Key West Grilled Chicken (Printable)

Zesty Key West-style grilled chicken marinated in citrus, garlic, ginger, and cilantro.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)

→ Tropical Citrus Marinade

02 - 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
03 - 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 2 tablespoons honey
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
09 - 2 teaspoons soy sauce (use gluten-free if needed)
10 - 1 teaspoon salt
11 - 1 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
14 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

→ To Serve (Optional)

15 - Fresh lime wedges
16 - Chopped cilantro

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the orange juice, lime juice, lemon juice, olive oil, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, soy sauce, salt, black pepper, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and chopped cilantro until well combined.
02 - Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are thoroughly coated. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight for maximum flavor penetration.
03 - Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
04 - Take the chicken out of the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Discard the used marinade.
05 - Grill the chicken breasts for 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until fully cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when checked with a meat thermometer.
06 - Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Slice or serve whole, and garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The triple citrus marinade tenderizes the chicken while flooding it with flavor, so every bite is juicy down to the last morsel.
  • It requires almost zero hands on effort and the grill does all the rewarding work for you.
  • Gluten free and dairy free without sacrificing a single drop of taste or satisfaction.
02 -
  • Do not skip the resting step, as cutting immediately lets all the juices run out and leaves you with dry chicken despite the marinade.
  • If you marinate longer than six hours the citrus can start to break down the meat texture and make it mushy rather than tender.
03 -
  • Reserve a few tablespoons of marinade before adding the raw chicken so you can brush it on during grilling for extra caramelization and layered flavor.
  • Let the chicken come to room temperature for fifteen minutes before grilling so it cooks evenly from edge to center.

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