Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken Wings Recipe (+ Marinade) | Wicked Spatula (2024)

This easy grilled cilantro lime chicken wings recipe makes a healthy, delicious appetizer or dinner. The cilantro lime chicken marinade has tons of flavor.

by Maya Last Updated on April 1, 2020 25 Comments

Grilled cilantro lime chicken wings are so good, you’ll want to make a batch soon! There’s a little secret to this cilantro lime chicken recipe… and it gives the wings tons of flavor and keeps them really juicy! Okay, I’ll tell you because I really want you to go make these! It’s the cilantro lime chicken marinade made with cilantro, lime juice, and jalapeno. These wings are exploding with flavor!

Can we just talk about wings for a second? Do any of you eat wings on a normal non-game-day/sports bar night? It seems that when people think of wings, they just think of them as an appetizer type food.

But this cilantro lime chicken recipe will change all that thinking. Meet your new favorite snack. Or dinner. Or appetizer. Or game day. Or lunch. (Why not?!)

Serve these cilantro lime chicken wings with a squeeze of lime and jalapeño ranch dip, and you’ll have yourself a killer appetizer or entree!

How To Make Chicken Wings

You are two steps away from eating juicy, flavorful lime chicken wings. You won’t believe how simple it is to make this garlic lime chicken wings recipe!

• Blend together the marinade ingredients: cilantro, lime juice, jalapeno, garlic, and coconut oil.
• Toss marinade with chicken wings and marinate for at least 2 hours. Don’t skimp on this step, the marinade adds so much flavor.
• Grill wings until they are crispy. I prefer to grill my wings, they get a little crunchy and a little smoky.

That’s it! Can you believe how easy it is to make this grilled chicken wings recipe?

How Do You Know When Chicken Wings Are Done?

There are a few ways to tell when these grilled cilantro lime chicken wings are finished cooking. Here are the things you need to be looking for:

• Check the grilled cilantro lime chicken wings to see if the juices run clear when they are punctured with a fork. You shouldn’t see any blood in the juice.
• The chicken wings will be firm to the touch.
• Check the internal temperature, and it should read 165 degrees F. You can also stop cooking them when they reach 160 degrees F and let this cilantro lime chicken rest, and it will continue to heat on its own.

What’s The Difference Between Chicken Wings And Buffalo Wings?

The difference between chicken wings and buffalo wings is how they are prepared.

Chicken wings can be grilled, baked, or fried and they have many different ingredients and flavors. My recipe has a cilantro lime chicken marinade, but all chicken wing recipes are different.

Buffalo wings are either fried or baked with that tangy buffalo sauce you are accustomed to. Both are delicious!

I love the variety of flavors and how versatile chicken wings are to make. This really is the best chicken wings recipe I have tried to date. Don’t take my word for it, make these yummy cilantro lime chicken wings to decide for yourself.

Can I Use Chicken Breast Instead Of Wings?

Yes, you can use chicken breast instead of wings when you make this grilled cilantro lime chicken. Whenever you go out to eat and order boneless wings, you are essentially getting wings made from cut up chicken breasts.

So, don’t worry if you don’t have wings on hand or you found a great deal on chicken breasts then go ahead and use them instead. The chicken breast doesn’t tend to be as juicy as wings, but this cilantro lime chicken recipe is good no matter what you use.

To grill the chicken breasts, cut them into 2-3 inch pieces. Place the pieces in the cilantro lime chicken marinade and marinate them just like you would the wings. Grill the pieces and enjoy!

Can You Make This Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe Ahead?

Yes, you can make this cilantro lime chicken recipe ahead. Make the grilled wings recipe as directed and allow them to completely cool, then you can store any leftover grilled chicken wings in the fridge.

To heat the grilled cilantro lime chicken up, place the wings on a baking dish and warm in the oven. Cook at 325 degrees for 10-15 minutes until they are heated all the way through.

Another option is to microwave them on a microwave-safe plate covered with a paper towel. Just heat them for 30 seconds at a time or so because they will heat up fairly quickly.

You can always mix up the marinade a day or two before you need the wings, so that the day-of, just marinate and grill.

Can You Freeze Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken?

Yes, you can freeze grilled cilantro lime chicken wings. The easiest way to freeze is to lay the cooked wings on a baking dish and place it in the freezer for 1-2 hours until they are relatively solid. Then, place them in a freezer bag or airtight storage container. This will keep them from sticking together, and you can grab out what you need.

Place them in the fridge overnight if you can, then warm them in the oven or microwave. They will heat up a lot more evenly, and it will take less time if they aren’t frozen. If you don’t have time to set them out the night before, you can still warm them up.

More Paleo Appetizer Recipes

• Easy Baked Healthy Blooming Onion
• Spicy Honey BBQ Chicken Wings
• Easy Paleo Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip

See my other paleo appetizer ideas here! And if you are not dairy-free, here are more chicken wings to try.