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Yup I’m coming at you with another grilling recipe, because grilling season is here and I’m ALL about it! I love grilling for so many reasons, but a big reason is that most grilling recipes are easy to make and are usually better-for-you; like today’s simple and flavorful, Cilantro Lime Grilled Chicken. This chicken recipe uses wholesome and heart-healthy ingredients, like lean boneless, skinless chicken breasts and fresh herbs. I also use Mazola® Corn Oil in the marinade because a clinical study showed Mazola Corn Oil reduces cholesterol 2x more than extra virgin olive oil. To learn more about this claim, see Mazola.com. 

Mazola Corn Oil is a heart-healthy* cooking oil and creates marinades that make great-tasting food because it has a neutral taste that lets the natural flavor of your food stand out.​

In fact, Mazola Corn Oil is an all-purpose, cholesterol free cooking oil that is a smart, heart-heathy choice for the entire family. It has a variety of uses including baking, grilling, sautéing, stir frying, or mixing up a marinade or dressing. Since Mazola also has a high smoke point (450˚ F), it is great for stir frying at high temperatures and grilling.

Not only do I love grilling for all the great tasting, better-for-you dinners you can create right on the grill, but because of all the great memories we have created from grilling out. Grilling has been our favorite family past time for so many years, and while there is something special about hosting a backyard barbecue with friends, I really enjoy the simplicity of spending a quite Sunday afternoon at home with just my little family.

To me, there is nothing quite like a breezy, late spring evening – running carelessly through freshly cut grass, sipping on an ice-cold glass of tea in the shade of a pecan tree, laughing at the silliest things, all while dinner cooks nearby on the grill. It’s uncomplicated, yet perfectly perfect all at the same time and that’s why I live for grilling season!

This simple Cilantro Lime Grilled Chicken recipe is one of my go to recipes for the grill. It uses pantry staples in the marinade and is so easy to whip up. This chicken marinade is packed with flavor and yields a tender grilled chicken that is amazing on its own, simply paired with some grilled vegetables or juicy watermelon, or can be transformed into an array of other Tex-Mex inspired dishes. If you love grilling out as much as I do, I hope you try this easy dinner recipe at your next backyard barbecue!

Helpful Cooking Tips and Information:

Cilantro Lime Grilled Chicken Ingredient Substitutions:

Lime juice and zest – This recipe calls for fresh lime juice, as well as lime zest. However, you could omit the zest and use ½ cup bottled lime juice instead of fresh.

Apple cider vinegar – Soy sauce, white wine vinegar or additional lime juice can be substituted.

Honey – Brown sugar could be substituted for the honey used in this chicken recipe.

Garlic powder – 2-3 cloves of fresh garlic can be used instead of garlic powder.

Onion powder – Grate 1 small onion into the marinade to replace the onion powder.

Chicken cutlets – 6-8 chicken thighs could also be used in this grilled chicken recipe.

Make ahead tip:

Turn this chicken recipe into a family friendly freezer meal by placing the chicken in a freezer safe food storage baggie. Add the prepared marinade, seal and freeze for up to three months.

Thaw chicken in the marinade in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours or until chicken is completely thawed. Grill thawed chicken as directed in recipe below.

What to serve with Cilantro Lime Grilled Chicken?

I like to serve this grilled chicken recipe with my go to Cilantro Lime Rice and Colorful Black Bean Salad (both pictured with the chicken below). However, this recipe would also be delicious served with my Corn, Avocado and Tomato Salad or our favorite Mexican Street Corn recipe and some juicy, ripe watermelon!

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Cilantro Lime Grilled Chicken

Yield: Serves 4-6 people

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Additional Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

An easy and affordable dinner recipe, this Cilantro Lime Grilled Chicken is tender and juicy making it perfect for summer grilling!

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Ingredients

• 4-5 limes, juiced and zested (see notes)*
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon each kosher salt and black pepper
• 1 cup fresh cilantro (leaves and stems)
• 1/4 cup Mazola Corn Oil
• 4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Instructions

1. In a small food processor or blender, combine the lime juice and zest, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, hot sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, salt, black pepper, cilantro and Mazola Corn Oil; blending until well combined.
2. Place chicken in a large resealable plastic bag or plastic food storage container. Pour marinade over chicken and let chicken marinate for at least one hour (or up to eight hours).
3. When ready to grill, preheat and lightly oil an outdoor or indoor grill pan to 400° Fahrenheit. Cook marinated chicken breasts on preheated grill for 5-7 minutes per side, or until chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165° Fahrenheit.
4. Serve with freshly squeezed lime juice and chopped cilantro, if desired.

Notes

*You will need ½ cup of lime juice and 1 tablespoon lime zest.