Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs are juicy, flavorful, and easy to make. The zesty, citrus marinade uses only 5 ingredients (plus salt and pepper) and takes only minutes to mix up. The results are moist chicken thighs with perfect grill marks.
Grilled Chicken Thighs are so versatile and will be a family favorite for the summer! Leftovers keep well so consider making a double batch to have for meal prep throughout the week. If you have lemons instead limes, check out this similar recipe for Grilled Lemon Chicken Thighs. Or try using this same marinade for other veggies and proteins - check out this post on the Cilantro Lime Marinade for more uses and marinating times.
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Ingredients You'll Need:
It only takes a few simple ingredients to the flavorful marinade for grilled chicken thighs. Here's what you need:
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs - you could also use chicken breasts but I love how moist chicken thighs are.
- Fresh Cilantro - For another recipe using lots of fresh cilantro, check out this Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad with a creamy yogurt dressing.
- Fresh Limes - to use both the zest and juice
- Minced Garlic - fresh is always best, but you can use the pre-minced kind from a jar too.
- Olive Oil
- Ground Cumin
- Salt and Pepper
Step by step instructions
Even if you're not a grilling expert, you can totally make grilled chicken thighs! See the easy instructions below:
- Marinate Chicken Thighs - In a medium/large bowl, mix together the olive oil, spices, lime zest and juice, and garlic. Then mix in the chopped cilantro. Add the whole chicken thighs to the bowl and toss to combine. Allow to marinate for at least 20 minutes (perfect amount of time to preheat the grill) or up to one hour.
- Preheat Grill - Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (450-500 degrees F) for direct grilling (ie. the chicken will go directly over the flame).
- Grill - Grease your grill grates, if desired, with vegetable oil on a paper towel using grilling tongs. Then add the marinated chicken thighs to the grill. Close the grill and grill each side for 4-5 minutes (8-10 minutes total) until fully cooked (internal temperature reads 165 degrees F). Chicken thighs are ready to flip when they easily release from the grill. The excess marinade should be discarded.
- Serve - Removed cooked chicken from the grill and allow to rest for just a few minutes before serving. I love to give a squeeze of fresh lime juice and a sprinkle of extra chopped cilantro.
Frequently Asked Questions
It takes about 8-10 minutes to grill boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Or about 4-5 minutes per side.
The key to grilling chicken thighs without burning them is not having your grill too hot. It's best to cook them on medium Heat (or about 450-500F). This is hot enough to get the pretty grill marks, but not too hot that it burns the chicken before cooking it all the way through.
I like to grease my grill grates right before adding the chicken. I add some canola oil or vegetable oil to a paper towel and use the grilling tongs to carefully grease the grates. But the biggest key to not having food stick when grilling is to not flip the chicken too soon. Once the chicken is cooked on the outside with nice grill marks it will easily release from the grill.
The best way to tell if grilled chicken is cooked is to check the internal temperature with a thermometer. Dark meat chicken should be cooked to 165 degrees F. If you don't have a thermometer, you can also cut the chicken to make sure there is no pink and the juices run clear but checking the temperature is the safest option.
Leftovers and Storage
Grilled chicken is a great option for meal prep! See tips below for how to store:
Leftovers and Storage: Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep fresh for up to 5 days.
Serving Ideas:
The serving ideas for grilled chicken thighs are endless! Here are a few of my favorites:
- Rice and Beans - The cilantro-lime flavors are made for a burrito bowl of sorts! Serve with rice, beans, and any other of your favorite Mexican toppings.
- On top of a Salad - Grilled chicken is great on or alongside a big salad! I love this cilantro chicken with a romaine lettuce based salad. This Southwest Salad with an Avocado Dressing is a great option!
- Grilled Veggies and Potatoes - If the grill is already fired up, you might as well grill some veggies and/or potatoes for a perfect pairing.
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PrintRecipe
Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs
Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs are juicy, flavorful, and easy to make. The zesty, citrus marinade uses only 5 ingredients (plus salt and pepper) and takes only minutes to mix up.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Grilling, Mains
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 limes, zested and juiced
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- Vegetable Oil, optional for greasing grill grates
- Extra Limes and Chopped Cilantro, optional for topping
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken Thighs - In a medium/large bowl, mix together the olive oil, spices, lime zest and juice, and garlic. Then mix in the chopped cilantro. Add the whole chicken thighs to the bowl and toss to combine. Allow to marinate for at least 20 minutes (perfect amount of time to preheat the grill) or up to one hour.
- Preheat Grill - Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (450-500 degrees F) for direct grilling (ie. the chicken will go directly over the flame).
- Grill - Grease your grill grates, if desired, with vegetable oil on a paper towel using grilling tongs. Then add the marinated chicken thighs to the grill. Close the grill and grill each side for 4-5 minutes (8-10 minutes total) until fully cooked (internal temperature reads 165 degrees F). Chicken thighs are ready to flip when they easily release from the grill. The excess marinade should be discarded.
- Serve - Removed cooked chicken from the grill and allow to rest for just a few minutes before serving. I love to give a squeeze of fresh lime juice and a sprinkle of extra chopped cilantro.
Notes
Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep fresh for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ of recipe
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 0.4 g
- Sodium: 473.5 mg
- Fat: 14.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 2.5 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 33.7 g
- Cholesterol: 159.8 mg
Katie says
One of my favorite grilled chicken recipes!