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cilantro lime yogurt grilled chicken

Cilantro Lime Yogurt Grilled Chicken

One of my favorite marinades for weeknight grilling, this vibrant green yogurt soak thoroughly pervades quick-cooking chicken breast cutlets. Start them a good 6 hours ahead for the biggest flavor payoff. Chicken cutlets grill in under 10 minutes.
Course Main Course
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4
Author Katie Morford

Ingredients

  • ½ cup (loosely packed) fresh cilantro leaves with tender stems attached
  • ½ cup plain yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1/2 small lime, plus (optional) lime wedges for serving
  • 1 clove garlic, coarsely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, patted dry and sliced into cutlets (see Note)
  • Olive oil spray (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a food processor, combine the cilantro, yogurt, oil, coriander, juice of the 1/2 lime, garlic, salt, and pepper and puree until smooth, stopping the machine a few times to scrape down the sides.

  2. Place the chicken in a gallon-size zip-top bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, squeeze out any excess air, and seal the bag. Refrig­erate flat for 6 hours (a bit longer is fine), flipping and massaging the bag a few times if you think of it. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 20 minutes before grilling.
  3. Preheat the grill for medium-high direct heat (400 to 450°F). Scrape the grates clean.
  4. Transfer the cutlets to a baking sheet, letting the marinade drip away. (Discard the marinade, but do not pat the cutlets dry.) Coat both sides of the cutlets with olive oil spray, if desired. Grill, turning once, until deeply marked and cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes total.
  5. Let the chicken rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Slice into strips and serve with lime wedges, if desired.

Recipe Notes

Note: To make the cutlets, press your palm on top of each, and carefully slide a knife parallel to the cutting board, dividing each breast into two thinner cutlets.