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Cilantro chicken on two plates with rice and avocado.
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5 from 7 votes

Easy Cilantro Chicken

With options to cook it in a pan or in a slow cooker, to let it marinate or cook it right away, this Cilantro Chicken is a perfectly easy option to feed a crowd—or just your family. It has the flavors of carne asada and is so delicious!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 -18
Calories: 298kcal
Author: Amy Palanjian

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch cilantro (about 1 cup, lightly packed)
  • 6 cloves garlic (peeled)
  • ¼ cup reduced sodium soy sauce
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3-4 pounds boneless chicken thighs
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Add the cilantro, garlic, soy sauce, olive oil, orange juice, lime juice, cumin, and salt to a blender. Blend until smooth.
  • Add the chicken to a storage container or bag, top with the marinate, and stir to coat. Seal. (Optional: marinate in the fridge for 2-24 hours to deepen the flavors.)
  • Stovetop: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a nonstick pan over medium heat. When warm, add the chicken. (Make sure the chicken thigh is flat.) Cook for 6 minutes. Flip over, cover, and cook for an additional 8 minutes or until the juices run clear. Remove from the pan and slice or shred to serve.
  • Slow Cooker: Add the chicken to a slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours. Remove some of the liquid, if desired, and shred with forks.
  • Serve with plain rice, cilantro rice, minced onion, fresh cilantro, avocado, or other toppings you like.

Notes

  • Store raw chicken in the marinade for up to 24 hours in an airtight container in the fridge before cooking. Or, store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Slice or shred the chicken. Shredded chicken may be easier for younger kids to chew easily.
  • Use with rice to make chicken burrito bowls or chicken burritos.
  • Use reduced sodium soy sauce to keep the sodium as low as possible.
  • Gluten-free: Use reduced-sodium tamari in place of soy sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 298kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 474mg | Potassium: 283mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 152IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg