cilantro chicken with lemon or lime and garlic

After having beef, corned beef, a casserole and crab, we were ready for some chicken. I flipped through more of my to-try recipes and this was the ticket. I had all the ingredients, which made it an instant winner! And it had citrus (it calls for lime juice; I had lemons instead), garlic and cilantro. If I’d started it several hours ahead, or even overnight, it likely would have been even better. But I did it at the last minute. It was delicious. I really enjoyed the garlic (6 cloves for 4 servings . . . wow), and the tang of lemon juice.

 

The recipe came from Sunset, in March of 2006, submitted by Cheryl Brown of Englewood, Colorado. The recipe blurb said Cheryl and her husband Rick once owned a restaurant in Littleton, Colorado, and this dish was a popular favorite.

 

Cook’s Notes: Start this a day ahead to get the best garlic flavor. Remember to pound the chicken so it’s mostly an even thickness (you’ll get more evenly cooked chicken). Use the remaining lemon juice in some rice to give it a nice zip too. A great combination.

 

Cilantro Chicken

Recipe By: Sunset, March 2006

Serving Size: 4

2 pounds boned and skinned chicken breast halves — 4 pieces

1/4 cup lime juice — or lemon juice

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

6 whole garlic cloves — chopped

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1.  Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness (about 1/2 in.) and place in a shallow baking pan. 

2.  In a small bowl, mix lime juice, cilantro, garlic, honey, olive oil, salt, and pepper.  Pour over chicken and turn pieces to coat evenly.  Cover and chill at least 30 minutes or overnight. 

3.  Lay chicken on a grill over medium heat (you can hold you hand over the surface only 4 to 5 seconds) and cook, turning once, until no longer pink in the center, 4 to 6 minutes per side.

Per Serving: 307 Calories; 6g Fat (18.9% calories from fat); 53g Protein; 7g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 132mg Cholesterol; 416mg Sodium.  Exchanges: 0 Grain (Starch); 7 1/2 Lean Meat; 1/2 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 1/2 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.
Printer-friendly PDF recipe.