Honey Lime Grilled Chicken (Print Version)

Sweet honey and zesty lime marinated chicken, grilled to golden, juicy perfection with warm spices.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

→ Marinade

02 - 3 tablespoons honey
03 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
04 - 1 tablespoon lime zest
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
09 - 1 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

11 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
12 - Lime wedges, for serving

# Preparation Steps:

01 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, lime juice, lime zest, olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
02 - Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated. Seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
03 - Preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, approximately 375°F to 400°F.
04 - Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Place the chicken on the grill and cook for 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until fully cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
05 - Transfer the grilled chicken to a plate and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and lime wedges. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The honey caramelizes on the grill creating a sticky crust that tastes like candy kissed by smoke.
  • It turns boring weeknight chicken into something guests will beg you to make again.
  • You probably have every single ingredient in your kitchen right now.
02 -
  • If you rush the resting step the juices will spill across your cutting board and the chicken will taste dry no matter how perfect the marinade was.
  • Chicken thighs work beautifully here and are actually more forgiving if you tend to overcook.
03 -
  • Freeze extra marinade in small batches so you can throw this together on a weeknight with zero prep work.
  • The biggest secret is patience at the grill so resist the urge to flip early and let those grill marks develop fully.

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