Honey Lime Chicken is the perfect summer recipe. This delectable grilled Tex-Mex style chicken is soaked in a juicy marinade, leaving it tender and full of tangy citrus flavor.
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Why this Honey Lime Chicken Recipe is a Keeper
This chicken recipe marinated in a sweet honey and lime sauce is super easy to make for a great dinner your family will love. This recipe is absolutely delicious, and is versatile enough to enjoy in different ways. Here are a few reasons why we love this tender chicken marinated in a delicious sauce:
- Simple Ingredients: All of the ingredients for grilled chicken and rice can be found in your kitchen or local grocery store.
- Family Friendly: This delicious recipe makes the perfect family meal for grills and cookouts.
- Makes Great Leftovers: Leftover chicken is perfect for tacos, quesadillas, and grilled chicken skewers.
If you’re looking for more Tex-Mex inspired recipes you might like, try these: Cilantro Lime Rice, Chicken Burrito Bowls, and Shredded Chicken Quesadilla Melt.
What Does Lime Do to Chicken?
This recipe calls for lime juice in the marinade. Once you place the chicken in the marinade, the enzymes in lime help break down the chicken, tenderizing it. Additionally, when adding the lime, the acidity adds flavor and texture, without dramatically altering the quality of the meat.
Ingredient Notes for Grilled Honey – Lime Honey Chicken
- Chicken Breast: Thaw boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. Alternatively, you can also use bone-in chicken with the chicken skin still on. Cut the chicken into strips before marinating.
- Lime Juice: Use fresh juice from one whole lime to make the marinade. You can also garnish the chicken with lime slices.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions for Honey-Lime Grilled Chicken
- Boneless Chicken Thighs: You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts. Again, you can use bone-in chicken thighs as well.
- Cooking Methods: You can make this great recipe for marinated chicken on the grill, or you can bake the chicken in the oven, or fry it in the air fryer.
Special Equipment Needed for Spicy Honey Lime Chicken
- Grill: Make this honey-lime chicken with whatever grill method you’d prefer- charcoal, wood, etc.
- Meat Thermometer: Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking the chicken. Chicken cooks quickly, so this tool is highly recommended.
Pro Tip
The secret to succulent chicken breasts on the grill is gently pounding them to an even thickness.
How to Make Honey Lime Marinated Tender Chicken
These are the basic steps for making honey lime chicken. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions and nutritional information.
1. Make the Marinade
Combine soy sauce, honey, vegetable oil, lime juice, minced garlic, bell pepper, and cilantro in a small saucepan or bowl; stir until combined. Transfer the combined sauce ingredients from the small bowl to a gallon sized zipper bag.
2. Marinate the Boneless Chicken
Add chicken to zipper bag, seal and toss to coat all of the thighs or chicken breasts in the marinade. Allow to marinate for 30 minutes to 3 hours, then remove the chicken from the marinade. Discard the marinade afterwards.
3. Cook the Chicken
Preheat grill to medium high heat. Then, grill the boneless chicken thighs or breasts on each side, for a cook time of 6-8 minutes, or until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. After you grill the chicken, remove the chicken from heat, cover, and cool the chicken before serving for 10 minutes. Garnish the chicken pieces with lime wedges if desired and serve over rice. You can also enjoy this chicken served with a side of fresh or grilled vegetables, or make your favorite salad recipe to go with it.
Honey-Lime Chicken Recipe FAQs
Cooked grilled chicken breast can last up to four days in the refrigerator, well wrapped or in an airtight container.
Yes. Add the chicken to a grill pan to cook on the stovetop, or make baked chicken in the oven.
To make this recipe spicier, add some chili powder, red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper to the marinade. You can also swap out regular honey with Mike’s Hot Honey, or use sriracha sauce.
Expert Tips for Making Honey Lime Marinated Chicken
- Lime Zest: Fresh lime juice enhanced by lime zest truly brightens this chicken dish.
- Toppings: Top the chicken with Homemade Fresh Pico de Gallo or Homemade Salsa to enhance the flavor. You can also top the chicken with cheese, such as cheddar cheese, sour cream, or Greek yogurt.
- Taco Salad: Lettuce, tomatoes, onion, tortilla chips, tortilla strips, and a little ranch dressing make an amazing salad to pair with this chicken recipe.
- Hot Sauce: Enhance this recipe with a dash or two of your favorite hot sauce.
What to Serve with Lime Grilled Chicken
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Honey Lime Chicken
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Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons Soy Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Honey
- 1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil
- 1 Lime, juiced
- 1 teaspoon Minced Garlic
- 1 teaspoon Fresh Cilantro , finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons Red Bell Pepper, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon House Seasoning Blend
- 4 Boneless Chicken Breasts
Instructions
- Combine soy sauce, honey, vegetable oil, lime juice, garlic, bell pepper and cilantro in a small bowl; stir until combined.
- Transfer to a gallon sized zipper bag.
- Add chicken to zipper bag, seal and toss to coat all of the chicken in the marinade.
- Allow to marinate for 30 minutes to 3 hours.
- Preheat grill to medium high.
- Grill chicken on each side for 6-8 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.
- Remove from heat, cover and allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Christina’s Notes
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- Lime Zest: Fresh lime juice enhanced by lime zest truly brightens this chicken dish.
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- Toppings: Top the chicken with Homemade Fresh Pico de Gallo or Homemade Salsa to enhance the flavor. You can also top the chicken with cheese, such as cheddar cheese, sour cream, or Greek yogurt.
-
- Taco Salad: Lettuce, tomatoes, onion, tortilla chips, tortilla strips, and a little ranch dressing make an amazing salad to pair with this chicken recipe.
-
- Hot Sauce: Enhance this recipe with a dash or two of your favorite hot sauce.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
This is such a great family-friendly dinner. Will make it again and again.
The honey in the lime chicken gives it a great glaze effect. Yum!
This tasted so amazing! Thanks a lot for sharing this super easy to make recipe! Fam really loves it! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!
Looking for a recipe to grill today and this looks so yummy!! But…when do you add the House Seasoning Blend? Thanks!
Add it in step one when you make the marinade. Let me know how you like it 🙂