The Cilantro Lime Chicken recipe brings home the essential exotic flavors of Thailand into your kitchen.
We love Thailand, the people, the three glorious hours of massages, the food, and the weather. Every occasion to visit, I am the first in line, and if I had my way, I would spend a month just sitting on a beach and enjoying simple yet fantastic food.
In this Article
- Subscribe to Cooking Canva!
- What is Peppercorn Cilantro Paste
- Why you will love this recipe
- Ingredients needed to make this recipe
- Equipment Needed
- Step-by-step instructions on how to make these delicious cilantro lime chicken
- Pro Tips
- What dishes can you enjoy with this cilantro lime chicken?
- Variations and Substitutions
- Storing and Reheating
- Frequently Asked Questions
- If you enjoy this cilantro lime chicken, try my other recipes.
- Cilantro Lime Chicken
This wonderful recipe contains the essential flavors of Thai cooking: black pepper, cilantro stems, garlic, and salted with a dash of Thai fish sauce, creating this fantastic paste.
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Use this paste with your cilantro lime marinade, as I did here, with the rich flavors of ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, and limes.
As soon as your bone-in chicken thighs hit the grill, the smell will surround you, becoming mouthwatering and irresistible.
Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, this is a fantastic dinner that you can enjoy all year round.
The wonderful thing about food is that it transports you to faraway places and makes you reminisce about a beautiful time. This recipe does that for me.
What is Peppercorn Cilantro Paste
This peppercorn cilantro paste combines the essential flavors of Thailand: a compound combination of peppercorns, garlic, cilantro stems, salt, and Thai fish sauce.
Use this paste as a marinade for your fish, grilled chicken or pork.
Due to its versatile nature, this paste stores well in the freezer. Whenever you have leftover cilantro stems, do not toss them; instead, place them in a bag and store them in the freezer.
No need to defrost them, just add the other ingredients and chop while still frozen.
This recipe only makes two tablespoons of paste, double it or triple it to keep some handy for your next use.
Why you will love this recipe
Easy – it can be prepared the day before, stored in the refrigerator and once ready to enjoy it, will take no time to cook.
The paste is versatile – so it is handy to stash it in your freezer and use it when needed.
Excellent the day after – This is one of the few dishes that I love to have leftover of. I cannot seem to ever make enough of it.
It makes great leftovers – you can enjoy them as is, in salads or wraps, or with warm tortillas and avocado salsa.
My family favorite – and hopefully your family favorite too. I double the recipe and each time it is all gone.
Ingredients needed to make this recipe
Chicken drumsticks – Rich in flavor and so much fun for the little one to grab and eat.
Ginger – grated and with all the juices that it renders
Soy sauce – Asian seasoning
Sesame oil – Asian seasoning
Limes – Use the zest and fresh lime juice. Reserve a lime to serve alongside your dinner. When paired with the cilantro, it creates a fantastic refreshing taste.
Cilantro—Use the stems to create a paste to add to your marinade. It is an excellent seasoning herb that is refreshing and savory. Chopped leaves as a topping, optional step.
Black peppercorn – give that kick that is needed yet not overpowering to the paste.
Garlic cloves – one of the key ingredients of the peppercorn cilantro paste.
Salt – seasoning
Thai fish sauce – I enjoy adding Thai fish sauce to all my Asian cooking. It has that extra touch that finishes your dish.
Equipment Needed
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Step-by-step instructions on how to make these delicious cilantro lime chicken
This recipe is super easy and divided into three easy steps. Gather all your ingredients before you start cooking.
The first step is to create your Peppercorn Cilantro Paste. The second is the marinade. Lastly, broil or grill your chicken. Let’s get started!
Making the Peppercorn Paste
- I use a small food processor to grind the peppercorns, peeled garlic, cilantro stems and salt. Once a paste is formed, I add the Thai fish sauce. Give it a quick pulse and proceed to the next step.
Marinade
- In a large bowl, add the peppercorn paste and mix well with the soy sauce, sesame oil, grated ginger with the ginger juice ( do not let it go to waste as it gives us a great seasoning), lime zest, and juice. Mix well.
- Add the chicken drum pieces to your bowl and coat them all over.
- Let it stand covered in the refrigerator or at room temperature for several hours.
If placed in the refrigerator, please return it to room temperature before proceeding to the next step.
Broiling or Grilling
I chose to use the broiler. It was quick and easy and made less mess in my kitchen. I leave this step to you. Below in the recipe card, I have the directions for both methods.
- Preheat the broiler. While the broiler is warming up, place the chicken pieces you just removed from the marinade on a grill pan.
A grill pan is a two-part pan, one bottom part that is a bit shallow, and the top part which is grate-like, where you have slits. The slits are there to let any fat drip thru and be removed from the meat, in this case chicken.
- Place your grill pan 4 to 5 inches from the flame or heat source, and grill for about 6 to 8 minutes.
If using a grill pan oil it prior so the chicken will not stick to the pan.
- Turn the pieces over and grill for another 8 to 10 minutes or until the juices are clear.
- Transfer to a platter and serve with some chopped cilantro leaves, a squeeze of lemon, and plenty of Cilantro-Lime Rice.
Pro Tips
- Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Fresh lime juice is best for this recipe. Do not attempt to use already squeezed and in the bottle as the flavor is more on the bitter side.
- Whenever you have a bunch of coriander, after you use the leaves, chop off the roots, wash them, and store them in a plastic bag in the freezer. There is no need to defrost them. Just chop what you need.
- I will not recommend using boneless skinless chicken breasts, they will be too dry and not as enjoyable. Same goes for boneless skinless chicken thighs.
What dishes can you enjoy with this cilantro lime chicken?
It’s open season when it comes to side dishes. However, I do have a couple of suggestions for you.
Of course, the Cilantro Lime Rice is made to go with it. Same wonderful flavors and takes to time to prepare.
Potatoes are another great combination for this chicken recipe. My all time favorite and can go in the oven at the same time are the Roasted Rosemary Potatoes or the Potatoes with Basil, amazing and super easy too
Roasted Rainbow Carrots with Broccolini is amazing, and preparing it simultaneously will make cooking dinner a breeze.
Variations and Substitutions
These cilantro lime chicken drumsticks are perfect for meal prep. You can easily double the recipe and save the leftovers for meals during the week. There are so many ways to serve this dish that you will never tire of it.
If drumsticks is not your thing, or you have a whole chicken you want to use, make sure the cuts of chicken are all the same size to ensure even cooking.
Boneless chicken thighs is the perfect substitute or addition to this dish.
Add some chopped mint to your finished dish and then squeeze some lime juice over it.
If you want a bit more of a hot spicy kick, feel free to as some red pepper flakes to the marinade.
Storing and Reheating
If you have any leftover cilantro-lime chicken, allow it to rest entirely before transferring it to an airtight-lid glass container. It will be kept in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Reheat on a skillet over the stovetop or in the oven over medium heat until warmed through. Add a splash of olive oil to your pan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use boneless chicken breasts instead?
Yes, it will taste fantastic as well. Do not use skinless chicken breasts. Adjust the cooking time to prevent the skin from drying out while cooking.
How long can chicken marinate in lime?
Chicken can be marinated in lime juice for at least 12 hours to develop the flavor. The maximum marinating time is forty-eight hours; after this, the chicken will break down.
What ingredient is cilantro?
Cilantro is a parsley family member with a pungent, sweet-musky odor and taste. Its leaves are often used as a garnish or a spice in many cuisines.
What does lime juice do to chicken?
Lime juice adds flavor and juiciness to chicken and also acts as a natural tenderizer. Its acidity breaks down connective tissues in the meat.
If you enjoy this cilantro lime chicken, try my other recipes.
Pepper Crusted Rack of Lamb with Horseradish Creme Fraiche
Pad Thai Soup with Shrimp and Vegetables
Cilantro Lime Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken drums ticks, (8 chicken drumsticks)
- 1 tablespoons grated ginger, do use the juice that you get when grating
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- ⅓ cup sesame oil
- 3 large limes, zested and juiced
- 1 lime, for serving
- cilantro, chopped and optional
PEPPERCORN CILANTRO PASTE
- 2 teaspoons black peppercorns
- 7 garlic cloves, (3 tablespoons chopped)
- 3 tablespoons cilantro stems
- pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoons Thai fish sauce
Instructions
TO CREATE THE PEPPERCORN PASTE
- Place the peppercorns, garlic, cilantro stems, and salt in a small blender or other food grinder. Grind until a paste is formed. Stir in the fish sauce.
- (this can store up to 4 days in a well-sealed glass jar)
MARINADE
- In a large bowl, add the peppercorn cilantro paste, soy sauce, sesame oil, grated ginger and their juices, lime zest, and lime juice.
- Place the chicken drum pieces in the marinade and turn to coat well.
- Let it stand covered in the refrigerator or at room temperature for about 2 to 3 hours.
BROILING OR GRILLING
- Heat a grill or preheat the broiler. If using a grill, place the chicken pieces 4 to 5 inches from the flame and grill until the bottom side starts to brown, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- If using a broiler, put the chicken drums in a lightly oiled broiling pan, place 4 to 6 inches from the broiler element, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until the chicken is starting to brown. Turn the pieces over and broil for another 8 minutes or until the juices run clear.
- Transfer the chicken pieces to a platter and serve with some chopped cilantro, squeezed lime, and plenty of rice.
Nutrition
Cooking Canva provides nutritional information, but these figures should be considered estimates, as a registered dietician does not calculate them.
- Course: Dinners, Poultry
- Cuisine: International
- Type: Affordable Gourmet
Did you make this?
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Art Townsend
Delicious! Love it.
Teana Allen
Thank you for making my recipe and your feedback.