Spicy Honey Lime Chicken (Printable View)

Grilled chicken breasts glazed in a spicy, honey-lime sauce delivering bright and bold flavors.

# What You 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 (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 Steps:

01 - Whisk together honey, lime juice, lime zest, olive oil, garlic, soy sauce, chili powder, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl until fully combined.
02 - Place chicken breasts in a large resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour marinade over chicken, ensuring all pieces are 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.
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.
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 under five minutes but makes you look like you put in serious effort
  • That perfect balance of sweet honey, bright lime, and gentle heat keeps everyone coming back for seconds
02 -
  • Discard any leftover marinade after removing the chicken, never reuse it
  • Pounding the chicken to even thickness prevents the thinner parts from drying out before thicker sections cook through
03 -
  • Pat the chicken dry before adding it to the marinade for better adhesion
  • Let the grill preheat for at least 10 minutes so those beautiful sear marks develop properly

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