This cilantro chicken features a fast marinade of fresh herbs, soy sauce, and sesame oil. You can prepare it quickly for a weeknight dinner and serve it alongside pad thai fried rice or simple steamed vegetables.
Table of Contents
Fresh cilantro gives this easy chicken recipe tons of flavor with very little effort. Inspired by Thai flavors, this cilantro chicken combines lime juice, garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil to create juicy chicken that works beautifully with noodles, vegetables, or my Pad Thai Fried Rice.
This recipe became a favorite in our house after a trip to Thailand, where fresh herbs seemed to find their way into nearly every meal. I loved how cilantro brought freshness and balance to savory dishes, and I wanted a simple version that could fit into busy weeknights. This cilantro chicken delivers those bright flavors without requiring hours in the kitchen.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Ready in about 30 minutes.
- Fresh cilantro and lime add lots of flavor.
- Great for meal prep.
- Easy enough for weeknights.
- Works with chicken breasts or thighs.
- Delicious baked, grilled, or cooked on the stovetop.
Ingredients, Cost & Substitutions
Per Serving Cost: $3.03
Recipe Cost: $15.15
- Chicken tenderloins provide a lean base for this recipe and soak up the fresh marinade beautifully. Boneless skinless chicken thighs work just as well and stay extra juicy.
- Fresh cilantro is the star ingredient. Use both the leaves and tender stems, since the stems contain a lot of flavor. Flat-leaf parsley can be substituted if cilantro is not your favorite.
- Garlic brings savory depth to the marinade. Fresh garlic works best, though garlic paste can be used when short on time.
- Fresh lime juice adds brightness and balances the savory ingredients. Lemon juice works in a pinch.
- Soy sauce provides saltiness and richness. Low-sodium soy sauce helps control the salt level, while coconut aminos offer a gluten-free option.
- Sesame oil adds a subtle nutty flavor that gives this recipe its Thai-inspired character. A small amount goes a long way.
- Brown sugar balances the citrus and savory flavors. Honey makes a nice substitute.
How To Make Cilantro Chicken
- Blend Marinade: Place the 2 large coarsely chopped garlic cloves, ½ cup of chopped cilantro, 2 Tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 Tablespoon of lime juice, and 1 Tablespoon of toasted sesame oil in a food processor. Process the mixture until smooth.
- Coat Meat: Place the 10 thawed, boneless, skinless chicken tenders in a large zipper-top bag. Pour the marinade into the bag. Seal the bag and shake it until the meat is fully coated.
- Rest: Lay the bag flat in the refrigerator. Marinate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
- Prep Oven: Move the oven rack 4 inches from the broiler. Preheat the broiler. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray it lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
- Arrange and Season: Remove the chicken from the marinade. Arrange the tenders in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Space them apart evenly. Drizzle the meat with the 1 Tablespoon of olive oil. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Cook and Serve: Broil until browned and cooked through. This takes about 10 to 14 minutes, depending on your oven. The internal temperature must register 165 degrees Fahrenheit on a meat thermometer. Let the meat rest for 5 minutes. Serve with fresh lime wedges.
Cilantro Chicken Recipe FAQs
Yes, cook the chicken over medium heat until it turns light golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Yes, you can cut chicken breasts into strips or pound them to an even thickness before marinating. You will need to adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of the meat.
Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs are an excellent substitute and stay very juicy.
Serve With:
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Easy Cilantro Thai Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 large garlic cloves coarsely chopped
- ½ cup chopped cilantro
- 2 Tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon lime juice
- 1 Tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 10 boneless skinless chicken tenderloins thawed
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- salt and pepper
- lime wedges for serving
Instructions
Blend Marinade:
- Place the 2 large coarsely chopped garlic cloves, ½ cup of chopped cilantro, 2 Tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 Tablespoon of lime juice, and 1 Tablespoon of toasted sesame oil in a food processor. Process the mixture until smooth.
Coat Meat:
- Place the 10 thawed, boneless, skinless chicken tenders in a large zipper-top bag. Pour the marinade into the bag. Seal the bag and shake it until the meat is fully coated.
Rest:
- Lay the bag flat in the refrigerator. Marinate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
Prep Oven:
- Move the oven rack 4 inches from the broiler. Preheat the broiler. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray it lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
Arrange and Season:
- Remove the chicken from the marinade. Arrange the tenders in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Space them apart evenly. Drizzle the meat with the 1 Tablespoon of olive oil. Season with salt and black pepper.
Cook:
- Broil until browned and cooked through. This takes about 10 to 14 minutes, depending on your oven. The internal temperature must register 165 degrees Fahrenheit on a meat thermometer.
Serve:
- Let the meat rest for 5 minutes. Serve with fresh lime wedges.
Notes
Storing
Freezing
Thawing
Reheating
Make Ahead
Nutrition
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This looks so delicious and yummy! I can’t wait to make this! My husband is going to love this!
My kids to love this flavorful chicken dish. Looks so yummy and best side dish option.
Love the flavours in this easy chicken recipe. I served it with noodles and stir fry veg. The kids loved it!
So many great Thai flavors make this chicken something really special!
What gorgeous flavours! Always on the lookout for recipes that all the family would love and this sounds perfect – bookmarked to try later in the week, thanks!