Baked Cilantro Lime Chicken
This baked chicken has everything from sweet to spicy to acidity and is ready in under 30 minutes!
I was drawn to this recipe because it looked so good and should not have been shocked that it had a spice rub to give it the rich color - especially for baked chicken, but here is a baked chicken with a spice rub. The cilantro lime flavor comes in after it has been baked. The spice rub contains sweetness from brown sugar and then loads of flavor from chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic with a little heat from the cayenne. What I really love about it is that it is ready in under 30 minutes!
What you need:
3 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 6 breasts (pound to even thickness)
3 to 4 Tbsp. olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup light brown sugar
2 to 3 Tbsp. chili powder
2 tsp. cumin
1 to 2 tsp paprika (smoked or regular)
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
Lime juice for serving
2 to 3 Tbsp. cilantro, chopped
Directions:
Drizzle chicken with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Set aside on a foil lined baking sheet.
In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne.
Rub spice mix onto chicken, adding a little more spice mix on top than on the bottom.
Bake in a preheated 425 degree oven for 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
Drizzle baked chicken with fresh lime juice and cilantro. Tent with foil and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Recipe from Averie Cooks