This cilantro lime rooster simmers in a creamy flavor-packed sauce and comes collectively in only one pan and in round 40 minutes from begin to end. This simple rooster dinner recipe is a favourite in my residence—and lots of readers’ houses too—all 12 months spherical!
I initially printed this recipe in 2015 and have since added new images and extra useful success ideas. And primarily based on reader suggestions, elevated the quantity of creamy sauce! 😉

Whereas I take pleasure in baking desserts probably the most, dinner is an on a regular basis journey. And in case you’re like me, you’re continuously trying to find fast and simple dinner recipes. Nicely, you’ve come to the precise place! That is my one-pan creamy cilantro lime rooster, a constant crowd favourite.
One reader, Marci, commented: “Thanks for this recipe. My household has been obsessed for months we now have it no less than as soon as per week and I like to recommend it to everybody. ★★★★★“
One other reader, Rose, commented: “Omg what a taste bomb!!! This was completely scrumptious!! … Want I made a double batch, however will probably be making repeatedly!! ★★★★★“
And one other reader, Allison, commented: “STAPLE DINNER in our home and a GREAT factor to serve to friends! Everybody LOVES this ★★★★★“
Right this moment I’m going to point out you that one skillet is all it takes to rework rooster into one thing you and your loved ones will love. The method is rather a lot like my skillet apple cider rooster and this creamy lemon thyme rooster. Pan-sear the rooster on the range, make the a flavorful cilantro lime pan sauce, then bake the rooster within the sauce to complete.

Right here’s Why You’ll Love This Cilantro Lime Hen
- Fast and simple 1-pan meal
- Further tender, juicy rooster
- Creamy, buttery, zesty sauce tastes wonderful on rice and greens, too!
- Undeniably eye-catching, so that you’ll wish to make it repeatedly
Seize These Substances
- Hen: I exploit boneless, skinless rooster breasts. Pound them all the way down to even thickness. You can use boneless, skinless rooster thighs as a substitute if desired.
- Salt & Pepper
- Olive Oil
- Hen Broth
- Recent Lime Juice
- Onion: Yellow, white, or crimson—chef’s alternative!
- Cilantro
- Purple Pepper Flakes: Provides a bit of warmth, however be happy to cut back or improve the quantity to your liking.
- Heavy Cream: Simply sufficient to make the sauce style creamy and wealthy. See beneath for a dairy-free various.
- Butter: Provides a lot scrumptious taste!

Begin the Hen, Then Make the Pan Sauce
The method is identical as my lemon thyme rooster and creamy garlic rooster and greens, so in case you’ve made both of these earlier than you know the way simple it’s!
Prepare dinner the rooster in a big oven-proof skillet till either side are browned—the rooster will prepare dinner once more within the oven so if the facilities aren’t cooked right through but, that’s fantastic. Take away the rooster briefly and set it apart.
Should you’re available in the market for a brand new skillet, I personal and love this one.

Now, utilizing the identical skillet, make the pan sauce. The juices left behind by the rooster are key for taste, so don’t clear the skillet earlier than making the sauce!
Simmer the pan sauce till it has decreased and thickened.
Add the rooster again to the skillet:


Bake within the oven till the rooster is cooked by way of. Garnish the saucy rooster with further cilantro (taste! taste!) and a squeeze of lime. Serve with rice and veggies and smother them with the sauce, too!


Sure! Use full-fat canned coconut cream as a substitute of heavy cream and coconut oil as a substitute of butter for a dairy-free model with a scrumptious coconut-y twist.
No drawback! After you prepare dinner the rooster and sauce on the range, you possibly can switch each to a baking dish.
Sure, you should use rooster thighs as a substitute in case you choose. No adjustments vital!
Sure! The recipe beneath displays an almost-doubled portion of the sauce. Earlier than 2025, it made solely about half as a lot, however now there’s loads to generously coat the rooster and spoon over any sides you’re serving.
What to Serve With Cilantro Lime Hen
We take pleasure in this rooster with a facet of rice and a inexperienced vegetable like roasted broccoli (and the cilantro lime sauce poured over every part, after all!), however listed here are just a few extra recommendations for tasty pairings:


Description
This cilantro lime rooster simmers in a creamy flavor-packed sauce and comes collectively in only one pan!
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- If the rooster breasts are uneven in thickness, pound them down in order that they’re all even. This manner all of the breasts will prepare dinner by way of concurrently. Sprinkle either side with salt and pepper.
- In a big ovenproof skillet, warmth the oil over medium-high warmth. Add the rooster and prepare dinner for six–7 minutes, turning as soon as. You need the rooster good and browned on the surface. (It doesn’t need to be cooked right through but.) Switch rooster to a plate and canopy with foil till step 5.
- Take away skillet from warmth and add the broth, lime juice, onion, cilantro, and crimson pepper flakes. Return to warmth. Prepare dinner and stir to scrape up the browned bits from the underside of the skillet. Deliver to a boil. Permit to boil, uncovered, for 10-12 minutes or till the liquid is decreased to 1/2 cup. Cut back warmth to medium-low, then add the cream and butter. Stir till butter has melted, then take away from warmth.
- Add the rooster again to the skillet, turning as soon as to coat either side within the sauce. Switch the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake uncovered till the rooster is totally cooked by way of, about 5–10 minutes (inside temperature must be no less than 165°F (74°C)).
- Serve rooster with sauce spooned on prime, and garnish with lime wedges and cilantro, if desired.
- Leftovers hold effectively within the fridge for just a few days. You may reheat on the range over medium warmth, within the microwave, or within the oven.
Notes
- Particular Instruments (affiliate hyperlinks): Meat Tenderizer | Massive Oven-Proof Skillet (I personal and love this one) | Tongs | Citrus Juicer | On the spot-Learn Thermometer
- Purple Pepper Flakes: Alter the quantity of crimson pepper flakes to your liking. This quantity made the rooster mildly spicy. The cream within the sauce mellows out the spice.
- Heavy Cream: You should utilize entire milk or half-and-half as a substitute, however for the thickest, richest sauce I extremely suggest heavy cream. If utilizing entire milk, ensure that it’s at room temperature to assist stop curdling.
- Dairy-Free: Use coconut cream as a substitute of heavy cream and coconut oil as a substitute of butter.
Vitamin
- Serving Dimension: 1 rooster breast + 1/4 of the sauce
- Energy: 396
- Sugar: 1.5 g
- Sodium: 254.4 mg
- Fats: 23.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 4.3 g
- Protein: 40.8 g
- Ldl cholesterol: 165.9 mg

