Lime-Cumin Skillet Chicken
Quick chicken thighs glazed with lime, cumin, and smoky paprika.
Ingredients
- 500 g Chicken
- 2 Lime
- 4 cloves Garlic
- 2 tsp Ground cumin
- 2 tsp Smoked paprika
- 1 tsp Dried oregano
- 2 tbsp Neutral oil
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Black pepper
- 1 tbsp Honey
- 2 tbsp Cilantro (optional)
- ½ tsp Red pepper flakes (optional)
Method
- Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and pat dry.
- Mince the garlic; zest one lime and juice both.
- In a bowl, mix the cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, half the lime juice, and the zest. Toss with the chicken to coat. Marinate while the pan heats.
- Heat the oil in a wide pan over medium-high. Sear the chicken, undisturbed, until deeply browned on one side, 5 minutes. Toss and cook 3 minutes more.
- Add the garlic, remaining lime juice, honey, and chili flakes. Bubble for a minute until the chicken is glazed.
- Scatter cilantro and serve with rice or in tortillas.
Tap “Start cooking” for live timers that flag what to get ahead on while something simmers.
About Lime-Cumin Skillet Chicken
Lime-cumin skillet chicken is a fast, weeknight-friendly take on the bright, citrusy flavors of Mexican cooking, built on boneless chicken thighs cut into bite-size pieces so they sear quickly and pick up plenty of browned edges. The seasoning does the heavy lifting: cumin and smoked paprika give it earthy, smoky depth, dried oregano adds a herbal note, and lime zest and juice bring the tangy, aromatic lift that defines the dish. A touch of honey at the end lets the chicken glaze and catch color, while red pepper flakes add just enough heat to keep it lively.
The key to the flavor is searing the chicken undisturbed until one side is deeply browned before tossing, which builds the caramelized crust that carries the whole dish. Because the lime juice is split between the marinade and the finish, you get both a marinated depth and a fresh, sharp brightness right at the end. It's high in protein and light on carbs and calories, and it's genuinely quick, ready in about twenty-five minutes. Scatter cilantro over the top and serve it with rice, in warm tortillas as tacos, or over a salad.
Lime-Cumin Skillet Chicken: frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Lime-Cumin Skillet Chicken?
A serving has about 505 calories — 33g protein, 14.5g carbs, 35.9g fat, 3.1g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.
Is it high in protein?
Each serving has about 33g of protein, roughly 26% of its calories.
Is Lime-Cumin Skillet Chicken gluten-free?
Based on its ingredients, Lime-Cumin Skillet Chicken has no gluten-containing components, so it's naturally gluten-free — as always, check that any packaged ingredients you use are certified gluten-free to be safe.
Do I need every ingredient to make Lime-Cumin Skillet Chicken?
The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out cilantro, red pepper flakes — they're optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.
How many servings does Lime-Cumin Skillet Chicken make?
This recipe makes 3 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.