Grilled Spicy Honey Lime Chicken (Printable)
Tender grilled chicken with a zesty honey-lime marinade and spices for sweet and spicy flavor.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
→ Marinade
02 - 3 tablespoons honey
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 large lime)
04 - 1 tablespoon lime zest
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 2 teaspoons chili powder
07 - 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
09 - 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
10 - 0.5 teaspoon salt
11 - 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
→ Garnish
13 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
14 - Extra lime wedges
# How to Make It:
01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, lime juice, lime zest, olive oil, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes until thoroughly combined.
02 - Place chicken breasts in a large resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, up to 8 hours for enhanced flavor development.
03 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat (approximately 375-400°F). Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
04 - Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
05 - Transfer cooked chicken to a serving platter. Let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The marinade does double duty creating incredible depth of flavor and keeping the chicken ridiculously juicy
- Perfect balance of sweet heat that feels fancy but comes together in minutes
02 -
- The honey can burn quickly over high heat so watch closely and adjust grill temperature if needed
- Letting chicken rest after grilling is non negotiable for juicy results
03 -
- Pat chicken dry before adding to marinade for better adherence
- Bring chicken to room temperature 20 minutes before grilling for even cooking