Fresh Cilantro Lime Grilled Chicken Thighs
Juicy grilled chicken thighs marinated in a bright and zesty cilantro lime marinade, perfect for quick weeknight dinners or summer BBQs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes to 4 hours 25 minutes (including marinating time)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 3 pounds / 1.4 kg)
- 1 cup fresh cilantro, tightly packed and finely chopped
- Juice and zest of 2 medium limes
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together chopped cilantro, lime juice and zest, minced garlic, honey, olive oil, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until combined and slightly emulsified.
- Marinate the chicken: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Add chicken to the marinade, turning to coat each piece thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours.
- Preheat the grill: Heat grill to medium-high (around 400°F / 204°C). Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
- Grill the chicken: Place thighs skin-side down on the grill. Cook for 6-7 minutes per side, flipping once, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and skin is crispy and charred in spots.
- Rest the chicken: Remove from grill and let rest covered loosely with foil for 5 minutes to redistribute juices.
- Serve: Garnish with extra fresh cilantro and lime wedges.
Notes
Pat chicken dry before marinating to ensure crispy skin. Avoid overflipping to develop a good char. If flare-ups occur, move chicken to indirect heat briefly. Rest chicken after grilling to keep it juicy. Can substitute grill with grill pan or broiler if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh (abo
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1.5
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 19
- Saturated Fat: 4.5
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 23
Keywords: grilled chicken thighs, cilantro lime chicken, easy grilled chicken, summer BBQ recipe, zesty chicken marinade, quick chicken recipe