These juicy, zesty, fresh cilantro lime chicken thighs are the perfect summer recipe. The flavorful bite of the tender meat and crispy skin make for a delicious meal that is super easy to make.  With only a few ingredients, transform fatty thighs into light delights.

How to make the cilantro lime marinade

The secret to this recipe is in the marinade.  The freshly squeezed lime juice breaks down the fattiness of the meat, while olive oil helps create the crispy skin.

In a mixing bowl, add olive oil, freshly squeezed lime juice, minced garlic, brown sugar for some sweetness, freshly chopped cilantro, red pepper flakes and Dad’s All Purpose rub. Whisk the ingredients together an add in the bone in with skin chicken thighs.  You can always exchange the protein to your preference, like boneless thighs or chicken breast.  

Pro tip: poke tiny holes in the chicken to allow more of the marinade to penetrate into the meat.

Place the marinating chicken thighs in the fridge for at least 30 minutes allowing it to absorb all the delicious summer flavors.

How to grill the perfect cilantro lime chicken thighs.

Preheat the grill to 375 degrees and set for dual zone heat.  This means you have the ability to grill in both direct and indirect heat.  First, place the marinated cilantro lime chicken thighs on the direct side to get a nice sear all around.  2 minutes per side is all you need.  Next, transfer the seared thighs on the the indirect side and grill until the internal temperature reaches 175 degrees.  The reason for the higher temp is to make sure the dark meat near the bone is cooked well.

Before serving, drizzle with some olive oil, add lime zest and sprinkle more freshly chopped cilantro over the top.  Enjoy!

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