Spicy Honey Lime Chicken (Printable version)
Juicy chicken breasts infused with honey, lime, and spices, grilled for a flavorful and vibrant main.
# Ingredient list:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.3 lbs)
→ Marinade
02 - 3 tablespoons honey
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 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 (optional)
13 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
14 - Lime wedges
# Directions:
01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, lime juice, lime zest, olive oil, garlic, soy sauce, chili powder, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
02 - Place chicken breasts in a large resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours for deeper flavor.
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 6–8 minutes per side, or until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
05 - Remove from grill, let rest for 5 minutes, then slice. Garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges before serving, if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The marinade comes together in minutes but tastes like youve been planning it all day
- That spicy-sweet-tangy combination makes everyone ask for seconds
- Works for everything from weeknight dinners to backyard cookouts
02 -
- Discard the used marinade, never reuse it for basting raw meat
- Pound thicker parts of the chicken to match thinner sections for even cooking
- Room temperature chicken grills more evenly than cold from the fridge
03 -
- Double the marinade and freeze half with chicken for future you
- Add a tablespoon of butter to the pan during the last minute of baking for extra richness