It’s 90 degrees here in SoCal, and the grill is getting non-stop usage to keep the house cool.
Make this Lime Cilantro Marinade with boneless or bone-in whole chicken thighs, because FLAVOR. Â Serve with fresh grilled veggies and mango cauliflower rice from Eat Happy Too.
Feel free to change out the protein and make this marinade for pork loin, flank steak, and any kind of fish or shrimp.
Easy stuff. Â I’m marinating chicken breasts in it right now…gonna put the chicken smack dab on top of my new recipe for Thai Cold Noodle Salad with Creamy Peanut Dressing.
Want more Eat Happy inspiration? Make sure you sign up for the 31 Days of Meals plan and free recipe sampler here!

Lime Cilantro Chicken Marinade
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- Juice of 3 limes
- 1-2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 2-3 pounds chicken thighs, bone-in or boneless
Instructions
- Whisk together all marinade ingredients, dump into a plastic bag with chicken thighs. Marinate 1-3 hours. The exterior of the chicken might begin to turn white as the lime juice is a cooking agent. Discard marinade upon grilling.
- GRILLING INSTRUCTIONS: Heat up grill to 450 degrees. Grill each side of chicken thighs, about 3-5 minutes per side for boneless, or 10-12 minutes per side for bone-in.
- OVEN INSTRUCTIONS: Heat oven to 400 degrees. Place thighs evenly in pyrex or metal baking pan, not overlapping. Bake for 25-30 minutes for boneless and 30-40 minutes for bone-in.
- Chicken is done when a meat thermometer inserted at thickest part reads 180 degrees.
Â
Thanks Anna! This was delicious!! Even our 14 year-old liked it and said he would definitely eat it again!!! That’s high praise, Anna! 🙂
Jen, it’s honestly my favorite when a compliment comes from the kids–they have the real discerning palates!!
XOXO
Anna
Can I marinate overnight?
you absolutely can–but keep in mind lime juice will “cook” the edges of the chicken. But I’ve done it and it just makes that chicken extra flavorful!
XOXO
Anna