Citrus Chicken with Cilantro-Garlic Sauce Recipe

This Citrus Chicken with Cilantro Garlic Sauce is bursting with bright flavor and makes a quick, satisfying grilled dinner.

I’m writing from a relaxing getaway at Kiawah Island Resort near Charleston, SC, where I’ve been recharging with family and a few days away from my usual routine. While I’m excited about upcoming projects, today I’m sharing an easy, flavorful recipe inspired by a favorite fast-food citrus chicken: Citrus Chicken with Cilantro Garlic Sauce. I adapted the flavors so you can recreate a bright, tangy grilled chicken and a creamy cilantro-garlic sauce at home.

This recipe is one of several I’ve created using high-quality cuts from ButcherBox. Their grass-fed beef, organic chicken, and heritage pork arrive frozen and ready to use, making meal planning and batch cooking simple when you want consistent, flavorful protein.

Healthy Sources of Protein

Finding trustworthy, affordable sources of high-quality protein can be challenging. Here are three practical options:

1. The grocery store: Convenient but sometimes inconsistent. Look carefully for true grass-fed or organic labels and compare prices.
2. A local farmer: Often more transparent and sometimes more affordable, but availability varies by season and region.
3. Subscription services (like ButcherBox): Reliable, convenient, and delivered frozen to your door. They can simplify planning, especially if you value consistent, quality cuts.

If you’re exploring reliable protein sources for regular meals, a subscription service can be a useful option. The cuts arrive frozen so you can use them at your pace and customize deliveries to suit your needs.

How to Make Citrus Chicken on the Stovetop

No grill? You can make this just as easily on the stovetop. Follow these simple steps:

1. Keep whole pieces of chicken and marinate as directed. Scale the marinade for larger batches.
2. Heat 1 to 3 tablespoons ghee (about 1 tablespoon per pound of chicken) in a cast-iron or enameled pot over high heat to reduce splatter.
3. Sear the chicken in batches for 2–3 minutes per side until browned; remove from the pot.
4. Return all chicken to the pot, lower the heat, cover, and simmer about 20 minutes until cooked through.
5. Serve warm with the cilantro-lime cream sauce, or refrigerate for meals throughout the week.

Citrus Chicken Recipe with Garlic Cilantro Cream Sauce

4.41 — Votes 10 votes

By Cassy

Prep: 4 hours hrs

Cook: 10 mins

Total: 4 hrs 10 mins

Servings: 6 Servings

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Bright citrus-marinated chicken paired with a creamy cilantro-garlic sauce—ideal for a quick weeknight meal or a weekend cookout.

Ingredients  

For the chicken:

• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice about 4 limes
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• fresh chopped cilantro leaves for garnish
• fresh lime for garnish

For the sauce:

• 1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice about 2 limes
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

Instructions

• Toss the chicken with the lime juice, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours. Thread the pieces onto 5–6 metal skewers, aiming for 10–12 pieces per skewer. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Heat a grill or grill pan over high heat. Add the skewers and cook 4–5 minutes per side, until they begin to brown. Transfer to a plate and let rest 5 minutes.
• Make the sauce by combining the coconut milk, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, and salt in a blender. Blend on high about 1 minute, until mostly smooth.
• Serve the sauce over the chicken and garnish with chopped cilantro and lime wedges. Enjoy.

Recipe Notes

• Stovetop batch-cooking option: Keep chicken whole and marinate as directed. Heat 1–3 tablespoons ghee (about 1 tablespoon per pound) in a heavy pot over high heat. Sear chicken in batches 2–3 minutes per side until browned, remove, then return all pieces to the pot, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer about 20 minutes until cooked through. Serve with the cilantro-lime cream sauce or refrigerate for later meals.

Nutrition

Calories: 269kcal | Carbohydrates: 3.5g | Protein: 30.3g | Fat: 14.9g | Saturated Fat: 5.9g | Cholesterol: 142mg | Sodium: 632mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.5g

Additional Info

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Servings: 6 Servings

Calories: 269

Keyword: cilantro cream sauce, citrus chicken

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