Description
Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs bring zesty Mexican-inspired magic straight to your dinner table, delivering bold seasoning that makes weeknight meals totally unforgettable. Crispy exterior and tender meat guarantee a dinner your family will devour in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 6 chicken thighs
Herbs and Spices:
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp chili powder
- 3 cloves garlic
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro
Liquids and Oils:
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Thoroughly dry 6 chicken thighs using paper towels to guarantee maximum crispness for your skin.
- Combine ¼ cup lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, ¼ cup chopped cilantro, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper, 1 tsp cumin, and ½ tsp chili powder in a mixing bowl.
- Submerge chicken thighs completely in the marinade, ensuring each piece gets fully coated. Seal container and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Position cast iron skillet inside your oven and heat to 425°F for 10 minutes.
- Carefully extract hot skillet using thick oven mitts. Arrange marinated chicken thighs skin-facing downward.
- Sizzle chicken for 5-6 minutes until skin transforms into a golden, crispy exterior.
- Gently rotate chicken pieces to expose opposite side.
- Transfer skillet directly into 425°F oven for 20-25 minutes until meat reaches 165°F internal temperature.
- Extract skillet and allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes, letting juices redistribute naturally.
- Sprinkle additional fresh cilantro across chicken before presenting your delicious meal.
Notes
- Patting chicken thighs completely dry ensures the crispiest, most golden skin possible.
- Marinating for at least 30 minutes allows the zesty lime and cilantro flavors to penetrate deeply into the meat.
- Using a cast iron skillet helps create an incredible sear and even heat distribution for perfectly cooked chicken.
- For a low-carb or keto version, serve the chicken with roasted vegetables instead of traditional sides.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-31 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 0.3 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1.5 g
- Fiber: 0.4 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg