Simple Baked Cilantro Lime Chicken with a Mediterranean Twist

This bold, saucy cilantro lime chicken takes on a delicious Mediterranean twist. Chicken thighs rubbed in warm spices and cooked to tender perfection in a garlic, lime and cilantro sauce. Word to the wise, make every use of the tasty sauce!

Make in the oven or the crockpot! And serve over rice your favorite grain. Be sure to grab my tips and watch the video for how to make it.

Of the many chicken recipes I've shared with you here, this cilantro lime chicken recipe is one that is regularly requested by my family. They love this saucy, fall-apart tender chicken!

Fresh cilantro and  lime juice are the perfect duo that many associate them with Mexican cuisine. But they are also gloriously used in Mediterranean cooking--often combined with garlic and a host of warm spices (wait till you taste these chicken thighs!)

If you're a fan of these flavors, you'll want to also check out this grilled shrimp recipe with roasted garlic cilantro, and my  spicy cilantro pesto--I've been adding this pesto on my soups and labneh cheese a lot lately.

So much to love about this cilantro chicken

1. Bold, comforting flavors. The first step is seasoning the chicken well with a few warm spices including sweet paprika, nutmeg, along with a dash of seasoned salt and natural garlic powder.
2. A million-dollar sauce! White wine, lime juice, chicken broth, garlic and fresh cilantro--a sauce you'll want to pour over some tasty rice or your favorite grain (definitely make every use of it!)
3. Takes one pan to make. 
4. Baked and crockpot options! Either option will result in fall-apart tender chicken thighs, but my preference is baked.

How to make cilantro lime chicken

(print-friendly recipe and video below)

Cilantro lime chicken recipe in the crockpot

If you're wondering, can I make this in the crockpot or slow cooker, the answer is YES! Here's what you do:

• Season and brown in the pan as directed.
• Make the sauce.
• Transfer the sauce to the bottom of a large slow cooker or crockpot  (affiliate link)
• Add the chicken to the crockpot and nestle it into the sauce. Add the 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.)

Like I said earlier, I do prefer baked cilantro lime chicken, but the slow cooker option is wonderful as well.

Serve it with

Lebanese rice makes a perfect bed for this saucy chicken thighs recipe, or, try couscous or plain orzo pasta. If all you have is some crusty bread, that will work to sop up the tasty sauce!

Other side and salad options for a complete meal:

Sides: Greek potatoes; Skordalia (mashed potato and garlic dip); Baked Zucchini; Olive Oil Fried Brussels Sprouts;

Salads: Greek green bean salad; Mediterranean Three Bean Salad; Tabouli

Leftovers and Storage

If you have any leftover cilantro lime chicken, allow it to cool completely. Transfer to tight-lid container and refrigerate for 2 to 3 days.

You may also like

Chicken Cacciatore

Easy Stuffed Chicken Breast

 Za'atar Chicken 

Moroccan Vegetable Tagine 

Mediterranean Wine Braised Lamb Shanks

Craving more?  Check out our collection of Mediterranean diet recipes. For all recipes, visit us here. 

 JOIN MY FREE E-MAIL LIST HERE.

Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe

Suzy Karadsheh

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.)

4.6 from 71 votes

Print Pin

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 45 mins

Course Entree

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 8 pieces

Calories 289.5 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 8 chicken thighs bone in, skin on
• Private Reserve Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 6 garlic cloves roughly chopped
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 2 limes juice of
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 bunch cilantro stems removed, chopped; more for garnish

Spice mix:

• 1 to 1 ½ tsp seasoned salt like this one
• 1 tsp sweet Spanish paprika or hot paprika, if you like
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
• 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. 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

• Cook's Tip: Do not skip step #3. Browning the chicken thighs here provides more appealing crispy skin and adds great flavor.
• 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.)
• Visit Our Shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including spices and extra virgin olive oil used in this recipe 

Nutrition

Calories: 289.5kcalCarbohydrates: 5.1gProtein: 19.2gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 5.1gCholesterol: 110.7mgPotassium: 346.2mgFiber: 0.8gVitamin A: 219.7IUVitamin C: 9.7mgCalcium: 24.9mgIron: 1.2mg

Keyword Cilantro Lime Chicken, Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs, Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken

Tried this recipe?Mention @themediterraneandish or tag #themediterraneandish!

*This post first appeared on The Mediterranean Dish in 2015 and has recently been updated with new information and media of readers' benefit.