Honey Lime Grilled Chicken (Printable View)
Juicy grilled chicken marinated in honey, lime, and spices for a bright, zesty main course ready in 35 minutes.
# Ingredient List:
→ Meats
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
→ Marinade
02 - 3 tablespoons honey
03 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
04 - 1 tablespoon lime zest
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
09 - 1 teaspoon salt
10 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Garnish
11 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
12 - Lime wedges, for serving
# How to Prepare:
01 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, lime juice, lime zest, olive oil, garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
02 - Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring every piece is thoroughly coated. Seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
03 - Preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, approximately 375°F to 400°F.
04 - Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Place the chicken on the grill and cook for 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F when checked with a meat thermometer.
05 - Transfer the grilled chicken to a plate and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and lime wedges, then serve immediately.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The honey forms a gorgeous caramelized crust while keeping the meat incredibly moist inside, something that took me several attempts to fully appreciate.
- You likely have every single ingredient sitting in your pantry and spice rack right now, which makes this the perfect last minute dinner rescue.
02 -
- Leaving the chicken in the marinade for much longer than 4 hours will make the texture mushy because the lime juice starts breaking down the proteins too aggressively.
- Pressing down on the chicken with your spatula while it grills squeezes out all the moisture you just worked to keep inside, so resist the urge to press and flip.
03 -
- If your honey has crystallized, warm it briefly in the microwave before mixing so it blends smoothly into the marinade instead of clumping.
- Double the marinade recipe and reserve half before adding raw chicken to use as a quick glaze brushed on during the last minute of grilling for extra shine and flavor.