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How to Make Cilantro Lime Chicken

Using simple everyday ingredients, this cilantro lime chicken recipe combines fresh limes and tenderly baked chicken breasts for a filling and flavorful meal, served over hot white rice and Pico de Gallo.
  • cook TIME 30 mins
  • prep TIME 15 mins
  • total TIME 45 mins
Course: Main CourseCuisine: Mexican
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 499 kcal
Author: Tuyet Pham, Luna Regina

Ingredients (14)

  • 20 oz skinless boneless chicken breasts butterflied
  • 1/2 cup cilantro chopped, divided
  • 2 tbsp lime juice divided
  • 2 oz lime slices
  • 1 oz red onion diced
  • 2 tbsp garlic minced, divided
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 3 tbsp olive oil divided
  • 3/4 tsp salt divided
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp lime zest
  • 6 oz tomato diced
  • 3 oz corn kernels
  • 3 cups cooked medium-grain rice from 1 1/2 cups uncooked rice

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep:

1

Butterfly the chicken breast: Place the chicken breast on a cutting board. From the long side of the chicken breast, slice the meat in half using a sawing motion, but leave about 1/4" so that the two pieces are still intact. Set it aside and repeat with the remaining pieces.

2

Cook the rice: Rinse the rice with clean water. Gently massage to remove any debris or excess starch. Change the water a few times until it becomes clear, then drain it out. After that, cook the rice using a rice cooker or an instant pot.

3

Dice the red onion: Half the onion lengthwise and peel the skin. Make vertical slices 1/8" apart from each other towards the root, but leave about 1/8" so they're still intact. Turn the half 90 degrees, and grip the root. From the bottom, make horizontal cuts 1/8" apart from each other into the onion, also leaving 1/8" to keep everything intact. Slice the onion to have even cubes.

4

Dice the tomato: Half the tomato lengthwise, slice to remove the stem, and scoop the seeds out. Cut each half into 1/4" strips, then each strip into small cubes.

5

Finely chop the cilantro.

Cook:

1

Make the chicken marinade: In a large icing bowl, add 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp ground black pepper, 1 tbsp garlic, 1/4 cup cilantro, 1 tbsp honey, 1.5 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp lime zest, and 1 tbsp lime juice. Stir to combine.

2

Marinate the chicken: Add 20 oz skinless boneless chicken breasts and toss to coat evenly. Let sit for 5 minutes.

3

Make the salad: In a large mixing bowl, add 6 oz tomato, 3 oz corn kernels, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tbsp garlic, 1/4 cup cilantro, 1 tbsp lime juice, and 1 oz red onion. Mix well.

4

Pan-sear the chicken: In a skillet over medium heat, add 1.5 tbsp olive oil. When the oil is hot and ready, add the marinated chicken breasts and pan-sear both sides for a total of 5 minutes.

5

Bake the chicken: Place the skillet with chicken in a preheated oven and bake at 375 °F for 10 minutes.

6

Garnish and serve: Garnish with lime slices and chopped cilantro on top. Serve with rice and Pico de Gallo.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 499kcal | Fat 14.9g | Saturated Fat 2.5g | Trans Fat 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat 2g | Monounsaturated Fat 9g | Cholesterol 103mg | Sodium 507mg | Potassium 739mg | Carbohydrate 54g | Fiber 2g | Sugar 7g | Protein 37g | Vitamin A 584IU | Vitamin C 16mg | Calcium 34mg | Iron 3mg