Best 2 Cilantro Lime Chicken And Zucchini Recipes

## Cilantro Lime Chicken and Zucchini: A Flavorful and Refreshing Summer Dish

Are you looking for a light, refreshing, and flavorful summer dish that's easy to prepare? Look no further than this cilantro lime chicken and zucchini recipe! This dish combines tender and juicy chicken, crisp and flavorful zucchini, and a tangy, herby cilantro lime sauce for an explosion of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Served over a bed of fluffy rice, this dish is a complete meal that is perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. And with its vibrant colors and aromatic ingredients, it's sure to impress your friends and family.

This recipe offers a variety of options to suit your dietary needs and preferences. For those who prefer a healthier version, the chicken can be grilled or baked instead of pan-fried, and you can reduce the amount of oil used. The recipe also includes a vegetarian option, where the chicken is replaced with tofu or tempeh. Additionally, you can adjust the spiciness of the dish by adding more or less chili powder.

## Recipes Included:

1. **Cilantro Lime Chicken:** This recipe provides detailed instructions on how to marinate and pan-fry chicken breasts or thighs, creating tender and flavorful meat that pairs perfectly with the zucchini.

2. **Zucchini:** Learn how to sauté zucchini slices until they achieve a tender-crisp texture, releasing their natural sweetness and complementing the chicken.

3. **Cilantro Lime Sauce:** This simple yet flavorful sauce combines fresh cilantro, lime juice, garlic, and spices to create a tangy and herbaceous dressing that elevates the dish.

4. **Serving Suggestions:** Discover different ways to serve the cilantro lime chicken and zucchini, including over a bed of rice, as a taco filling, or as a refreshing salad.

With its easy-to-follow instructions and customizable options, this cilantro lime chicken and zucchini recipe is a must-try for anyone looking for a delicious and versatile summer meal. So gather your ingredients, fire up the stove, and get ready to enjoy this flavorful and refreshing dish!

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CILANTRO-LIME CHICKEN AND ZUCCHINI

CILANTRO-LIME CHICKEN AND ZUCCHINI image

Categories Chicken

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

 4 bone-in, skin-on, chicken thighs
 1 large lime
 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
 1 Tbsp. ground coriander
 1 tsp. ground cumin
 2 tsp. sea salt
 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
 3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
 Zucchini-as many as you w

Steps:

Preheat oven to 375 In a small bowl, combine the coriander and cumin, sea salt, and pepper. Coat the chicken with the oil and season both sides with the spice mixture. Pan-fry the chicken on medium-high heat for 5 minutes on each side. Transfer to oven, and bake for 32 minutes. Small thighs may take only 30 minutes. Remove from the oven when done, and garnish with fresh-squeezed lime juice and chopped cilantro. Zucchini makes a great addition to this dish - I cut them in half lengthwise, season with olive oil and pepper, and put in the oven with the chicken when there are 16 minutes left. You will notice mine are a little brown on top...that is because once I removed them from the oven I returned them to the messy pan I had fried the chicken in and gave them a quick sizzle, just a couple of minutes in the hot pan will do! Drizzle the zucchini with the lime juice and cilantro. This dish could easily turn Italian by replacing the cilantro with parsley and the lime with lemon, and some of the spices with italian seasonings.

LIME CHICKEN WITH CILANTRO CREAM SAUCE AND ROASTED ZUCCHINI

Lime Chicken with Cilantro Cream Sauce and Roasted Zucchini image

Chicken over roasted zucchini with a creamy cilantro sauce is a delicious dinner idea. The lime really brings everything together. A light pasta toss is the perfect accompaniment.

Provided by Sandy Schoon

Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Chicken Chicken Breast Recipes Skillet

Time 2h15m

Yield 2

Number Of Ingredients 21

Ingredients

¼ cup lime juice
⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
⅛ teaspoon ground cumin
⅛ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 (8 ounce) package linguine
2 tablespoons olive oil
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
8 cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large zucchini, quartered lengthwise
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 tablespoons butter
½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
3 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup white wine
¼ cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons lime juice
½ cup heavy cream
1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced

Steps:

Whisk together 1/4 cup lime juice, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper in a large bowl; add the chicken breasts. Cover and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours, turning the chicken occasionally.
Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the linguine, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink. Transfer linguine to a large mixing bowl; add 2 tablespoons olive oil, the Parmesan cheese, and the quartered cherry tomatoes; toss until the pasta is evenly coated in oil.
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken breasts, turning once, until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 20 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
Meanwhile, arrange zucchini pieces on a baking sheet. Coat the zucchini with 1 tablespoon olive oil with a pastry brush. Place zucchini on middle rack in the oven, and bake, turning every 5 minutes, until nicely browned, 15 to 20 minutes.
Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the cilantro and garlic, cook and stir 1 minute. Pour in the wine, chicken broth, and 2 tablespoons lime juice, and return to a simmer. Transfer the mixture to a blender and blend until smooth. Return the mixture to the sauce pan and stir in the cream and green onions; bring to a boil and remove from heat.
Lay the zucchini pieces side by side on a serving platter and place the chicken breasts on the zucchini. Pour the cilantro cream sauce over the chicken. Serve with the pasta on the side.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1355.2 calories, Carbohydrate 111.5 g, Cholesterol 201.5 mg, Fat 81.9 g, Fiber 11.4 g, Protein 42.9 g, SaturatedFat 33.2 g, Sodium 1218.7 mg, Sugar 6.9 g

Tips:

Use fresh ingredients: Fresh cilantro and lime zest add a burst of flavor to this dish. If you can't find fresh cilantro, you can use dried cilantro, but it won't be as flavorful.
Marinate the chicken: Marinating the chicken in a mixture of olive oil, lime juice, garlic, and spices helps to tenderize it and infuse it with flavor.
Cook the chicken over medium heat: This will help to prevent the chicken from overcooking and becoming dry.
Don't overcrowd the pan: If you overcrowd the pan, the chicken will not cook evenly.
Add the zucchini and corn towards the end of cooking: This will help to prevent them from overcooking and becoming mushy.
Use a sharp knife to slice the zucchini: This will help to prevent the zucchini from tearing.
Season to taste: Add salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Conclusion:

This cilantro-lime chicken and zucchini recipe is a delicious and healthy meal that is perfect for a weeknight dinner. The chicken is tender and flavorful, and the zucchini and corn add a pop of color and sweetness. The lime-cilantro sauce is the perfect finishing touch, adding a bright and refreshing flavor to the dish. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy meal or a healthy and flavorful dish to impress your friends, this cilantro-lime chicken and zucchini recipe is sure to please.