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Cilantro Lime Chicken Bowls Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 59 reviews

These Cilantro Lime Chicken Bowls are a vibrant, flavorful, and healthy meal perfect for lunch or dinner. Marinated chicken thighs are baked or air-fried to juicy perfection, then served on a bed of cilantro lime rice with black beans, corn, a fresh avocado salsa, and a smoky chipotle sauce for an irresistible combination.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken Marinade

  • 1 1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon lime zest
  • 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely diced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Avocado Salsa

  • 2 ripe avocados, cubed
  • 1/3 cup cilantro, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, diced
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Other Bowl Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked cilantro lime rice
  • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 1/2 cups corn

For the Chipotle Sauce

  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo
  • 1–2 tablespoons adobo sauce
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Whisk Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together lime juice, lime zest, cilantro, olive oil, honey, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to create the marinade.
  2. Marinate Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a shallow bowl or large ziplock bag. Add the marinade, ensuring all pieces are coated. Refrigerate and marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 6 hours.
  3. Prepare Rice: While the chicken marinates, cook cilantro lime rice if not already prepared. Alternatively, add fresh cilantro, lime juice, and salt to pre-cooked rice for a quick version.
  4. Make Chipotle Sauce: Combine Greek yogurt, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, lime juice, salt, and garlic powder in a blender. Blend until smooth and set aside.
  5. Make Avocado Salsa: In a bowl, gently mix together cubed avocados, cilantro, red onion, lime juice, and salt to create a fresh salsa.
  6. Preheat Oven or Air Fryer: When ready to cook, preheat your oven or air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  7. Cook Chicken: Bake the marinated chicken thighs in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or cook in the air fryer for 14-18 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer for accuracy.
  8. Let Rest: Allow the cooked chicken to rest for a few minutes to retain juices.
  9. Assemble Bowls: Build bowls starting with a bed of cilantro lime rice. Add black beans, corn, avocado salsa, and sliced or chopped chicken. Drizzle with the chipotle sauce and garnish with extra fresh cilantro if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

  • Marinate the chicken longer for deeper flavor, up to 6 hours.
  • The recipe can be made using either an oven or an air fryer for cooking the chicken.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
  • Cilantro lime rice can be prepared ahead of time for convenience.
  • The chipotle sauce can be adjusted in spiciness by varying the amount of chipotle peppers and adobo sauce used.

Keywords: cilantro lime chicken, chicken bowls, cilantro lime rice, avocado salsa, chipotle sauce, Mexican chicken recipe, healthy chicken bowls, baked chicken thighs

Find it online: https://lieblingsmahlzeit.com/cilantro-lime-chicken-bowls-recipe/