Stovetop~40 minComplexity
Easy Cilantro Lime Chicken
This Cilantro Lime Chicken provides 27g protein and 296 calories per serving — solid macros for a stovetop dinner that fits most cutting phases. Makes 6 servings in quick prep time, letting you tackle multiple meals in one cooking session. Use it as your protein base to anchor meals around vegetables and carbs while staying on target.
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Ingredients
6 servings
- •2 tbsp Olive oil
Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.
- •4 Garlic(12g)
- •0.5 tsp Cumin, Ground
- •0.5 tsp 1/2 tsp salt ($0.02)
- •freshly cracked pepper ($0.05)
- •2 Lime(134g)
- •1 Cilantro, Fresh(29g)
- •1.5 lbs Chicken Thigh, Boneless Skinless
Boneless skinless thighs. Fattier than breast but more forgiving to cook.
Instructions
- 1Mince the garlic and combine with olive oil, ground cumin, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Zest one lime and squeeze to collect 2–3 Tbsp juice (use half the second lime if needed). Roughly chop the fresh cilantro and divide into two portions.
- 2Stir the lime zest, lime juice, and half the chopped cilantro into the oil mixture. Place the chicken thighs in a shallow dish or zip-top bag, coat thoroughly with marinade, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 8 hours, turning once or twice.
- 3Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat for 2–3 minutes until hot.
- 4Add the chicken thighs to the skillet and cook 5–7 minutes per side, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F when measured at the thickest part away from bone.
- 5Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board and let rest 2–3 minutes.
- 6Divide the chicken evenly among 6 airtight containers while still warm. Top each portion with the remaining fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice.
- 7Cut the remaining lime into wedges and include 1–2 wedges per container for extra garnish and acidity at serving time.
- 8Cool to room temperature, then seal and refrigerate up to 4 days.
Nutrition — Per Serving
215
calories
22g
protein
14g
fat
- Carbohydrates
- 3g
- Saturated fat
- 2.5g
- Sodium
- 74 mg
- Dietary fiber
- 0.8g
6 servings per batch · ~147g each
Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central
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How much protein does Easy Cilantro Lime Chicken have per serving?
Each serving contains 27g of protein and 296 calories, with 16g fat and 13g carbs. The macros provide a balanced profile for maintenance or moderate calorie surplus eating.
How long does Easy Cilantro Lime Chicken take to prep?
This recipe has quick prep time and makes 6 servings in a single batch, so you can prepare multiple days of lunches or dinners during one cooking session. Stovetop cooking is efficient for meal prepping.
Is Easy Cilantro Lime Chicken good for muscle gain?
At 27g protein and 296 calories per serving with moderate carbs, this chicken works as a lunch component in muscle-gain phases, though you'd want to pair it with higher-calorie sides to hit surplus targets. The lean macros provide versatility across different meal compositions.
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