Garlic Lime Skillet Chicken is a quick, flavorful dish made with simple ingredients like fresh garlic, lime, and a dash of spice. The combination of garlic, lime juice, and zest creates a tangy, savory sauce that perfectly complements the juicy chicken breasts. With a hint of heat from jalapeño and crushed red pepper, this dish is easy to customize based on your spice preference. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s a perfect weeknight meal when paired with rice or vegetables.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• ¼ cup diced onions

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• ½ jalapeño, grated (optional)

• 1 cup chicken broth

• Juice and zest of 1 lime

• ¼ cup chopped cilantro

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper

• ⅓ cup heavy cream

• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. Add chicken to the skillet and sear for about 5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

2. In the same skillet, add onions, garlic, and jalapeño (if using). Sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.

3. Add chicken broth, lime juice, lime zest, cilantro, paprika, and crushed red pepper. Stir well and bring the mixture to a simmer.

4. Return the chicken to the skillet and cook for 7-8 minutes, turning once, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

5. Stir in the heavy cream, season with salt and pepper, and simmer for another 1-2 minutes to thicken the sauce.

6. Serve the chicken with rice or veggies, and spoon the garlic lime sauce over the top.

Nutrients

• Calories: 246 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 5g

• Protein: 25g

• Fat: 14g

• Saturated Fat: 6g

• Cholesterol: 99mg

• Sodium: 360mg

• Potassium: 532mg

• Fiber: 1g

• Sugar: 1g

• Vitamin A: 730 IU

• Vitamin C: 14.1mg

• Calcium: 32mg

• Iron: 0.7mg

Why Garlic and Lime Make the Perfect Pairing

Garlic and lime are a classic combination in many cuisines because they work so well together to create a balance of savory and tangy flavors. Garlic adds depth and richness, while lime offers a refreshing burst of acidity that brightens the dish. The addition of lime zest further enhances the citrusy flavor, giving the sauce a more aromatic kick. The combination of these two ingredients infuses the chicken with flavor, making every bite burst with freshness.

The garlic lime sauce in this recipe not only complements the chicken but also serves as a flavorful glaze that coats the chicken, rice, or vegetables you serve it with. It’s simple yet powerful, offering a light and vibrant sauce that doesn’t overwhelm the chicken but enhances its natural flavors.

The Spice Factor: Jalapeño and Crushed Red Pepper

For those who enjoy a little heat in their meals, this dish includes jalapeño and crushed red pepper to add a subtle spice. The jalapeño, which is grated to release its heat, adds a fresh, vibrant kick to the sauce without being too overpowering. You can adjust the amount of jalapeño based on your spice tolerance, making this dish as mild or spicy as you prefer.

In addition to the jalapeño, the crushed red pepper adds an extra layer of heat and a touch of smokiness. The paprika in the recipe enhances the warmth of the red pepper, making the sauce more complex and flavorful. The heat from these ingredients balances beautifully with the tanginess of the lime and the richness of the chicken and heavy cream.

If you prefer a milder dish, you can skip the jalapeño and reduce the crushed red pepper to taste. Alternatively, if you like it spicier, you can increase the amount of both.

Cooking the Chicken: Juicy and Tender

The key to perfectly cooked chicken in this recipe is to sear the chicken breasts until they’re golden brown on the outside, while keeping them juicy and tender on the inside. Searing the chicken first ensures a flavorful crust that locks in the juices, making the chicken even more delicious.

Once the chicken is seared, it’s returned to the skillet to cook through in the garlic-lime sauce. This method ensures that the chicken absorbs all of the sauce’s flavors while remaining moist and tender. The chicken is cooked until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, ensuring it’s safe to eat and perfectly cooked every time.

The Garlic Lime Sauce: Creamy and Flavorful

What really makes this dish stand out is the rich and creamy garlic-lime sauce. After the chicken is seared and set aside, the sauce is made by simmering onions, garlic, and jalapeño (if using) in chicken broth. The lime juice and zest are added to give the sauce a refreshing tang, while the cilantro adds a fresh, herby flavor.

The smoked paprika and crushed red pepper bring warmth and a touch of smokiness, creating a depth of flavor that perfectly complements the lightness of the lime. Finally, the addition of heavy cream thickens the sauce and adds a rich, velvety texture. The sauce not only coats the chicken but also makes a perfect topping for rice or vegetables.

A Quick and Easy Meal

Garlic Lime Skillet Chicken is incredibly easy to make, with minimal prep time and a cooking time of only about 25 minutes. The dish is simple enough for a busy weeknight, yet flavorful enough to serve for special occasions or when you want something more exciting than a basic chicken dinner. The fact that everything cooks in one skillet makes cleanup a breeze, so you can focus on enjoying the meal rather than spending time cleaning up afterward.

Nutritional Benefits of Garlic Lime Skillet Chicken

This dish is not only delicious but also a healthy choice. With only 246 calories per serving, it’s a light meal that is perfect for those looking to maintain or lose weight while still enjoying a flavorful dinner. The chicken provides 25 grams of protein per serving, helping to build and repair muscles, while the heavy cream adds a richness that satisfies without being too heavy.

The dish is low in carbohydrates (only 5 grams per serving), making it suitable for those following low-carb or ketogenic diets. The fiber from the onions and cilantro, along with the potassium from the chicken, help support overall health. The garlic and lime both provide important vitamins, with garlic offering immune-boosting properties and lime providing vitamin C, which supports skin health and immune function.

The addition of healthy fats from olive oil and the cream helps to keep you feeling full longer and provides the body with essential nutrients. The spices used in this recipe, such as paprika and red pepper flakes, also have antioxidant properties that contribute to overall well-being.

Customizing the Dish

One of the great things about this dish is its versatility. You can adjust the spice level to suit your taste by using more or less jalapeño and crushed red pepper. If you prefer a creamier sauce, feel free to add a bit more heavy cream or even substitute it with coconut cream for a dairy-free version.

The chicken can also be substituted with other lean proteins such as turkey or even tofu for a vegetarian version. If you want to add more vegetables to the dish, you can toss in some bell peppers, spinach, or zucchini when cooking the onions and garlic, creating a more colorful and nutrient-dense meal.

Meal Prep and Leftovers

This dish is perfect for meal prep. You can cook a large batch and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually develop even more after sitting for a day, making leftovers even more flavorful. You can easily reheat the chicken in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a little extra chicken broth or lime juice to keep the sauce moist.

For those looking to store it longer, this dish can be frozen for up to 2 months. Simply store the chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container, and reheat when ready to serve.

Conclusion

Garlic Lime Skillet Chicken is a quick, delicious, and flavorful meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. With its tangy garlic-lime sauce, juicy chicken breasts, and customizable spice level, it’s sure to become a family favorite. The dish is healthy, satisfying, and packed with protein, making it ideal for anyone looking to enjoy a flavorful meal without compromising on nutrition. Ready in just 25 minutes and easy to clean up, this dish is the perfect weeknight solution for a tasty and fulfilling dinner.