All-star cilantro lime chicken recipe! Chicken thighs, prepared Mediterranean-style with a special spice mixture and cooked to tender perfection in a tasty garlic, lime and cilantro sauce. You can cook this in the oven (my preference) or in the slow cooker (see notes for instructions). Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are my preference here, but you can use boneless thighs or even chicken breasts if you like. (Note that cooking time will change, and I've listed all the details in the post.)
Prep Time20 minutesmins
Cook Time45 minutesmins
Course: Entree
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Diet: Gluten Free
Servings: 8pieces
Author: Suzy Karadsheh
Ingredients
8chicken thighs,bone in, skin on
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
6garlic cloves,roughly chopped
1cupdry white wine
2limes,juice of
2cupschicken broth
1bunch cilantro,stems removed, chopped; more for garnish
In a small bowl, mix the spices. Pat the chicken thighs dry, and season each thigh on both sides with the spice mix. Be sure to season underneath the skin as well. Let the chicken thighs sit in room temperature for about 15 minutes.
Brown the chicken. When ready, heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil in a cast iron skillet (with a lid). Brown the chicken thighs deeply on both sides in the heated oil. Remove from skillet and set aside briefly.
Lower the heat and deglaze the skillet with the white wine. Let cook to reduce and then add the broth. Bring the liquid to a simmer then add the lime juice and garlic.
Now. return the chicken to the skillet and toss in the cilantro. Bring to a high-simmer for about 5 minutes or so.
Cover the skillet with the lid and transfer to the heated oven for 45 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked through.
Remove from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with more cilantro, if you like.
Video
Notes
Slow Cooker/Crockpot Instructions: Once you've browned the chicken and prepared the sauce, transfer the sauce to the bottom of a large slow cooker or crockpot. Nestle the chicken into the sauce and add the fresh cilantro. Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or high for 2 to 3 hours (internal temperature should register 165 degrees F).
How to store leftovers: Allow leftovers to cool completely and then transfer to an airtight container. These chicken thighs will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop in a skillet over medium heat.