Cilantro-Lime Chicken and Corn Recipe for Summer

Zesty cilantro-lime chicken sings with bright, summery flavors that dance across your plate.

Fresh ingredients combine in a melody of taste sensations.

Summer dinners call for simple yet vibrant meals that spark conversation.

Corn adds sweet crunch to this delightful dish, balancing tangy marinade notes.

Each bite promises a burst of herbaceous zing and smoky undertones.

Quick preparation means you can savor more time with loved ones.

This recipe guarantees a memorable meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

What Makes Cilantro-Lime Chicken So Bright and Fresh

• Master this zesty chicken recipe in under 30 minutes of active cooking time.
• Minimal ingredients and simple preparation create a delicious meal without complicated techniques or long ingredient lists.
• Customize with optional jalapeños for heat, swap proteins, or serve over rice, salad, or tacos for multiple meal variations.
• Lean chicken combined with nutritious corn delivers a balanced meal loaded with protein and fresh ingredients.

Ingredients That Bring Zing to Chicken and Corn

Main Ingredients:

• Chicken Breast: Lean protein that absorbs marinade flavors and provides main protein source for the dish.

• Garlic: Adds deep, savory flavor to the marinade and enhances overall taste profile.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb that brings bright, citrusy notes and traditional Mexican-inspired flavor.

• Cumin: Warm, earthy spice that adds depth and complexity to the marinade.
• Paprika: Provides mild smoky flavor and beautiful reddish color to the chicken.

• Olive Oil: Helps distribute marinade flavors and prevents chicken from sticking during cooking.
• Lime Juice: Adds tangy brightness and helps tenderize the chicken.

• Corn: Sweet, charred vegetable that complements the chicken and adds texture.
• Red Onion: Provides sharp, slightly sweet crunch and additional flavor layer.

• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and helps season the chicken and vegetables.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and rounds out the seasoning profile.

• Jalapeno: Brings optional spicy kick and additional fresh pepper flavor.

• Lime Zest: Intensifies citrus notes and adds aromatic brightness to the final dish.

How to Cook Chicken with That Citrus Kick

Step 1: Craft Vibrant Marinade

• Olive oil
• Fresh lime juice
• Lime zest
• Minced garlic
• Ground cumin
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 2: Marinate Chicken

Submerge chicken in marinade inside a bowl or zip-top bag. Allow flavors to meld for 30 minutes to 4 hours in refrigerator.

Step 3: Sear Chicken

Heat large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to plate and let rest.

Step 4: Roast Corn

• Diced red onion
• Chopped jalapeño

Cook for additional minute.

Step 5: Combine and Garnish

Slice chicken into strips. Return to skillet and gently toss with corn. Sprinkle generously with freshly chopped cilantro. Serve immediately while warm.

Tips for Balancing Cilantro, Lime, and Sweet Corn

• Marinate Smartly: Let chicken soak in the zesty lime mixture for maximum flavor, but avoid leaving it longer than 4 hours to prevent the acid from breaking down the meat's texture.
• Control Heat Perfectly: Use medium-high heat when cooking chicken to achieve a golden exterior without burning, ensuring juicy and evenly cooked meat.
• Customize Spice Level: Adjust jalapeno quantity based on personal heat tolerance, removing seeds for milder flavor or adding more for extra kick.
• Layer Flavors Strategically: Cook corn and vegetables in the same skillet after chicken to capture delicious residual seasoning and create depth in the dish.
• Make It Diet-Friendly: Swap chicken for tofu or portobello mushrooms to create a vegetarian version, maintaining the vibrant cilantro-lime marinade's essence.

Saving This Meal for Another Round

• Transfer leftover chicken and corn to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Place cooled chicken and corn in freezer-safe containers or bags. Properly stored, they can last up to 2 months in the freezer.
• Warm leftovers in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Stir occasionally until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
• For quick reheating, use microwave-safe dish and cover with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warm.

What Goes Well with Cilantro Chicken

• Craft a refreshing lime margarita that echoes the cilantro-lime chicken's bright, tangy flavors. The tequila's warmth complements the spices, while fresh lime mirrors the marinade's zestiness.
• Whip up a light jicama and cucumber salad with a similar citrus vinaigrette. The cool, crunchy vegetables balance the chicken's robust seasoning and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Choose a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio with herbal and citrus notes. These wines harmonize perfectly with the cilantro and lime elements, cutting through the dish's richness.
• Prepare cilantro-lime rice with black beans and a touch of cumin. This side dish amplifies the chicken's Mexican-inspired flavors and adds a hearty, complementary texture to the meal.

Fresh Takes on This Zesty Dish

• Herbless Option: Swap cilantro with fresh parsley or chives for a milder herb flavor that still provides brightness to the dish.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Ensure all spices are certified gluten-free and use corn tortillas instead of flour for serving to maintain dietary restrictions.
• Vegetarian Alternative: Replace chicken with firm tofu or grilled portobello mushrooms, marinating them in the same lime-cumin mixture for similar flavor profiles.
• Low-Carb Version: Skip corn and substitute with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles, maintaining the core spice blend and cooking technique while reducing carbohydrate content.

FAQs on Cilantro-Lime Chicken

• Can I use bottled lime juice instead of fresh lime?

Fresh lime juice provides the best flavor, but bottled lime juice works as a convenient alternative. Just ensure it’s 100% lime juice without added preservatives for the most authentic taste.

• What if I don't have cumin or paprika?

You can substitute cumin with chili powder or ground coriander, and paprika with smoked paprika or cayenne pepper for a similar flavor profile. The key is maintaining a balance of spices.

• Is it okay to marinate chicken overnight?

While the recipe suggests 30 minutes to 4 hours, marinating overnight can make the chicken too acidic and potentially change its texture. Stick to the recommended marination time for best results.

• Can I grill this chicken instead of using a skillet?

Absolutely! Grilling will give a nice smoky flavor. Just ensure the grill is preheated to medium-high heat and cook chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Cilantro-Lime Chicken and Corn Recipe

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4.9 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy cilantro-lime chicken and corn brings zesty Mexican flavors to your dinner table. Juicy chicken marinated in bright herbs and tangy lime merges perfectly with sweet grilled corn, delivering a mouthwatering meal you’ll crave again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

Vegetables and Corn:

• 2 cups corn (fresh off the cob, canned, or frozen)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jalapeno, finely diced (optional)
• ¼ cup diced red onion or green onion (optional)

Seasonings and Herbs:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Juice and zest of 2 limes
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro (plus more for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Craft a vibrant marinade by whisking together zesty lime juice, aromatic zest, minced garlic, earthy cumin, smoky paprika, and seasoning in a mixing vessel.
2. Submerge chicken thoroughly in the marinade, ensuring complete coverage. Refrigerate for a minimum of half an hour, allowing flavors to penetrate deeply.
3. Preheat a spacious skillet to medium-high temperature. Extract chicken from marinade, shaking off excess liquid, and carefully place into the hot pan.
4. Sear chicken for approximately 5-6 minutes on each side, developing a golden-brown exterior while maintaining juicy interior. Verify doneness through internal temperature or by cutting into thickest portion.
5. Transfer cooked chicken to a resting plate, allowing juices to redistribute and maintain tenderness.
6. Within the same skillet, introduce corn kernels, toasting until edges become slightly caramelized and kernels appear vibrant and heated through.
7. Incorporate finely diced red onion and optional spicy jalapeño into the corn, sautéing briefly to release aromatic flavors and soften vegetables.
8. Slice chicken into elegant, uniform portions and gently reintroduce to the skillet, intermingling with the roasted corn mixture.
9. Garnish generously with freshly chopped cilantro, creating a bright, herbaceous finish that elevates the entire dish.

Notes

• Optimize marinating time by letting chicken sit in the refrigerator for maximum flavor absorption, ideally closer to 4 hours rather than the minimum 30 minutes.
• Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption, using a meat thermometer to accurately check doneness without overcooking.
• Use fresh lime juice and zest for a brighter, more vibrant citrus profile that elevates the entire dish’s taste and aroma.
• Consider swapping chicken with tofu or plant-based alternatives for a vegetarian version, adjusting cooking time and marinade intensity accordingly.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg