Chili Lime Chicken (Printable)
Zesty grilled chicken with fresh lime, chilies, and spices. Ready in under an hour.
# 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 Steps:
01 - In a large bowl, combine olive oil, lime zest, lime juice, chopped cilantro, minced garlic, finely chopped chilies, ground cumin, smoked paprika, honey, salt, and black pepper. Whisk thoroughly until well incorporated.
02 - Place chicken breasts in the bowl with the marinade, turning pieces to ensure even coating. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes minimum, up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor penetration.
03 - Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high temperature, approximately 375-400°F.
04 - Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Grill for 6-8 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear when pierced.
05 - Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with additional lime wedges and fresh cilantro if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The marinade comes together in minutes but makes you look like you planned something special
- Leftovers (if they exist) taste even better tucked into tacos or over salad greens the next day
02 -
- Patting the chicken dry before adding it to the marinade helps the flavors stick better
- Marinating longer than 2 hours can break down the texture too much, so stick to the sweet spot
03 -
- Squeeze fresh lime juice over the chicken right before serving for an extra burst of brightness
- Leftover marinade can be brushed on during the last minute of grilling if you boil it first