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Creamy cilantro lime chicken served with fresh cilantro garnish

Creamy Cilantro Lime Chicken

A cozy chicken dinner featuring a tangy lime and herbaceous cilantro sauce that balances richness and acidity, perfect for weeknights or gatherings.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American-Mexican fusion
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

Chicken Ingredients
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts Choose even-sized breasts or trim/pound for consistent cooking.
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
Sauce Ingredients
  • 1.5 cups chicken broth Reduced sodium recommended.
  • 3 Tablespoons fresh lime juice Fresh is nonnegotiable for flavor.
  • 1/2 cup chopped red onion
  • 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1/2–1 teaspoon red pepper flakes Adjust for spice preference.
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream For a lighter sauce, use half-and-half.
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
Garnish
  • 1 optional lime wedges For garnish.
  • 1 optional cilantro For garnish.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. If chicken breasts are uneven in thickness, pound them to ensure consistent cooking. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.
Cooking
  1. In a large ovenproof skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6–7 minutes, turning once, until browned on the outside.
  2. Transfer chicken to a plate and cover with foil.
  3. Remove skillet from heat and add broth, lime juice, onion, cilantro, and red pepper flakes. Return to heat, cook and stir to scrape up browned bits. Bring to a boil and let boil for 10-12 minutes until reduced to 1/2 cup.
  4. Reduce heat to medium-low, add cream and butter, and stir until melted. Remove from heat.
  5. Add chicken back to skillet, turning to coat in the sauce. Transfer skillet to oven and bake uncovered for 5–10 minutes until chicken is cooked through (165°F/74°C).
  6. Serve chicken topped with sauce, garnished with lime wedges and cilantro if desired.
Storage and Reheating
  1. Leftovers can be refrigerated for a few days and reheated on the stove, microwave, or oven.

Notes

This dish can be adapted for vegan diets by substituting chicken with seared tofu or portobello and using vegetable broth and coconut cream.