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If you’re looking for an incredibly flavorful and easy dinner, this lime chicken recipe is a game-changer. This juicy cilantro lime chicken comes together in just 30 minutes, making it the perfect solution for a busy weeknight. Packed with zesty lime, fresh cilantro, and a hint of spice, this meal is a guaranteed family favorite that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Can you hear me calling,” Winner, winner chicken dinner”? Yes! Winner winner, Lime Chicken. Finally, I tried and adapted another chicken recipe. When we find a chicken recipe we love, we add the to our easy chicken recipes for meal planning ideas.
Lime Chicken
What I love about this dinner idea is that it’s a30-minute mealwhich means it’s perfect for any night of the week for your meal plans.
Chicken Lime fast, and fresh
I found the original recipe in Rachel Ray’s magazine, 16 Fast and Fresh Ideas. The short and sweet of this recipe is: Did she forget to add what spices she used? Or maybe it was just her scallions, parsley, and cilantro she called spices? Either way, I got you covered with my rendition of this chicken recipe that caught my eye.
I made this one evening, after picking up Sammie from her track practice. You know those late dinners. I’ll have to update the recipe photos later, but I snapped a few photos to show you how easy this recipe is.
For today’s Easy Lime Chicken Recipe, you probably have some of these ingredients on hand in your pantry or fridge. Be sure to prep all your veggies at once to save time. Then follow the steps to make this chicken dinner below.
How to make Lime Chicken
Ingredients you’ll need for Lime Chicken with rice
Chicken thighs – skinless and boneless (which normally aren’t my go chicken cut, but it made this taste amazing! Tender, pull apart, yum in every bite.)
1 Package Rice Pilaf (set seasonings aside, they won’t be used for this recipe) + 1 tsp. turmeric
Vegetables of your choice for sides. We used avocado and cucumber.
For the sake of time, I used garlic powder vs. mincing fresh garlic. You probably can use chicken breasts, but it won’t be quite as flavorful as using thighs. Jalapenos are not always hot when seeded. (Handle carefully. Use gloves. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water when handling them! The oils can burn your skin regardless! Trust me, it happened to me one year when canning.)
Substitutions that can be made for the chicken lime recipe
If you prefer Mexican rice then you can use that instead of the pilafBut it was really good, mildly flavored. If you want to get out of your usual boxed rice rut.
If you don’t want to use fresh jalapeno, you can use a tiny amount of paprika (mild), cayenn,e or cumin (a bit spicier).
Substitute cilantro with thinly sliced green onion.
Instructions
Prep your veggies all at once, using a chef’s knife and a cutting board.
Make your rice according to the package. You’ll melt your butter, add rice, stir in turmeric, then add your water, cover, and heat until cooked on low.
Cook the chicken with lime according to the directions below. You’ll need an oven-safe skillet, or you could possibly transfer the braised chicken into an oven-safe casserole dish.
Step-by-Step Instructions for making Lime Chicken
First Steps: Step 1
Prep your veggies all at once prior to starting the rice. Then continue to follow the steps below.
Add your chicken, then sprinkle with garlic powder, pepper, and a pinch of salt to each piece of chicken. ( I don’t measure, just lightly and evenly coat the chicken)
Cook about 4 minutes on each side.
Spicing Things Up: Step 3
Add half a lime to the top of the chicken by squeezing out the juice over the thighs.
Next, add your chopped, seeded jalapeno, and 1/4 cup of cilantro.
Cook chicken with a covered lid in the oven at 425°F for 15 minutes.
When plating, set the cooked chicken next to or over your rice. Then pour some of the pan juices right over the chicken. Serve with fresh veggies or even canned corn or frozen vegetables if you’re in a pinch.
To make things easy for dinner, I prepped sliced thin cucumbers, avocado with lime, and extra cilantro to garnish the dish, all at the same time.
Start to finish, it’s a 30-minute meal. Tada!
Everyone in our house loved this dinner, so I’ll call this a win! We hope you enjoy it as much.
What type of dinners do you enjoy cooking? Do you like trying new recipes?
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Delicious, tender lime chicken. Hands down an easy meal to make, and enjoy any night of the week.
Course
Main Course
Cuisine
Mexican
Keyword
Easy Lime Chicken, Lime Chicken
Prep Time10minutes
Cook Time20minutes
Total Time30minutes
Servings4
AuthorTheresa Huse DearCreatives.com
Ingredients
Chicken thighsskinless and boneless
1tbspOlive oilextra virgin
1-2Limes
Cilantro 1/4 cup -1/2 cup
Half a jalapeno seededand chopped
114.5 oz cansmall can vegetable stock
1 tsp.Spices – garlic powder
1Package Rice Pilaf (set seasonings aside they won’t be used for this recipe)
1tsp. Turmeric
salt and pepper to taste
For your sides use vegetables of your choice. We used avocado and cucumbers.
Instructions
Prep all your veggies at one time. Wash, dry and chop up your cilantro, quarter your limes, seed, and mince your jalapeno.Prep any side veggies, and garnishes such as avocado as mentioned in steps on the site.
Cook rice pilaf according to your package instructions but, do not include any flavoring. Add turmeric instead where it says to add packet of spices.
While the rice is cooking. Get out a separate oven safe skillet with lid.
Pre heat the skillet slightly with a bit of olive oil. Add your chicken, then sprinkle with garlic powder, pepper, and a pinch of salt to each piece of chicken. ( I don’t measure, just lightly evenly coat the chicken) Cook about 4 minutes each side.
Add half a lime to the top of the chicken by squeezing out the juice over the thighs. Next add your chopped, seeded jalapeno, and 1/4 cup of cilantro.
Then add can of vegetable stock, and cover your oven proof skillet.
Cook in the oven at 425 degrees for 15 minutes.
Recipe Notes
For the sake of time I used garlic powder vs. mincing fresh garlic. You probably can use chicken breasts but, it won’t be quite as flavorful. Jalapenos are not always hot, when seeded. (Handle carefully. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water when handling them! The oils can burn your skin regardless)
Substitutions that can be made for the chicken lime recipe: If you don’t have vegetable stock, swap out for chicken stock. If you prefer Mexican rice then you can use that instead of the pilaf but, it was really good, mildly flavored. If you want to get out of your usual boxed rice rut. If you don’t want to use fresh jalapeno, you can use a tiny amount of paprika (mild) cayenne or cumin (a bit spicier). Substitute cilantro with thinly sliced green onion. Prep your veggies all at once, using a chef knife, and cutting board. Make your rice according to package. You’ll melt your butter, add rice, stir in turmeric, then add your water, cover, and heat until cooked on low. Cook the chicken with lime according to the directions below. You’ll need a oven safe skillet, or you could possibly transfer braised chicken into a oven safe casserole dish. Full step by step how to on DearCreatives.com
Add this to your pantry for recipes like this, a jar of 
. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water when handling them! The oils can burn your skin regardless! Trust me, it happened to me one year when canning.) 
or frozen vegetables if you’re in a pinch. 
Oh my goodness! I really need to try this. I don’t have an oven proof skillet but this is a good reason to get one! 😉