Description
This Grilled Honey Chili Lime Cilantro Chicken recipe features juicy chicken breasts marinated in a zesty blend of honey, lime juice, chili powder, and fresh cilantro. Grilled to perfection, it offers a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and mildly spicy flavors making it an ideal main dish for easy weeknight dinners or summer cookouts.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Marinade
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, making sure the grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the chicken: Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board. If they are thick, slice horizontally to ensure even thickness for uniform cooking.
- Oil the chicken: Rub both sides of each chicken breast with olive oil to create a light coating for grilling.
- Make the marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper until smooth and completely combined.
- Marinate the chicken: Pour the honey chili lime mixture over the chicken breasts, coating thoroughly. Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to an hour for enhanced flavor.
- Grill the chicken (side one): Place the marinated chicken on the hot grill grates. Close the lid and cook undisturbed for 6-8 minutes for a good sear.
- Grill the chicken (side two): Flip the chicken over using tongs and grill the other side for 5-7 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear.
- Chop cilantro: While the chicken cooks, finely chop the fresh cilantro into small pieces for garnish.
- Rest the chicken: Remove the grilled chicken from the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes, allowing the juices to redistribute.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the rested chicken with the fresh cilantro before serving.
- Serving suggestion: Serve hot alongside your favorite sides like rice, steamed vegetables, or a crisp salad for a delicious, balanced meal.
Notes
- For best results, marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 hour to deepen the flavors.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches safe internal temperature (165°F).
- Lightly oiling the grill grates helps prevent the chicken from sticking.
- Adjust chili powder quantity to make it more or less spicy based on your preference.
- Allowing the chicken to rest after grilling keeps it juicy and tender.
