About Creamy & Smoky Cilantro Lime Chicken
After more than a two weak break from chicken recipes, I’m back with another uber simple one-pan dinner that’ll be perfect for busy weeknights:
Tender chicken breasts cooked in a creamy sauce flavored with smoked paprika, lime, and cilantro.
I hope that sounds as good to you as it did to me, though I’ll admit I’m still not over my obsession with smoked paprika.
And regulars of this blog already know that chicken is my to-go meat of choice whenever I need a fast, easy dinner solution because, well, it’s chicken.
Chicken goes with everything and most of the time it’s easy to substitute it for turkey or other vegetarian-friendly meat alternatives.
I’m pretty sure this is the reason why chicken recipes are by far the most popular on my blog, so I’m always looking for new and creative ways to prepare it.
Gotta give the people what they want, right?
It also doesn’t hurt that I went to Costco this week, so I’ve got a freezer chock-full of chicken just ready to be transformed into culinary goodness.
Might as well brace yourselves now because there’s going to be plenty more chicken recipes where this came from.
But trust me, that’s not a bad thing.
In addition to all the tasty chicken, you’ll probably also start seeing a lot more one-pan meals from me, because right now that’s the only type of dish that fits in my schedule.
For those that might not know, I’ve begun working crazy long hours in order to achieve the coveted “career blogger” dream, so I need recipes that are fast, require minimal cleanup, and yet still taste great (so I have the fuel to keep going).
So far this journey has been as awesome as it is stressful, but having an excuse to make dinners like this is worth it’s weight in gold.
Or chicken, if you were to tally up what I spent all my money on recently.
Seriously, I wasn’t kidding about the state of my freezer.
Be prepared – like winter, chicken is coming.
More great chicken recipes
Recipe Details
Creamy & Smoky Cilantro Lime Chicken
Ingredients
Instructions
In a large oven-safe skillet, warm olive oil over medium high heat. Add chicken breasts to skillet and brown the outsides for 7 minutes, turning once half way through. Note: chicken does not need to be completely cooked through at this stage. Set browned chicken on a plate and cover tightly with foil.
Remove skillet from heat and add onion, cilantro, chicken broth, smoked paprika, and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Using a spatula, stir ingredients and gently scrape any chicken or brown bits off the bottom of the skillet.
- Return skillet to heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for 10 minutes, uncovered. Sauce should reduce by 1/2.
While sauce simmers, preheat oven to 375 F.
- Once sauce has cooked, add in heavy cream and chopped butter. Continue to heat and stir until butter has melted.
- Add chicken breasts back to skillet and flip a few times to lightly coat with sauce. Arrange chicken in the skillet so that no pieces are touching.
- Place skillet in the oven and cook for 5-10 minutes or until chicken has cooked through.
- Serve immeidately with cilantro and lime wedges as garnish.
Chrisy, we eat a lot of chicken also. I love the versatility of it – I also love the price! This recipe sounds really good and I think it is one that my family would enjoy. I love that it is easy to make and one of my favorite ingredients is in it – Cilantro! I have been watching your blog for a week or so. I read about your success from TBN. You are doing a great job and I know you will succeed with all of your goals. I will be following your journey (and probably “borrowing” a few of your ideas!
agree so much! luv cilantro + chick and quick easy
Thank you Cynthia! And thank you for stopping by – let me know if you need help with anything!
This seems super simple and easy. I think your one skillet meals are going to be very much appreciated. Lots of us feel too exhausted at the end of the day to make a proper dinner so an easy recipe like this is helpful.
I’m glad it was helpful Erica! And thanks! 😀
For some weird reason, everything lime has been sounding good to me lately and this recipe is no exception. The addition of smoked paprika is brilliant, and it looks so comforting and rich.
Thanks Alisa! I wonder if limes are in season? Our tree has been fruited all summer, but I’m only just now getting around to using them. Wish I had started sooner!
I’m such a fan of one-skillet meals too! They make life so much easier. This looks really yummy – I love the addition of lime to cut through the richness!
Thanks Faith!
Chris this looks SO good! I’m pinning. Going to sub the cream with full-fat coconut milk (I can’t do dairy). I’m sure it will be just as amazing. Seriously your photos are insane! YUM
Thank you Chrissa! I’d love to hear how the coconut milk sub turns out.
Wow flavour bomb! Beautiful pictures as always!
Thank you so very much Florian! 😀
PINNING THIS! mmm sweet & spicy..and sounds like leftovers would be good for tacos.
Thank you Roni!
This sounds so simple and delicious! I love the combination of cilantro and lime so I’m sure this would be amazing!
Thanks Miranda!
Must try this, sounds yummy!
Thanks Babi!
One pan makes it easy to make and clean up! This is like an indulgent date with a protein that you thought might be boring and turns out to blow your mind. I think I want to marry it!
Well that’s a glowing endorsement 😀 If you try it I hope it lives up to the expectation!
I am a huge smoked paprika fan also–and I love the idea of it with lime! Yum!
Thanks Laura!
This is a perfect recipe for my family, chicken and lime! Thank you for sharing! Looking forward to trying it!
Thanks Ashleigh, I hope the family loves it!
I’m SOOO all about simple, one pot meals right now! This is such a wonderfully tasty one at that!
Thanks Gwen!
This is exactly the type of dinner I love. You’ve got great flavor depth with the ingredients, one pan and chicken, everyone loves chicken.
Thanks Michelle! Chicken is definitely a fan favorite around here.