Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs (Printer-friendly)
Juicy grilled chicken thighs with zesty lime and fresh cilantro marinade. Ready in over 1 hour including marinating time.
# What you'll need:
→ Marinade
01 - 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
04 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
09 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
→ Chicken
10 - 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 2 lbs)
# Method:
01 - In a large bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, garlic, cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until well combined.
02 - Add the chicken thighs to the marinade, turning to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours for optimal flavor absorption.
03 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat, approximately 400°F.
04 - Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Discard the used marinade.
05 - Grill chicken thighs for 6-8 minutes per side until nicely charred and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
06 - Transfer to a platter, cover loosely, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra chopped cilantro and lime wedges if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The marinade comes together in minutes but makes you look like you planned all day
- Chicken thighs stay juicy no matter how many times you accidentally overcook them
02 -
- Pat the chicken dry before grilling or it will steam instead of getting those crispy edges
- Do not reuse the marinade that raw chicken soaked in no matter how good it smells
03 -
- Bring the chicken to room temperature for twenty minutes before grilling for even cooking
- Clean your grill grates while hot so the next time you cook nothing sticks