• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Everyday Latina
  • Recipes
  • Authentic Mexican Recipes
  • Mi Casa
    • Kid-Friendly Tips
    • Natural Home Remedies
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • All Recipes
  • Authentic Mexican Recipes
  • Mi Casa
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Pan Seared Cilantro Lime Chicken

    Published: May 21, 2018 · Modified: Mar 16, 2023 by Gemma · This post may contain affiliate links.

    A pan-seared cilantro lime chicken recipe with simple steps to ensure a perfectly cooked, moist and tender chicken that is great with a simple side or served atop a salad.

    Cilantro lime chicken ingredients #chicken #pansearedchicken #cilantrolimechicken

    {This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link.}

    When I first got married I was not the biggest fan of cooking chicken. Don’t get me wrong, I love eating chicken and I will take a Chick-Fil-A sandwich any day of the week, even on Sundays if it was possible. (I always crave Chick-Fil-A on Sundays, don’t you?)

    However, whenever I would try to cook chicken it never tasted right. It would be bland and boring, completely dried out, or stringy and unappetizing.

    Unfortunately for my taste-tester husband, he had to suffer through quite a few failed chicken recipes. Finally, we both decided that if chicken was to be on the dinner menu the chicken chef duties would be left to him. Thankfully for our frightened palates, he did a much better job cooking chicken.

    Learning to Cook Chicken

    Determined to vanquish the cooking-chicken beast, I searched through anything I could find looking for the best ways to cook chicken. After sometime, I found success cooking chicken in the pressure cooker, slow cooker and in the oven. I beamed with pride when I baked my first juicy, flavorful chicken dish that my husband and I both enjoyed.

    Soon my confidence grew and I began experimenting with different spices, flavors and cooking methods. Then, I learned about pan-searing chicken and my culinary world was turned upside down!

    Now here we are, almost seven years of being married, and millions of cooking-chicken experiences later (that’s definitely an exaggeration) and I can confidently say I know how to cook chicken that is not only edible but moist and delicious.

    I asked my husband recently if he'd like to cook the chicken for dinner and he said, "Oh no, you're much better at cooking chicken than I am now." And he actually meant it!

    Pan Seared Cilantro Lime Chicken

    Today I have a recipe for pan-seared cilantro lime chicken breasts that is super easy and super tasty. I am sure you are much better at cooking chicken than I was seven years ago. Even if you are not, this recipe will ensure you have a great cilantro lime chicken to serve from your kitchen.

    Preparing the Chicken

    To begin, place each of the chicken breasts in a plastic bag or between two sheets of plastic wrap. With a meat mallet (or bottom of a heavy pan), pound the chicken until it is ¼-inch thick. This will ensure all the chicken breasts are the same thickness for faster and even cooking.

    Next, create a cilantro, lime, garlic powder, olive oil, salt and pepper marinade. To strengthen the flavors, marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for at least 45 minutes or longer if possible.

    Ingredients for cilantro lime chicken

    Pan Searing

    Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to an oven-safe pan and heat on medium until the oil is nice and hot. I like to use a cast iron skillet (like the one you can find by clicking here) for pan searing.

    Once the oil is hot, carefully take each chicken breast and let most of the juices from the marinade drain off before placing it in the hot pan to avoid too much splatter. I always have the lid of a pan ready for this step.

    Also, on a tip from my sister-in-law, I recently purchased a Frywall that helps block splatter and keeps the chicken from steaming instead of searing (find it by clicking here).

    Cook the chicken on each side for 4-5 minutes until there is a nice brown sear on both sides. For this step, it is very important that the oil is hot so that the chicken sears and doesn’t steam. The searing will seal the juices inside of the chicken, ensuring your chicken stays moist.

    Pan Seared Cilantro Lime Chicken #chicken #cilantrolimechicken

    Finish in Oven

    Transfer the pan to a 350°F oven for 15-25 minutes. I recommend using a cooking thermometer to determine if the chicken is cooked (between 165°-170°F). You can always cut into the chicken to see if its done, but that does let some of the juices trickle out. I like to use a digital cooking thermometer, like the one found here.

    Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting. This allows the chicken to finish cooking and it won’t loose any of its juices. I tent a sheet of aluminum foil over the chicken to keep it from getting cold while it rests.

    The result is a tangy and tasty cilantro lime chicken that is golden-brown on the outside and moist and tender on the inside. You can serve it with some cauliflower rice or a nice salad, like I did, and enjoy!

    Pan Seared Cilantro Lime Chicken #chicken #cilantrolimechicken

    Recipe

    Cilantro lime chicken ingredients #chicken #pansearedchicken #cilantrolimechicken

    Pan Seared Cilantro Lime Chicken

    by Gemma Aguayo-Murphy
    Tangy, moist and delicious chicken breasts, pan seared then finished in the oven.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Servings 2 servings

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 skinless chicken breasts
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil for frying

    Marinade

    • ¼ cup lime juice (about 2 limes)
    • ¼ cup fresh chopped cilantro
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • ½ teaspoon ground pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Place each of the chicken breasts in a plastic bag or between two sheets of plastic wrap. With a meat mallet (or bottom of a heavy pan), pound the chicken until it is ¼-inch thick.
    • In a bowl, whisk together the lime juice, chopped cilantro, garlic powder, olive oil, salt and pepper.
    • Place the chicken in a shallow bowl or large resealable plastic bag. Add the marinade, toss to coat and refrigerate from 45 minutes to 2 hours.
    • Heat remaining tablespoon of olive oil in an oven-safe pan or cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully take each chicken breast and let most of the juices from the marinade drain off before placing it in the hot pan to avoid splatter.
    • Sear chicken on both sides for 4-5 minutes until it's a nice golden-brown color (chicken will not be fully cooked).
    • Transfer the pan to a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until the meat is cooked through and no longer pink or when a cooking thermometer reads between 165°F-170°F.
    • Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting. Loosely tent a piece of aluminum foil over the pan to keep chicken from getting cold.
    • Slice and serve.
    Did you try this recipe?Leave me a comment and star rating below or mention @everydaylatina on Instagram!
    My Amazon Picks for This Recipe:

    More Healthy & Whole30 Recipes

    • Plate with refried beans, toast and huevos con jamon
      Huevos con Jamon (Scrambled Eggs with Ham)
    • Glass full of Mexican shrimp cocktail
      Coctel de Camarones (Mexican Shrimp Cocktail)
    • Bowl of salsa bandera with a plant and red cloth in the background
      Fresh Salsa Bandera (Pico de Gallo)
    • Bowl of 4-ingredient guacamole surrounded by tortilla chips and vegetables
      4-Ingredient Guacamole Recipe with Roasted Vegetables

    About Gemma

    Gemma is the recipe developer, writer and food photographer behind Everyday Latina. Gemma was born in Mexico, but has spent the majority of her life in the United States. She has been sharing recipes since 2018 with an emphasis on her parents' traditional Mexican cuisine and a focus on clean, healthy ingredients. Her goal is to build a community of people who appreciate family, food and culture and, who like her, want to live a healthy, happy everyday life.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Bethany

      May 24, 2018 at 2:56 am

      Sounds delicious! I’m putting it on the meal plan. It’s the perfect summertime recipe!

      Reply
      • everydaylatina

        May 24, 2018 at 9:25 pm

        That's wonderful! I hope you like it.

        Reply
    2. Jennifer

      May 23, 2018 at 10:07 pm

      This looks like such a delicious meal! I love lime with chicken! I think it really brightens it up!

      Reply
      • everydaylatina

        May 24, 2018 at 9:25 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    3. Stacey

      May 23, 2018 at 7:08 pm

      I am loving the beautiful color of the chicken plus the lime and cilantro! Yum!

      Reply
      • everydaylatina

        May 24, 2018 at 9:23 pm

        It's great, thank you!

        Reply
    4. Emily @ Pizza & Pull-Ups

      May 23, 2018 at 2:35 pm

      Lime and cilantro are some of my favorite flavors, yum!

      Reply
      • everydaylatina

        May 24, 2018 at 9:23 pm

        I agree!

        Reply
    5. Denise Riehle

      May 23, 2018 at 1:07 pm

      That marinade sounds incredible. I can't wait to try it! Thank you for the great recipe idea!

      Reply
      • everydaylatina

        May 24, 2018 at 9:23 pm

        Thank you! I hope you like it!

        Reply
    6. Andy

      May 23, 2018 at 12:50 pm

      This would be delicious served as street tacos on corn tortillas with a little avocado and lime. I’ve also found that organic chicken cooks up so much better than standard frozen chicken breasts. Great recipe!

      Reply
      • everydaylatina

        May 24, 2018 at 9:22 pm

        Yes you are so right, all those are delicious ideas! I agree about the chicken, we're really been trying to buy organic chicken whenever we can.

        Reply
    7. Corey

      May 23, 2018 at 10:22 am

      Very tasty looking and I love all of your photos

      Reply
      • everydaylatina

        May 24, 2018 at 9:21 pm

        Thank you so much!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Gemma! I am originally from Mexico and the recipe developer, writer, and food photographer behind Everyday Latina. Here you will find traditional Mexican cuisine and a focus on clean, healthy ingredients. 

    More About Me →

    Trending Recipes

    • Two gluten-free empanadas de sardina on a plate with cilantro and jalapeño slices beside them.
      Gluten-Free Empanadas de Sardina
    • Frijoles Refritos (Mexican Refried Beans)
    • Guajillo enchilada sauce in a saucepan
      Guajillo Enchilada Sauce
    • Three tacos dorados de pollo on a brown Mexican plate topped with garnishes
      Tacos Dorados de Pollo (Crispy Chicken Tacos)

    Summer Recipes

    • Shrimp Ceviche in a brown bowl with a lime.
      Mexican Shrimp Ceviche
    • Three clear glasses of Agua De Sandia with water slices besides them.
      Agua De Sandia
    • Grilled Rajas con Papas #grilledrajasconpapas #rajasconpapas #papasconrajas #mexicanfood
      Grilled Rajas con Papas
    • Spicy pineapple-jalapeño salsa #pineapplesalsa
      Spicy Pineapple-Jalapeño Salsa

    Follow Me

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Disclosure and Privacy

    Newsletter

    Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • TikTok

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Everyday Latina