Cilantro Lime Chicken
Cilantro Lime Chicken delivers 53g protein and 600 calories per serving, hitting your muscle-building macros in three substantial portions. The stovetop preparation finishes quickly once your training is done, keeping prep friction low on busy days. Use this for weeks when protein and total calories need to climb together.
Ingredients
- •Chicken Thigh, Boneless Skinless(794g)
Boneless skinless thighs. Fattier than breast but more forgiving to cook.
- •Lime Juice, Fresh(15g)
- •Olive oil(30g)
Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.
- •Honey(15g)
- •Cumin, Ground(3g)
- •½ teaspoon kosher salt
- •¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- •Garlic(120g)
- •Cilantro, Fresh(80g)
- •Canola oil(15g)
Instructions
- 1Place the chicken thighs in a shallow dish or ziptop bag.
- 2In a bowl, stir together the lime zest, lime juice, cilantro, olive oil, garlic, honey, cumin, salt, and pepper. Until fairly smooth. Pour over the chicken and turn to coat evenly. Refrigerate to marinade for 1 hour, or refrigerate for up to 8 hours.
- 3When ready to cook, remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for at least 10 minutes. Heat a large cast iron on similar sturdy skillet over medium high heat. Once the skillet is hot (a drop of water should bead up and dance on the surface), add 1 tablespoon canola oil and swirl to coat.
- 4With tongs, remove the chicken thighs from the marinade, shaking off any excess, and lower into the skillet, smooth-side down. Let cook on the first side undisturbed for 4 minutes (don't peek!). Flip the chicken and cook on the other side until the chicken reaches 165°F on an instant read thermometer, about 3 to 5 minutes more. Remove to a plate, cover, and let rest 5 minutes. Sprinkle generously with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges and the crema on the side
Nutrition — Per Serving
600
calories
53g
protein
37g
fat
- Carbohydrates
- 19g
- Saturated fat
- 6.2g
- Sodium
- 186 mg
- Dietary fiber
- 1.7g
3 servings per batch · ~357g each
Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central
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How much protein does Cilantro Lime Chicken have per serving?
Each serving delivers 53g of protein and 600 calories with 37g fat and 19g carbs. This is a high-protein, moderate-calorie option that skews toward fat intake from the chicken preparation.
How long does Cilantro Lime Chicken take to prep?
This recipe features quick prep time and makes 3 servings in one batch. You'll have enough for several meals with minimal time investment on the stovetop.
Is Cilantro Lime Chicken good for muscle gain?
At 53g protein per serving, this recipe supports muscle gain goals effectively, though the 19g carbs per serving is lower than ideal for post-workout refueling. Pair it with a separate carb source to optimize the anabolic window.
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