Chili Lime Chicken (Printable view)

Juicy chicken with tangy lime and spicy chilies, grilled to smoky perfection.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

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

→ Marinade

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - Zest and juice of 2 limes (approximately 1/4 cup juice)
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1-2 fresh red chilies, finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon chili flakes)
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup
10 - 1 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

# Steps:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime zest, lime juice, chopped cilantro, minced garlic, finely chopped chilies, ground cumin, smoked paprika, honey, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
02 - Add chicken breasts to the bowl with the marinade. Turn pieces to coat evenly on all sides. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
03 - Prepare grill or grill pan by heating to medium-high temperature (approximately 375°F to 400°F). Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
04 - Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Place on preheated grill and cook for 6 to 8 minutes per side, until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear when pierced.
05 - Transfer grilled chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Slice against the grain and serve with optional lime wedges and fresh cilantro garnish.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The marinade comes together in minutes but tastes like you spent all day planning it
  • Leftovers make incredible tacos, salads, or sandwich filling for the next day
  • The combination of bright lime and smoky heat hits every craving at once
02 -
  • Marinating longer than 2 hours can make the texture weirdly mushy due to the lime breaking down the proteins
  • Lettuce the chicken come to room temperature for 20 minutes before grilling ensures even cooking
  • Clean your grill grates while hot right before cooking to prevent sticking
03 -
  • Score the chicken lightly in a crosshatch pattern to help the marinade penetrate deeper
  • Oil your grill grates with a paper towel dipped in oil just before adding the chicken

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