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Easy Zesty Baked Honey Lime Cilantro Chicken

Easy Zesty Baked Honey Lime Cilantro Chicken - featured image

A quick and flavorful baked chicken recipe featuring a zesty honey lime cilantro marinade that keeps the chicken juicy and tender. Perfect for busy weeknights and casual dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup lime juice (from 2 medium limes)
  • Zest of 1 lime
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together honey, lime juice, lime zest, olive oil, minced garlic, ground cumin, kosher salt, and black pepper.
  3. Place chicken breasts in the bowl and toss until fully coated with the marinade. Let marinate for at least 10 minutes or up to 30 minutes at room temperature.
  4. Arrange the marinated chicken breasts in a single layer in a baking dish or sheet pan. Pour any leftover marinade evenly over the top.
  5. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  6. Remove from oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
  7. Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro over the chicken before serving.

Notes

If chicken breasts are thick, pound to even thickness for consistent cooking. Avoid over-marinating (no more than 30 minutes) to prevent meat from becoming mushy. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to 165°F. Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days and freeze for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked chicken, honey lime chicken, cilantro chicken, easy chicken recipe, quick dinner, healthy chicken, weeknight meal