Marinated Pollo Asado with Cilantro Lime Rice

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-10 · Updated 2026-07-10

About the author — Lauren Mitchell is the Test Kitchen Director at AislePrompt, with over a decade of professional kitchen experience spanning recipe development, culinary technique testing, and hands-on evaluation of cooking methods across hundreds of tested dishes. Every recipe in the AislePrompt catalog is cooked at least twice before publication. Full author profile →

Citrus-marinated grilled chicken bursting with smoky flavors, served alongside fluffy cilantro lime rice for a vibrant meal. This Mexican-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, orange juice, lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, 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: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 380 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/3 cup orange juice
1/4 cup lime juice
2 tbsp olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 cup long-grain white rice
2 cups water
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tsp lime zest
for serving lime wedges

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Instructions

Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
Step 2: Place 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag and pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours.
Step 3: Meanwhile, rinse 1 cup long-grain white rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a saucepan, combine rinsed rice with 2 cups water, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes until tender.
Step 4: Remove rice from heat and fluff with a fork. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and 1 tsp lime zest.
Step 5: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and grill for 5-6 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear.
Step 6: Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve sliced chicken over cilantro lime rice with lime wedges on the side.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Marinated Pollo Asado with Cilantro Lime Rice take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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 Marinated Pollo Asado with Cilantro Lime Rice?

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 orange juice from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Marinated Pollo Asado with Cilantro Lime Rice?

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 Marinated Pollo Asado with Cilantro Lime Rice for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Marinated Pollo Asado with Cilantro Lime Rice?

Mexican 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.