Key West Grilled Chicken (Printable version)
Juicy chicken infused with lime, honey, and herbs for a tropical Florida-inspired meal
# Ingredient list:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1.3 pounds)
→ Marinade
02 - 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
03 - 1/4 cup honey
04 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce (gluten-free if needed)
05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
06 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 1 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
09 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
10 - Zest of 1 lime
11 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, plus extra for garnish
# Directions:
01 - Whisk together lime juice, honey, soy sauce, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and lime zest until well combined. Stir in chopped cilantro.
02 - Place chicken breasts in a large ziplock bag or shallow dish. Pour marinade over chicken, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated. Seal or cover and marinate in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours for deeper flavor.
03 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
04 - Remove chicken from marinade and discard used marinade. Grill chicken for 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
05 - Transfer chicken to a plate, cover loosely with foil, and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with extra cilantro and serve with lime wedges if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The honey creates these gorgeous charred spots that taste like candy from a beachside shack
- Everything comes together in under an hour but tastes like you spent all day planning it
02 -
- Marinating beyond 4 hours breaks down the protein too much and gives you mushy texture
- Patting the chicken dry before grilling helps you get those restaurant quality char marks
03 -
- Pound the chicken to even thickness so everything finishes cooking at the same time
- Use a grill pan indoors when weather forces you inside, you still get great flavor