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A white bowl filled with golden honey lime chicken marinade made from honey, lime juice, soy sauce, and olive oil, sitting on a rustic wooden surface. Surrounding the bowl are fresh limes, a garlic bulb, a small bottle of olive oil, and a whisk, showing the simple ingredients for the honey lime chicken recipe.

honey lime chicken

This honey lime chicken recipe is a backyard legend — tender, juicy chicken marinated in a mix of honey, lime, garlic, and soy sauce for a perfectly balanced sweet-tangy glaze. Quick to prep, easy to cook on the grill, skillet, or oven, and bursting with sticky caramelized flavor. It’s the kind of meal that tastes like restaurant food but costs next to nothing and takes minimal effort.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Dinner
Cuisine: American, Grill, Weeknight Mea
Calories: 310
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ lb Chicken breasts or thighs -Boneless skinless preferred
  • ¼ cup Fresh lime juice - About 2–3 limes
  • 3 tablespoon Honey -Adjust for sweetness
  • 2 tablespoon Soy sauce - Adds saltiness and umami
  • 2 tablespoon Olive oil -Helps prevent sticking
  • 3 cloves Garlic - Minced
  • ½ teaspoon Salt -To taste
  • ¼ teaspoon Black pepper --Freshly ground
Optional Flavor Boosters
  • ½ teaspoon Chili powder -For mild spice
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh cilantro -Chopped for garnish
  • 1 teaspoon Lime zest -Adds extra tang
  • ¼ teaspoon Red pepper flakes -Optional heat
  • ½ teaspoon Ground cumin - -For smoky depth

Equipment

  • 1 Large zip-top bag or shallow dish (For marinating chicken)
  • 1 Grill, oven, or skillet (Any cooking method works)
  • 1 Meat thermometer (To check internal temperature (165°F))
  • 1 Tongs (For flipping chicken)
  • 1 Whisk or fork (To mix the marinade ingredients )

Method
 

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together lime juice, honey, soy sauce, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until honey dissolves. Taste and adjust for balance of sweet and tangy
  2. Place chicken in a zip-top bag or shallow dish. Pour marinade over chicken, ensuring every piece is coated. Seal the bag and refrigerate for 2–4 hours. Flip halfway if possible.
    A plate of honey lime chicken served over fluffy rice, topped with caramelized lime slices and fresh chopped herbs. The chicken is coated in a glossy honey-lime glaze with bits of chili and cilantro scattered over it, capturing the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors.
  3. Remove chicken from fridge 15 minutes before cooking to let it come to room temperature. Pat off excess marinade for better browning.
  4. Heat your grill, skillet, or oven to medium-high. Cook chicken for 6–7 minutes per side or until it reaches 165°F inside. Brush with extra clean marinade during the last few minutes for a sticky glaze.
    Juicy honey lime chicken breasts sizzling in a hot skillet, with grill marks and a sticky golden-brown glaze caramelizing on the surface. Steam rises from the pan, highlighting the rich texture and glossy coating from the honey-lime marinade.
  5. Let cooked chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Squeeze extra lime juice on top and garnish with fresh cilantro if desired. Serve with rice or vegetables.

Nutrition

Serving: 200gCalories: 310kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 32gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 520mgPotassium: 470mgSugar: 12gVitamin A: 150IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be considered an approximation. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients used and portion sizes

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