Spicy Honey Lime Chicken (Printable)
Tender grilled chicken infused with a lively honey, lime, and chili marinade bursting with bold tastes.
# What You'll Need:
→ 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
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 It:
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 evenly coated. Seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
03 - Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Prepare the cooking surface by lightly oiling the grates to prevent sticking.
04 - Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Discard remaining marinade. Grill chicken breasts for 6–8 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear.
05 - Transfer grilled chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Slice against the grain and garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The marinade comes together in under five minutes but tastes like something from a restaurant
- Perfect for meal prep and actually tastes better the next day
02 -
- Don't marinate longer than 4 hours or the acid will start breaking down the texture too much
- Letting the chicken rest after grilling is the difference between juicy and dry
03 -
- Pound the chicken to even thickness so everything finishes cooking at the same time
- Oil your grill grates right before adding the chicken to prevent sticking