Cilantro-Lime Chicken

Prep: 10 mins

Cook: 20 mins

Difficulty: Easy

Servings: 4 Servings

It’s easy to get in a chicken breast rut, but this recipe will get you back in your groove. The chicken cooks in a fragrant sauce of garlic, butter, lime zest and juice, and fresh cilantro, which boosts the flavor of the chicken and makes it moist. The acid from the limes protects the meat from drying out, while the touch of butter lends just enough richness to each bite. Although not essential, serving the chicken over rice or cauliflower rice is a smart move, because you’ll want to enjoy every bit of the sauce.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds total), pounded to 1/2-inch thick
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
Finely grated zest of 2 medium limes
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (from 2 to 4 limes)
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems
Cooked rice, for serving (optional)

Instructions

Thoroughly pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Generously season all over with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a 10-inch or larger skillet over medium-high heat shimmering. Working in batches if needed, add the chicken and sear until deeply browned on the bottom, 5 to 7 minutes. Flip the chicken and sear until the other side is well browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate; set aside.
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter, garlic, and lime zest, and cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute. Stir in the lime juice. Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Cover, reduce the heat as needed to maintain a gentle simmer, and simmer until the chicken is cooked through and registers 165ºF on an instant-read thermometer, 2 to 3 minutes.
Stir in the cilantro and spoon some of the sauce over the chicken. Serve with rice, if desired.