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Spicy Honey-Lime Chicken

Spicy honey-lime chicken with an easy honey-lime chili marinade that turns into a caramelized glaze on the grill. Juicy grilled chicken with charred edges, finished with fresh cilantro and lime wedges.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
marinating 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Mexican-American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

chicken
  • 2 lb chicken breasts or thighs
marinade
  • 0.25 cup honey
  • 0.25 cup lime juice
  • 2 limes zest zest of 2 limes
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced 2 cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 0.5 tsp cumin
  • salt and pepper to taste
garnish
  • fresh cilantro
  • lime wedges

Equipment

  • 1 grill

Method
 

Make the honey-lime marinade
  1. Whisk honey, lime juice, lime zest, olive oil, garlic, chili powder, cayenne pepper, cumin, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Marinate the chicken
  1. Place the chicken in a large zip-top bag and pour the marinade over it, reserving 1/4 cup for basting.
  2. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
Grill and glaze
  1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates.
  2. Grill chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, basting with the reserved marinade, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  3. Rest the grilled chicken for 5 minutes.
Serve
  1. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

Notes

For the best caramelized honey-lime glaze and charred edges, keep the grill at steady medium-high and baste during the last few minutes on each side. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days; freeze cooked chicken for up to 2 months. If you want a lower-sugar option, use reduced-sugar honey (or a sugar-free honey substitute) while keeping the lime and spices the same.