When it comes to meal prep, we’re all about keeping it simple, juicy, and downright delicious—and this Baked Cilantro Chicken Thighs recipe checks every box. Think: herbaceous cilantro, zesty lime, sweet honey, and a golden roasted finish that will make your taste buds sing (yes, sing). This recipe is perfect for busy folks who want big flavor without spending hours in the kitchen.
Let’s get right into it—and don’t worry, this is meal prep made easy with a whole lot of flair.
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Why You’ll Love This Cilantro Chicken for Meal Prep:
- Bold Flavor, Zero Boredom: No dry or bland chicken here! That cilantro-lime-honey combo is magic.
- Easy to Make: One marinade. One pan. Minimal cleanup. Maximum payoff.
- Stays Juicy All Week: Chicken thighs are forgiving—they stay tender even days later.
- Flexible Pairings: Serve in tacos, wraps, salads, or grain bowls. It’s your call!
- Meal Prep Friendly: Makes 4–5 portions, perfect for weekday lunches or dinner.
- Veggie Built-In: Bell peppers and onions roast beautifully right with the chicken.
- Great for Freezing: Make an extra batch and freeze for a flavor-packed future meal.
Recipe Ingredients for Cilantro Chicken:
- Olive Oil: Olive oil acts as the carrier of flavor, helping the marinade stick to the chicken and penetrate it deeply. It also gives everything a luscious, roasted finish and keeps the chicken and veggies from drying out in the oven.
- Lime Juice: Lime brings the zing! It tenderizes the chicken slightly, balances out the honey’s sweetness, and enhances the natural flavors of the herbs and spices. That fresh citrus flavor pops after baking, too.
- Honey: This touch of sweetness helps balance the acidity from the lime and rounds out the herbal sharpness from the cilantro and garlic. It also helps caramelize the chicken and veggies as they roast, adding color and a subtle glaze.
- Salt: It’s simple, but essential. Salt enhances every other flavor in the dish and brings out the natural umami in the chicken.
- Garlic Powder + Paprika + Black Pepper: These spices add background warmth, smokiness, and complexity. Garlic powder boosts the garlicky depth, paprika brings a soft smokiness and beautiful color, and black pepper adds a subtle kick.
- Red Bell Pepper: These colorful strips roast into sweet, tender bites that contrast beautifully with the savory chicken. They’re not only delicious, but also boost your meal prep with extra fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin C.
- Red Onion: Red onion becomes sweet and caramelized when roasted—adding another layer of flavor and a bit of texture to each bite. When it mixes with the chicken juices and marinade, it soaks up that flavor and brings a touch of magic.
Easy Steps for Baked Cilantro Chicken
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures it’s hot and ready by the time you’ve prepped everything.
- Make the marinade: In a blender or food processor, combine the chopped cilantro, garlic cloves, ¼ cup olive oil, lime juice, honey, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper. Blend until everything is well combined and forms a smooth green marinade. Set aside.
- Prepare the chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a large baking dish or casserole dish, skin side up if using skin-on. Pour about ¾ of the marinade over the chicken. Use a basting brush or spoon to spread the marinade all over the surface of the chicken so it’s fully coated. Reserve the remaining ¼ of the marinade in a small bowl—this will be your dipping sauce after baking.
- Add vegetables: Slice the red bell pepper and red onion into thin strips. Scatter them over and around the chicken in the baking dish. Drizzle the vegetables with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to help them roast and caramelize.
- Bake the dish: Place the baking dish on the middle rack of your preheated oven. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (use a meat thermometer to check). The chicken should be golden brown, and the vegetables should be tender.
- Rest and serve: Once baked, let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This helps keep the juices inside. You can drizzle the extra reserved marinade over the chicken when serving or use it as a dipping sauce.
- Portion for meal prep: Once the dish has cooled slightly, divide the chicken and vegetables into your meal prep containers. Pair with your favorite side dishes like rice, roasted veggies, or tortillas.
Serving Tips for Cilantro Chicken
- Cilantro Chicken + Mexican Rice + Black Beans: A fiesta in a container! Add some pico de gallo or shredded cheese if you’re feeling fancy.
- Cilantro Chicken + Quinoa Salad with Corn, Cherry Tomatoes & Queso Fresco: Make a big batch of this refreshing salad and spoon it right next to your chicken.
- Cilantro Chicken + Brown Rice + Pineapple Salsa: That sweet + savory + spicy combo? Chef’s kiss. Add lime wedges for extra zing.
- Cilantro Chicken Wraps: Shred the chicken and roll it into a whole wheat wrap with shredded cabbage, sliced avocado, and a drizzle of the reserved marinade.
- Cilantro Chicken +Tortillas + Elote-Style Corn (Mexican Street Corn): Juicy, zesty chicken thighs paired with warm tortillas and creamy, cheesy, chili-lime street corn. It’s the perfect combo of fresh, savory, and a little smoky
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, you can! Chicken breasts are leaner but tend to dry out faster. If you use them, reduce the bake time slightly (check for doneness around 25–30 minutes). Brining or marinating them for a bit longer can help keep them juicy.
Is the marinade safe to use as a dipping sauce?
Only the reserved portion of the marinade (the ¼ you set aside before touching raw chicken) should be used as a dipping sauce. Never use leftover marinade that has touched raw chicken unless you cook it first.
Can I add other vegetables?
Definitely! Zucchini, cherry tomatoes, or sliced carrots roast beautifully with this dish. Just be mindful of cooking times—some veggies may cook faster or slower than bell pepper and onion.
Baked Cilantro Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
Chicken and Vegetables
Cilantro Marinade
Instructions
Video
Notes
Nutrition