Cilantro Lime Chicken Bites – A super quick and easy dinner idea that’s made with chicken, cilantro, lime, and garlic. Ready in less than 20 minutes!
My name is Sharon and I am addicted to anything and everything with cilantro & lime. There, I said it. Ever since I tried the rice at Chipotle, I’ve been obsessed with this simple, yet powerful combination. It’s such a refreshing flavor, with a little bite from the citrus. I love it! Now, if I see anything on a menu with these two ingredients together – cilantro lime sauce, cilantro lime steak, cilantro lime anything- you can pretty much guarantee that I’ll be ordering it.
I’ve already tackled a few cilantro lime recipes myself- this cilantro lime rice and these grilled cilantro lime skewers. Those skewers are unbelievably flavorful but they take some time to marinate so it’s not something I tend to make in a pinch.
But these cilantro lime chicken bites, on the other hand, are perfect for a last-minute meal since it can be made in less than 20 minutes. Plus, because of my previously mentioned obsession with cilantro and lime, I already have all the ingredients sitting in my fridge so there’s nothing extra I need to buy. How much easier can you get?!
This recipe came about back when my husband was traveling a lot. I hated making dinners that required a lot of ingredients since it was just me. Honestly, most nights I’d end up making a sandwich or a bowl of cereal. #lazy
But I started craving more substantial meals that were also quick and easy to make. I found this recipe on Pinterest and fell in love with it! Not only was it so simple but the chicken comes out crispy and with a huge punch of flavor. Just add some rice and beans and you have yourself a complete meal!
This main reason why theses cilantro lime chicken bites cook so quickly is because of the small size of the chicken. The smaller the surface area of your protein, the quicker it takes to raise to the desired temperature. You don’t have to cut the chicken into bites if you don’t want to, but just know that it will take longer for the chicken to cook.
I love giving you guys tips and tricks to make sure that the recipe turns out perfectly. But this recipe is so easy that I don’t need to give you any tips! So go ahead and make this chicken this week. You’re gonna love it!
And don’t forget to scroll past the recipe to check out some more of my favorite easy weekday meals!
Here are all the kitchen tools and serveware that I used in today’s recipe. For each item sold below, I make a small commission. I only recommend items that I own and love so you can trust that each recommendation is tried and true. Thank you for supporting CPA!
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cook Time | 15 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
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- 3 boneless skinless chicken breast
- 3 limes
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup cilantro chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
Ingredients
|
|
- Mince garlic and zest 1 lime and place into a small bowl. Set aside. Juice the 3 limes and place into another bowl. Set aside.
- Cut chicken into evenly sized chunks. Place large pan or braising dish on stove and set to medium high. Add olive oil to pan, just enough to coat the bottom of the pan. Let oil heat up.
- Once oil is really hot, add chicken chunks and let it cook, undisturbed. When the chicken has browned nicely on the bottom and no longer sticks to the pan, sprinkle chicken evenly with cumin and cayenne pepper. Let chicken cook for 1-2 more minutes. Flip chicken so it can brown on the other side.
- Once it's browned, reduce heat to medium low and sprinkle with minced garlic and lime zest. Stir together with chicken to brown the garlic a little but don't let it burn!
- Once chicken is cooked through, add lime juice to pan to help release the browned bits from the bottom of the pan (this releases all that extra flavor!). Give the chicken and lime juice a good stir and then let it cook for another 2 minutes, until the juice has reduced slightly. Serve with your favorite rice and beans for a well-rounded, satisfying meal.
This post first appeared in Julie’s Eats and Treats, where I am a contributor.
Pin for later:
More easy weeknight dinner ideas that you’ll love:
Pasta e Fagioli
Cajun Chicken Pasta
Easy Meatball Subs
This look amazing! Pinned for later.
This sound like my kind of dinner!! Can’t wait to make it!!
xoxo,
angelle
http://www.dashingdarlin.com
Definitely pinning. This chicken looks delicious!
This looks delish! Always looking for new ways to prepare chicken! thanks
Definitely have to try that penne pasta meal! Thanks for sharing such awesome
recipes. 🙂
You’re so welcome! Glad you enjoy them!!
Cilantro and lime is such a great flavor combination. I was salivating looking at your photos!
xoxo Barb
Aw thanks so much!
Looks really yummy and easy enough to make for a nice quick dinner.
Sure is!
This looks amazing! Also the perfect kid friendly cinco de mayo dish!
Y0u’re so right!
I love their rice, too! This seems simple and easy. I think I need to try it out this weekend!
Let me know how you like the recipe!
Wow this looks amazing! I have never tried this before maybe I can use the recipe this weekend. Thanks for sharing!
Julie
Let me know how it turns out!
Hi Sharon. I’m Jolina and it looks like we’re in the same cilantro/lime support group lol! It’s one of our favourite, go-to flavour combinations. And these chicken bites look incredible!
Bahaha! Glad I’m not the only one!
I make something similar to this quite often, it is the best! And pretty easy to whip up 🙂 yum!
xx nicole
Great minds think alike!
This looks like a great weeknight dinner recipe! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Sounds so fresh and light for Summer! We love chicken, we cook it a couple of times a week, but it can get so boring! This looks like a nice and easy update we can make over and over again. Yum!
Exactly! I was so bored of the plain chicken I would make. This was an easy and quick way to jazz it up!
That looks amazing! I’m so trying this next week!
Belle
Thanks!
I pinned this because I have been craving cilantro like anything. This looks fabulous and I like how it can be made quickly.
Thank so much! I hope you get to try it soon!
This looks super tasty and I love quick to make items.
Thank you!
I LOVE cilantro! I keep trying to grow it in my window sill because I love the smell! This recipe is a must try!
Oooo good idea! I use it so much so I should try to grow it too!
I’m going to be lookin good Cookin, thanks for the recipe. I’m doing it tonight!
You’re welcome! Let me know how it turns out for you!
So going to give this a try even though I’m not the biggest coriander fan these look too good not to make.
Wow that’s great! Let me know if they change your mind.
Must. make. this. soon. Looks incredibly tasty!
Thanks so much!
I like things that are healthy, delicious, and can be made in under a half-hour 🙂
Yay! Then you’re gonna LOVE these bites