Spicy Honey Lime Chicken (Printable)
Tender chicken breasts infused with a vibrant honey and lime marinade, grilled for bold flavors.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1.3 lbs)
→ Marinade
02 - 3 tablespoons honey
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (approximately 1 lime)
04 - 1 tablespoon lime zest
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce (use gluten-free if necessary)
08 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
→ Garnish
13 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
14 - Lime wedges
# How To Make:
01 - Whisk together honey, lime juice, lime zest, olive oil, garlic, soy sauce, chili powder, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl until thoroughly combined.
02 - Place chicken breasts in a large resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour marinade over chicken, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated. Seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
03 - Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Discard remaining marinade.
04 - Grill chicken breasts for 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
05 - Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing to retain juices.
06 - Garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges before serving, if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The marinade comes together in minutes but makes you look like you planned something elaborate
- That honey lime combination hits every flavor button sweet tangy and just enough heat to keep things interesting
02 -
- Dont marinate longer than 4 hours or the lime juice will start breaking down the texture too much
- Letting the chicken rest after grilling is what keeps it juicy dont skip this step
03 -
- Pound thicker parts of the chicken breasts so they cook evenly without drying out
- Make double the marinade and reserve half before adding the chicken for basting while grilling