Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs

Two of my favorite ingredients—cilantro and lime—come together to make one of my favorite ways to prepare chicken.

As you know by now, I love flavorful food, and this recipe definitely falls into that category. Fresh lime, cilantro, cumin, and smoked paprika create a marinade that's zesty, smoky, and full of flavor, while chicken thighs stay tender and juicy on the grill.

The best part? The marinade takes only a few minutes to put together. Let the chicken marinate for anywhere from 2 to 24 hours, then throw it on the grill for an easy lunch or dinner.

I especially love this recipe for meal prep. I recently paired it with my Roasted Rainbow Vegetables, and the combination was perfect. While the vegetables are roasting in the oven, you can grill the chicken and have several meals ready for the week at once.

Why Chicken Thighs?

Chicken can get boring pretty quickly if you're eating it often, but chicken thighs are one of my favorite ways to change things up.

They're naturally more flavorful and tend to stay juicier on the grill than chicken breasts. They also hold up really well to marinades, making them perfect for the bold cilantro-lime flavors in this recipe.

And because we're using boneless, skinless chicken thighs, they cook quickly.

Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

• 2 tablespoons avocado oil

• Zest of 2 limes

• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika

• 2 teaspoons cumin

• 1 teaspoon sea salt

• 1 teaspoon finely ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Make the marinade. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the avocado oil, lime zest, fresh lime juice, chopped cilantro, smoked paprika, cumin, sea salt, and black pepper.

2. Add the chicken. Place the chicken thighs into the bowl and toss well, making sure each piece is completely coated in the marinade.

3. Marinate. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 2–24 hours. The longer the chicken marinates, the more time those flavors have to develop.

4. Preheat the grill. Turn on your George Foreman grill and allow it to fully preheat.

5. Grill the chicken. Place the marinated chicken thighs onto the hot grill and cook for approximately 6 minutes, working in batches if necessary.

6. Check for doneness. Because chicken thighs can vary in thickness and grills vary in temperature, check that the chicken has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F before serving.

7. Serve and enjoy. Pair the chicken with your favorite vegetables and add an extra squeeze of fresh lime or sprinkle of cilantro if desired.

Don't Have a Foreman Grill?

You can still make this recipe!

Cook the chicken on an outdoor grill or grill pan until it's browned on the outside and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your chicken thighs and the type of grill you're using, so I prefer using a meat thermometer rather than relying solely on cooking time.

The Perfect Meal-Prep Combination

One of my favorite ways to serve this chicken is with my Roasted Rainbow Vegetables.

The timing works perfectly, too.

Get your vegetables into the oven first, then grill the chicken while they're roasting. You'll have your protein and vegetables ready at almost the same time without spending your entire afternoon meal prepping.

You could also serve these cilantro lime chicken thighs with:

• Jasmine or brown rice

• Quinoa

• Roasted sweet potatoes

• Cauliflower rice

• Black beans

• Avocado

• A big green salad

• Grilled vegetables

For an easy meal-prep bowl, add rice or quinoa, sliced cilantro lime chicken, roasted vegetables, avocado, and an extra squeeze of lime.

Why Fresh Lime Makes a Difference

For this recipe, I definitely recommend using fresh lime juice and fresh lime zest rather than bottled lime juice.

The zest contains flavorful aromatic oils that give the marinade a much stronger lime flavor without requiring a huge amount of juice.

And don't skip the cilantro! The combination of lime + cilantro + cumin + smoked paprika is what makes a simple chicken recipe taste completely different.

💡 Dr. Stephanie's Tip: Make the marinade the night before.

Add the chicken, cover it, and put it in the refrigerator. The next day, all you have to do is heat your grill and cook.

It's one of those small meal-prep tricks that makes eating well during a busy week so much easier.

I also recommend making the entire 2-pound batch, even if you don't need that much chicken for dinner. The leftovers are perfect for salads, bowls, or an easy protein for lunch the next day.

An Easy Chicken Recipe to Keep on Repeat

Healthy chicken definitely doesn't have to be boring.

The combination of fresh cilantro, lime, smoked paprika, and cumin gives these chicken thighs so much flavor without requiring a complicated recipe or a long list of ingredients.

Pair them with my Roasted Rainbow Vegetables for an easy dinner or prep both recipes together to have healthy meals ready for the week.

Looking for more healthy recipes? You’ll find 93 of my favorite gluten-free and dairy-free recipes in my cookbook, with simple meals the whole family can enjoy. Get your copy here.