20 minutes.
Juicy chicken is marinated with garlic, cumin, fresh lime, and cilantro, then cooked until perfectly browned and finished with even more lime, fresh herbs, and a sprinkle of cotija cheese for a simple meal the whole family will love.
Why This Recipe is a Winner!
- Ready in just 20 minutes from start to finish.
- Cook it your way on the stovetop or in the air fryer.
- Perfect for meal prep because it reheats beautifully throughout the week.
- Great for busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table fast.
- Versatile enough for countless meals including rice bowls, tacos, burritos, salads, wraps, and quesadillas.
Prep Time:
10 minutes
Cook Time:
10 minutes
Yield:
Serves 4
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- ½ yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- Zest of 1 lime
- 4 tablespoons fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- 3 tablespoons crumbled cotija cheese, for serving
Printable Recipe Card with a Full List of Ingredients and Instructions is Located at the Bottom of the Post.
Be sure to read through the entire post so that you don’t miss out on any important tips and tricks!
Step by Step Instructions
STEP 1:
I sliced some boneless, skinless chicken breast into 1 inch chunks and placed them in a bowl.
STEP 2:
I added diced onion, garlic, cumin, lime zest, lime juice, chopped cilantro, olive oil, salt and pepper to the bowl with the chicken breast chunks.
I tossed until the chicken was well coated.
STEP 3:
I warmed some olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Once the oil was hot I added the chicken breast chunks to the skillet.
STEP 4:
I cooked the chicken breast chunks until they were nicely browned on all sides.
STEP 5:
I tossed the cooked chicken breast chunks in chopped cilantro and lime juice.
STEP 6:
I served my chicken over rice and peppers and topped it with crumbled cotija cheese.
The first bite is juicy, garlicky, and bursting with fresh lime and cilantro, with the salty cotija adding the perfect finishing touch.
Every tender piece is bright, savory, and incredibly satisfying, making this a dinner you’ll find yourself craving again and again.
If you are looking for a simple and delicious chicken breast dinner recipe, then you need to try this Cilantro Lime Chicken!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I make Cilantro Lime Chicken ahead of time?
- Yes! You can marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance. Once cooked, it stores well in the refrigerator, making it great for meal prep.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
- Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are an excellent substitute and stay extra juicy. You may need to cook them for an extra minute or two.
Can I cook this on the grill?
- Yes! Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers or grill larger pieces over medium-high heat until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Can I make this in the air fryer?
- Yes! Air fry the marinated chicken at 350°F for 8–10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Cilantro Lime Chicken
Bright, zesty, and packed with fresh flavor, this Cilantro Lime Chicken is an easy weeknight dinner that's ready in just 20 minutes.
Juicy chicken is marinated with garlic, cumin, fresh lime, and cilantro, then cooked until perfectly browned and finished with even more lime, fresh herbs, and a sprinkle of cotija cheese for a simple meal the whole family will love.
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- ½ yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- Zest of 1 lime
- 4 tablespoons fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- 3 tablespoons crumbled cotija cheese, for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken, onion, garlic, cumin, lime zest, half of the lime juice, half of the cilantro, and half of the olive oil. Season generously with salt and pepper. If time permits, you can refrigerate the marinated chicken overnight for deeper flavor.
- 🍳 Stovetop: Warm the remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken (in batches if needed), about 4–5 minutes, until each piece is nicely browned and cooked through.
💨 Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. When hot, lightly grease the basket with the remaining olive oil and arrange the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden and fully cooked. - Once cooked, toss the chicken with the remaining lime juice and cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve alongside your choice of vegetables and grains, then top off with the crumbled cotija cheese.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 405Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 5gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 154mgSodium: 285mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 56g
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Hi! My name is Erin and I have been here since 2016 sharing simple family friendly recipes that can be prepared by any home cook. Get ready to whip up delicious meals in no time!