Honey Lime Chicken

Fresh and flavorful marinated Honey -Lime Chicken is marinated in a mix of fresh lime and orange, olive oil, honey and spices– infusing it with incredible flavor.

While grilled Honey-Lime Chicken can stand on its own, we love it in bowl form with cilantro-lime quinoa, veggies, and the best creamy cilantro sauce.

Honey-Lime Chicken

Honey-Lime Chicken is one of my family’s favorites! Not only is it tasty, but it’s also made with healthy ingredients and combines all the components of a great chicken marinade.

A perfect marinade for chicken guarantees the chicken will be flavorful AND juicy. So marinades should always combine an acid (such as vinegar or lime juice), fat, and sweetness. Salt, herbs, and spices also contribute to the end flavor of marinated chicken.

This Honey-Lime Chicken marinade comes with all of that: we’ve got lime juice for the acid, olive oil as the fat (healthy fat!), and honey for (natural) sweetness. We’ve got salt, cumin and garlic for further flavor enhancers. 

Basting the chicken as it grills contributes even more to making flavorful chicken. We’ll set aside some of the marinade before adding the raw chicken; the reserved marinade will get brushed (basted) over the chicken as it cooks, further improving the flavor and juiciness.

Cooking Tips

• Make sure to slice the chicken pieces in half, or pound them into an even thickness before marinating. This allows the chicken to soak up more flavor from the marinade (which improves the taste), and the even thickness will allow it to grill evenly.
• If grilling, generously oil your grill grates. I do this by rolling up a few paper towels, drenching them in oil (use any high-heat oil such as vegetable or canola), and using tongs, rub the drenched paper towels along the grill grates. Doing this contributes to a beautiful sear and ensures the chicken doesn’t stick to the grates.
• If grilling, fully preheat your grill. I know it’s hard to wait, but a hot grill sears the surface of the meat– which will give you juicier chicken. It also allows the chicken to get a great char.
• Once it’s finished, let the cooked chicken rest, tented with foil, for 5-10 minutes before cutting in!

 Honey-Lime Chicken Pairings

As I mentioned, this chicken IS delicious on its own, but with a few great sides, you’ll be obsessed with this meal. Our favorite is a cilantro-lime quinoa base. If you aren’t a fan of quinoa, replace it with white or brown rice; couscous is another great option. If you aren’t familiar with cooking quinoa, be sure to check out the guide I wrote: how to cook quinoa.

With the flavored quinoa as the base and chicken on top, feel free to add your favorite veggies. We love a ripe, creamy avocado and crisp cherry tomatoes as sides for the chicken. Black beans are also a nice flavor and protein booster.

To tie everything together, I love adding a creamy cilantro-lime sauce. This sauce is mega popular on my site (it debuted with these famous shrimp tacos) and it’s the perfect complement to the flavors of Honey-Lime Chicken. Serve your loaded bowls with some fresh lime and be prepared to add this meal to your dinner rotation! 

Alternate cooking methods

QUICK TIP

Cooking times will vary, depending on several factors, so I always recommend using a thermometer to monitor your chicken as it cooks. Aim to hit 160 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. (Undercooked = unsafe; Overcooked = dry chicken) If the chicken is at 160 degrees, carryover heat will bring it to a safe temperature of 165 degrees.

• Baked Honey-Lime Chicken: Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.  Place marinated chicken (discard remaining marinade) on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Bake for approximately 18 minutes, flipping and basting the chicken with reserved marinade halfway through. Remove from the oven, and loosely cover the sheet pan with foil.  Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes.
• Skillet Honey-Lime Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat in a nonstick skillet.  Add marinated chicken (discard remaining marinade) and cook for 4-6 minutes per side, until the chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear. As you sauté the chicken, brush it generously with the reserved marinade. Transfer the chicken to a clean plate and loosely cover with foil. Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes.
• Honey-Lime Chicken Skewers: Cut the chicken into large chunks (2 inches) and skewer on (soaked and drained) wooden skewers. Add your favorite veggies; our favorites are sweet bell peppers, onions, zucchini, and pineapple. Cook over medium-high heat. Grill chicken kabobs until cooked through (165 degrees F), about 6 to 8 minutes, turning once. Timing will depend on the size of the chicken and the actual grill temperature.
• Honey-Lime Chicken in the slow cooker: I recommend this recipe from Carlsbad Cravings.
• Honey-Lime Chicken Tacos: Chop the grilled chicken and add to a tortilla with thinly sliced avocados, lettuce, and the cilantro sauce in the recipe.

More delicious chicken dinners

• Jamaican Jerk Tacos so easy
• Mango Chicken marinated chicken with an incredible mango salsa
• Peruvian Chicken marinated chicken with a green herb sauce
• Chimichurri Chicken best chimichurri sauce!
• Pesto Chicken Tortellini one pot

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Honey-Lime Chicken

5 from 10 votes

- Review this recipe

Fresh and flavorful marinated Honey-Lime Chicken is marinated in a mix of fresh lime, fresh orange, olive oil, honey and spices, infusing it with incredible flavor.

SAVE TO RECIPE BOX

Print Recipe

Honey-Lime Chicken

5 from 10 votes

- Review this recipe

SAVE TO RECIPE BOX

Print Recipe

Fresh and flavorful marinated Honey-Lime Chicken is marinated in a mix of fresh lime, fresh orange, olive oil, honey and spices, infusing it with incredible flavor.

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword honey lime chicken

Prep Time 25 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Marinating Time 2 hours

Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes

Servings 4 servings

Calories 888kcal

Author Chelsea Lords

Ingredients

Chicken

• ▢ 3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (~1 to 2 large juicy oranges)
• ▢ 1/2 cup olive oil
• ▢ 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (~2 juicy limes)
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon lime zest
• ▢ 2 and 1/2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• ▢ 2 teaspoons honey
• ▢ 1 teaspoon cumin
• ▢ 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• ▢ 1 and 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
• ▢ Salt and pepper

Cilantro-Lime Quinoa

• ▢ 2 cups chicken broth
• ▢ 1 cup quinoa
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• ▢ 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lime juice
• ▢ 1/4 cup cilantro finely chopped

OPTIONAL Cilantro Lime Sauce

• ▢ 1 large (or 2 small) lime(s) juiced and zested (3 tablespoons juice + 1/2 teaspoon zest)
• ▢ 1-2 cloves garlic minced, add to desired preference
• ▢ 1/2 of 1 large bunch cilantro
• ▢ 1/2 jalapeno (or 1 full jalapeno for a spicier dressing)
• ▢ 1/2 cup regular full-fat mayonnaise
• ▢ 1/2 cup sour cream I use fat-free

Other (Optional) Additions

• ▢ Halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced or chopped avocado, additional lime wedges, additional chopped cilantro, heated (drained and rinsed) canned black beans, queso cotija cheese blend

US - Metric

USMetric

Instructions

• CHICKEN MARINADE: Whisk together orange juice, olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, soy sauce, honey, cumin, and minced garlic in a bowl. Remove 1/3 cup of the marinade (put in an airtight containerand refrigerate for later). 
• CHICKEN MARINADE CONT: Halve chicken breasts horizontally. Using a meat mallet or the bottom of a frying pan, pound breasts to even thickness (you don't want the meat super flat, just even in thickness). Season the chicken breasts to taste (both sides) with salt and pepper. I use about 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, but add to preference. Place the prepared chicken in a large plastic bag and pour the remaining marinade mix over. Remove excess air, seal the bag and knead to coat all the chicken in the marinade. Refrigerate for 30 minutes up to 6 hours. If you're making the optional sauce (Step 5), make it now so it has a chance to sit and flavors can intensify.
• COOK CHICKEN:  Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400 degrees F.) Generously oil the grill (I drench a rolled-up paper towel in vegetable oil and, holding it with tongs, rub it over the grill grates. Don't skip this step.) (For a grill pan: add 1 tablespoon oil to the pan) Place the marinated chicken on the grill. Discard any leftover marinade in the bag. Grill for 10-12 minutes, flipping once in between halfway, or until chicken juices run clear and internal temperature is at 160 to 165 degrees F. (at 160 degrees, carryover heat will take the chicken to 165 degrees F). Tent chicken with foil and let stand for 5-10 minutes before slicing against the grain.
• QUINOA: Thoroughly rinse the quinoa. Add the chicken broth, quinoa, and minced garlic to a small pot. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat but keep covered and allow to sit for about 5 minutes. Lightly fluff with a fork. Stir in the lime juice and cilantro. Season to taste with salt and pepper (I usually add 1-2 to 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper).
• SAUCE: Zest and juice 1 lime to get 3 tablespoons juice and 1/2 teaspoon zest. Add the juice and zest to a blender or mini food processor along with the garlic cloves, cilantro, 1/2 of the seeded jalapeno (add more of the jalapeno for a spicier sauce, add slowly if you're worried about the heat), and mayo. Add salt and pepper to taste and blend or pulse until smooth. Add in the sour cream and pulse once more to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings to personal preference. The intensity of flavor will increase as it sits.
• ASSEMBLE: Divide quinoa evenly among plates/bowl. Top with grilled chicken on top. Add any desired toppings to the side and drizzle sauce over everything. Serve with lime wedges and if desired, add a small sprinkle of queso cotija cheese blend.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 888kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 61g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 136mg | Sodium: 1167mg | Potassium: 1141mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 428IU | Vitamin C: 42mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 4mg

We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed.

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