This super easy Grilled Honey Lime Chicken is sweet, zesty, and crispy on the outside! All you need is 6 ingredients to make this recipe, and it’s just perfect for grilling all summer long.
I can’t get enough of grilled chicken during cookout season! Try my Grilled Huli Huli Chicken for a Hawaiian twist, and my Grilled Curry Mango Chicken is perfectly sweet and spicy!
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Grilled Honey Lime Chicken
It’s grilling season and I am so excited to fire up the grill. This Grilled Honey Lime Chicken is one of my favorite grilling recipes.
The chicken gets marinated for 30 minutes or overnight with a sweet and tart marinade. It comes out incredibly juicy and tender. I like using chicken thighs for this recipe. The skin stays crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
The marinade is equal parts lime juice and honey with fresh garlic and a splash of soy sauce. I reserve 1/4 cup of the marinade to brush on top before serving.
Ingredients for making Honey Lime Chicken on the Grill
- Bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs: I love using bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs in this recipe. The skin gets crispy on the outside and the bone helps it to stay juicy on the inside. This recipe can be made with boneless chicken thighs or breasts. Just shorten the cooking time.
- Lime Juice: The freshly squeezed lime juice gives the chicken a nice tang. It also helps to tenderize the meat. If you don’t have lime on hand, lemon would be fine in this recipe.
- Honey: Gives the chicken a bit of sweetness and provides a nice caramelized glaze for the chicken.
- Garlic: I always have to have garlic! I like to mince fresh garlic, but to save time you can buy pre-minced garlic. Feel free to add extra if you’re a fan!
- Low Sodium Soy Sauce: If you do not have low sodium soy sauce you can substitute regular soy sauce diluted with water so it’s not too salty. You can also substitute coconut aminos or tamari for a gluten-free version.
- Cilantro: Fresh chopped cilantro for serving gives the chicken a burst of color and flavor!
How to make Grilled Honey Lime Chicken
- Add freshly squeezed lime juice, honey, garlic, and low sodium soy sauce to a medium bowl. Pour the marinade into a large ziplock bag reserving 1/4 cup of the marinade for brushing on top before serving.
- Add in chicken and place in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 30 minutes.
- When you’re ready to cook heat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Cook for 5 minutes, flip and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes or until fully cooked.
- Brush the remaining marinade mixture on top of the chicken.
- Serve immediately with fresh cilantro if desired.
Tips for Success
- Check the internal temperature reaches 165°F before serving. Alternatively, slice a thick part of the Honey Lime Chicken open to check the color. If it’s still pink, cook it for a little longer.
- If you substitute chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs for the bone-in and skin-on version, allow it to rest for 5 minutes before cutting the meat. This keeps the juices locked in.
- You can marinate the chicken a day or two ahead of time, or even place everything in a ziplock bag and freeze a few batches at once for easy grilled dinners all summer long.
- Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Reheat the grilled Honey Lime Chicken in the oven or on the grill until heated through. The skin may turn soggy if you reheat it in a microwave.
What does lime do to chicken?
It makes the meat super tender and locks in the juices as it marinates and cooks. Lemon will do the same thing.
How long can you marinate chicken in lime juice?
I recommend marinating chicken in lime juice for at least 30 minutes, but preferably overnight. You can also add the ingredients to a ziplock bag and freeze them together.
How do you make lime glaze for chicken?
Simply mix equal parts lime juice and honey with a little garlic and soy sauce and marinate the chicken in this honey lime chicken marinade. When you grill the chicken, brush some of the extra lime glaze over it to caramelize the skin.
What to serve with Grilled Chicken
- Broccoli Bacon Salad
- Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges
- Grilled Vegetable Panzanella Salad
- Black Bean and Grilled Corn Salad
- Grilled BLT Wedge Salad
- Cucumber Avocado Salad
- Fruit Salad
- Arroz Verde (Green Rice)
Here are more chicken recipes to try!
- The Best Grilled Chicken
- Grilled Chicken Caprese
- Korean Grilled Chicken
- Grilled Asian Chicken
- Thai Grilled Chicken
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Grilled Honey Lime Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs, bone in and skin on
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- fresh cilantro for serving
Instructions
- *Note: Prep time does not include marinating time*
- Add all of the marinade ingredients to a medium bowl. Pour the marinade into a large ziplock bag reserving 1/4 cup of the marinade for brushing on top before serving.
- Add in chicken and place in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 30 minutes.
- When you're ready to cook heat your grill to medium high heat.
- Cook for 10 minutes, flip and cook for an additional 10 minutes or until fully cooked.
- Brush the remaining marinade mixture on top of the chicken.
- Serve immediately with fresh cilantro if desired.
Nutrition Information
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Steve C
Honey and lime is a combination I have never tried for chicken. Honey and lemon is great on salmon, so I’m optimistic here. Thanks for the idea…might be a fun way to change things up for Independence Day!