Description
Achieve perfectly crispy skin and tender, juicy meat with this easy recipe for Crispy Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs. Marinated in a zesty cilantro-lime blend and pan-seared to perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 to 2 pounds total)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for searing
- Juice of 1–2 limes (about 2–3 tablespoons)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- Optional: Pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat
Instructions
- 1. Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, chopped cilantro, minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
- 2. Marinate the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs thoroughly dry with paper towels. In a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish, combine the chicken thighs with the prepared marinade. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or ideally for 2-4 hours.
- 3. Preheat the Oven and Skillet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat on the stovetop. Add about 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil to the skillet.
- 4. Sear the Chicken: Carefully remove the chicken thighs from the marinade, letting any excess drip off. Discard the remaining marinade. Place the chicken thighs, skin-side down, in the hot skillet. Sear for 4-6 minutes, or until the skin is deeply golden brown and crispy.
- 5. Flip and Sear the Other Side: Flip the chicken thighs to the other side and sear for another 2-3 minutes.
- 6. Finish in the Oven: Transfer the skillet with the chicken thighs directly to the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- 7. Rest the Chicken: Once cooked, remove the skillet from the oven. Let the chicken thighs rest in the skillet for about 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes for best crispy results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Oven Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 thigh
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 19g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 25g