Spicy Honey Lime Chicken (Printable)

Tender chicken breasts infused with a zesty honey and lime blend, grilled for a flavorful main.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 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

# 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 thoroughly 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. Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Discard the 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 and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The marinade comes together in literally three minutes with stuff you probably already have
  • That honey lime combo creates this gorgeous caramelized crust that makes people think you slaved all day
  • Leftovers (if there are any) taste even better cold in salads the next day
02 -
  • Do not skip the lime zest, its where most of the lime flavor lives and it makes such a difference
  • Pounding the chicken to even thickness prevents thinner parts from drying out while thicker parts finish cooking
  • The honey can burn over super high heat, so stick to medium-high and watch those gorgeous dark spots
03 -
  • Double the marinade and use half for brushing during the last minute of grilling for extra sticky goodness
  • Freeze marinated chicken in the bag for a desperate weeknight meal you will thank yourself for later

Go Back