Chili Lime Grilled Chicken (Printable)
Juicy chicken grilled with zesty lime and spicy chili flavors
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
→ Marinade
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - Zest and juice of 2 limes
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1–2 fresh red chilies, finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon chili flakes)
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup
10 - 1 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
# How To Make:
01 - In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime zest, lime juice, chopped cilantro, minced garlic, finely chopped chilies, ground cumin, smoked paprika, honey, salt, and black pepper until fully combined.
02 - Add chicken breasts to the bowl with the marinade, turning each piece to ensure even coating. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for more intense flavor penetration.
03 - Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, approximately 375°F to 400°F.
04 - Remove chicken from the marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Place on the preheated grill and cook for 6 to 8 minutes per side, until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear when pierced.
05 - Transfer grilled chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Slice against the grain and serve with additional lime wedges and fresh cilantro as garnish if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The marinade does all the heavy lifting while you go about your day
- That smoky, zesty combo makes everyone think you spent hours planning dinner
02 -
- Do not skip resting the meat or you will lose all those precious juices onto your cutting board
- The honey is not just for flavor, it helps create those gorgeous caramelized grill marks
03 -
- Pound the chicken to even thickness so everything finishes cooking at the same time
- Pat the chicken dry before grilling to get better char marks