This cilantro lime chicken stir fry is one of those back pocket dinners (like my beef stir fry) that saves the day when you want something fast, flavorful, and wildly satisfying. It comes together in under 30 minutes and hits all the fresh, savory notes. If you need more quick and easy 30 minute dinners, I hear you and I have you covered!
Recipe name at a Glance
- 🕒 Total Time: 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook)
- 👪 Servings: 4
- 🍝 Cuisine Type: Asian-Inspired / Weeknight Dinner
- 🧂 Flavor Profile: Savory and fresh with garlic, ginger, bright lime juice, and plenty of cilantro, finished with a lightly glossy, umami-rich sauce
- 📖 Dietary Info: Dairy-free; contains poultry and soy; gluten-free if using gluten-free soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 📦 Storage Notes: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days; reheats well and is great for meal prep
- ⭐ Why You’ll Love It: A fast, flexible, flavor-packed dinner that comes together in one pan and works just as well for lunch leftovers as it does fresh off the stove.
Summarize and save this content on...
Why I Love This Recipe
Recently I was over at one of my best friends houses while they were making dinner and something along the lines of this Cilantro-Lime Chicken Stir Fry was on the menu. The house smelled divine and we were running out the door otherwise I would have invited myself to stay for dinner. I took a quick glance at the ingredients on the counter and then proceeded to head home and recreate it the next night.
This Cilantro Lime Chicken Stir Fry is the kind of recipe I will make on repeat because it checks every box. It is quick, filling, and layered with flavor thanks to garlic, ginger, lime, and fresh cilantro (shout out to Chicken Larb and Chicken Larb Tots - same family!). Using ground chicken or turkey keeps things approachable and weeknight friendly, while the sauce brings just enough richness to make it feel exciting. It is perfect over rice, great for meal prep, and easy to tweak based on what you have in the fridge.
Jump to:
Ingredients
Substituions
🍗 Protein Options
- Ground chicken (dark meat) — juiciest and most flavorful.
- Ground turkey — equally easy and a little leaner.
- Ground pork — richer and extra savory.
🥢 Sauce & Seasoning Swaps
- Stir fry sauce — quick and balanced.
- Hoisin sauce — slightly sweeter and richer.
- Soy sauce — classic savory base.
- Tamari — gluten free with deeper umami.
- Coconut aminos — gluten free and a touch sweeter.
- Add a splash of fish sauce — optional, but adds serious depth if you like bold flavor.
🌿 Herb & Citrus Options
- Cilantro — fresh and classic here.
- Basil — great if cilantro is not your thing.
- Lime juice — brightens everything at the end.
🌶 Flavor Boosters
- Fresh garlic and ginger — ideal for melting into the sauce.
- Red pepper flakes or sambal oelek — for heat.
- Chili crisp — adds texture and spice.
- A touch of honey or brown sugar — balances things if your sauce leans salty.
🍚 Serving Swaps
- Sushi rice or jasmine rice — classic and cozy.
- Brown rice — heartier and great for meal prep.
- Cauliflower rice — lighter option.
- Rice noodles — fun stir fry vibe.
- Lettuce cups — fresh, crunchy, and weeknight friendly.
How to Make
Step 1: Cook rice according to the package directions and set aside.
Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the ground chicken or turkey and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until mostly cooked through. Add the scallions and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
Step 3: Stir in the garlic and ginger and cook for about 60 seconds until fragrant.
Step 4: Add the stir fry sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and lime juice. Stir well and let simmer for about 10 minutes until the sauce thickens and everything comes together.
Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in the cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed and serve Cilantro Lime Chicken Stir Fry.
🌿🍋✨ Tips & Tricks for the Perfect Cilantro Lime Chicken Stir Fry
Fast, flavorful, and endlessly repeatable
Use it as a base recipe. Toss in extra veggies, swap the protein, or play with herbs — Cilantro Lime Chicken Stir Fry is one of those back-pocket recipes that’s easy to customize.
Use dark meat if you can. Ground chicken or turkey made with dark meat stays juicier and more flavorful, especially in a quick Cilantro Lime Chicken Stir Fry like this.
Grate the garlic and ginger finely. The finer they are, the more they melt into the sauce and flavor every bite without big chunks.
Let the meat really brown. Don’t rush this step. A little caramelization adds depth and keeps the dish from tasting flat.
Simmer the sauce briefly. Give it a minute or two to thicken so it coats the meat instead of pooling at the bottom of the pan.
Taste before adding salt. Soy sauce and coconut aminos vary in saltiness, so always taste at the end and adjust as needed.
Finish with lime and cilantro off the heat. This keeps everything bright and fresh instead of cooked down and muted.
Adjust the heat to your mood. A pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of chili crisp takes it up a notch if you want a little kick.
Serve it over whatever you love. Jasmine rice, brown rice, cauliflower rice — this stir fry plays well with all of them.
Great for meal prep. It reheats beautifully and stays flavorful for a few days, making it perfect for make-ahead lunches.
FAQ's
Can I make Cilantro-Lime Chicken Stir Fry ahead of time?
Yes, it keeps well in the fridge for up to four days and reheats beautifully.
Is Cilantro-Lime Chicken Stir Fry spicy?
No, but you can add chili crisp, sriracha, or crushed red pepper if you want heat.
Can I use another protein in Cilantro-Lime Chicken Stir Fry?
Absolutely, ground turkey, beef or pork works great here too.
Similar Recipes
Cilantro Lime Chicken Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs ground chicken or ground turkey dark meat preferred
- 6 scallions thinly sliced, reserve some for garnish
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1-2 inches fresh ginger grated
- 2 tablespoon stir fry sauce or hoisin sauce
- 1-2 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1-2 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 lime juiced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped
- kosher salt to taste
To Serve
- cooked sushi rice tossed with a few teaspoons of rice wine vinegar
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the ground chicken or turkey and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until mostly cooked through.
- Add the scallions and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and ginger and cook for about 60 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the stir fry sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and lime juice. Stir well and let simmer for about 10 minutes until the sauce thickens and everything comes together.
- Remove from heat and stir in the cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve over sushi rice and finish with extra scallions and cilantro. Dig in.
Notes
- Dark meat ground chicken or turkey stays juicier and more flavorful
- Grate the ginger and garlic finely so they melt into the sauce
- Let the sauce simmer so it thickens and coats the meat properly
- Taste at the end before adding salt since sauces vary in saltiness
- Finish with lime and cilantro off the heat to keep everything bright
I made this tonight and my husband immediately said that it has to go in our favorites rotation! I made 2x the sauce, added a little chili crisp and served it over cauliflower rice. Yum! The only problem was trying not to eat 4 servings between the two of us
This looks delish and I can’t wait to try (just watched the live now).
I love dishes like this but always want at least one veg. Would you serve a vegetable on the side or include one right into the meat/stir fry? Would beans, snap peas or broccoli work best/be preferred? Or do you have any other suggestions?
Thank you!
I could do snap peas or broccoli over hot hot heat with a drizzle of lime and rice vinegar
I love the delicious and quick meals! This one sounds so tasty!
Thanks so much! Looks yum. Do you have a go-to stir-fry sauce?
I love the Woon one!