Spicy Honey Lime Chicken (Printable Version)

Juicy grilled chicken with a spicy honey and lime marinade, perfect for a flavorful main course.

# 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 (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 fully 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. Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Discard the remaining marinade.
04 - Grill chicken breasts for 6 to 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 to retain juices.
06 - Garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges before serving, if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The marinade does double duty as a flavor booster and natural tenderizer
  • You probably have everything you need in your pantry right now
  • Grilling gives you those restaurant quality char marks without any fancy technique
02 -
  • Do not marinate longer than 4 hours or the acid will start breaking down the chicken texture too much
  • Pat the chicken dry before grilling for better sear marks
  • Letting it rest is not optional, it keeps all those juices inside where they belong
03 -
  • Zest your lime before juicing so you do not struggle to get it out
  • Make a double batch of the marinade and save half in the fridge for quick weeknight dinners

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