Lime-Cilantro Marinated Chicken with Cucumber Salad

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Bright lime-cilantro chicken breasts served with a refreshing cucumber-dill salad. This latin-inspired chicken ready in about 37 minutes pairs chicken breasts, lime, fresh cilantro for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 12 min Serves 2 Latin cuisine 360 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Whisk lime zest, lime juice, 2 tbsp cilantro, 1 tbsp avocado oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a bowl. Add chicken breasts, coating evenly; marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature.
  2. Step 2: Heat remaining 1 tbsp avocado oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  3. Step 3: While chicken cooks, combine cucumber, red onion, 1 tbsp dill, apple cider vinegar, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp water in a bowl.
  4. Step 4: Rest chicken for 5 minutes, then slice thinly. Toss cucumber salad ingredients together. Serve chicken with cucumber salad on the side.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Lime-Cilantro Marinated Chicken with Cucumber Salad take to make?

Total time is about 37 minutes (25 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Lime-Cilantro Marinated Chicken with Cucumber Salad?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken breasts from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Lime-Cilantro Marinated Chicken with Cucumber Salad?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Lime-Cilantro Marinated Chicken with Cucumber Salad for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Lime-Cilantro Marinated Chicken with Cucumber Salad?

Latin chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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