Honey Lime Chicken

By Ann Fulton

A few simple ingredients come together in a snap for flavorful chicken that grills to caramelized perfection. I like to cook more than I need the first night for deliciously quick dinners later in the week!
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A few simple ingredients come together in a snap for flavorful chicken that grills to caramelized perfection. I like to cook more than I need the first night for deliciously quick dinners later in the week!

 

 

While adding new content to my website last week, I happened notice that I had hit a rather sizable milestone. The number of published recipes on my blog stood at precisely 1,000.

I don’t tend to track these things too closely, so my first thought was, how is this number possible? Do I really have that many recipes? (The crazy thing is that I still have an untapped arsenal of much-loved recipes that somehow, I still haven’t shared!)

In many ways, I view my blog as an online recipe box, and it can be fun to page through the older entries that get pushed to the back. Looking at the splattered cards or reading the brief lead-ins often conjures up memories of a different time and place as well as the friends and family who were with us at the time.

Such is the case with the following chicken recipe. It was my go-to summer grilling recipe over several summers when my boys were young. The subtle sweetness of the honey is balanced by the tang of the lime and a very short list of additional ingredients.

For an easy meal, I’d serve the chicken with simple sides like grilled vegetables, corn on the cob, and sliced tomatoes. Leftovers would be repurposed into a variety of hearty dinner salads.

I’ve returned to the enduring recipe several times so far this summer, adding the occasional squeeze of hot sauce or pinch of cayenne pepper to appeal to my now older sons’ more adventurous palates.

As per usual, I always grill more than needed for one night’s sitting, and I will share a brand-new way to enjoy the leftovers in the very near future.

And finally, for a somewhat silly reason, I used this reintroduction as an excuse to change the name ever so slightly. I used to call this chicken Lime Honey Chicken, but doesn’t “honey lime” roll off the tongue a little easier? 😂

A few simple ingredients come together in a snap for flavorful chicken that grills to caramelized perfection. I like to cook more than I need the first night for deliciously quick dinners later in the week!

Easy marinades and a grill make quick work out of summer dinners.

Honey Lime Chicken
Taking a moment to pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness will ensure faster, more even cooking and a juicier finished product. Many grocery stores and markets will do this if you ask.
Ingredients
  • ½ (160g) cup honey
  • ⅓ (80ml) cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • ¼ cup (60ml) freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons (28ml) olive oil
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts*
  • Optional garnishes: lime slices; sliced scallions; chopped fresh basil, cilantro, or mint; toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
  1. Mix the honey, soy sauce, lime juice, and olive oil in a large zipper-top bag or bowl. Add the chicken and marinate for several hours or up to overnight.
  2. Remove the chicken from the marinade, discarding marinade (see tip, below), and grill over medium-high heat for about 4-6 minutes per side or until golden brown and just cooked through.
  3. Allow chicken to rest for five minutes before serving. Sprinkle with any of the optional garnishes, if desired.
Note

*There is sufficient marinade to just cover up to 3 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a bowl. If you exceed that limit and find the top pieces poke out, simply rotate the chicken in the bowl once or twice while marinating.

A few more things:
I’ve recently begun adding ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the marinade, which provides a hint of extra flavor and very little heat. If you like this idea, you could start with ⅛ teaspoon or add extra for more pronounced flavor. A squeeze or two of sriracha upon serving offers a lovely alternative for those who enjoy a hint of spiciness.
Tip from my husband: for added flavor when grilling, he uses tongs to dip the chicken back into the marinade before he flips to the second side.

 

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Whether this chicken takes the form of a hearty salad topper, a protein-rich addition to a rice or quinoa bowl, or the filling for a quick quesadilla, round two is always just as good!

For a hearty but healthy dinner salad, try topping Blackberry, Feta and Mint Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette, pictured above, with sliced Honey Lime Chicken. It’s also delicious served over Summer Salad with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing with Greek Yogurt!

 

 

 

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Comments

  1. SeafoamJade

    Hi! I don’t have a grill or an air fryer. Can I make this in the oven and how do I do that (what temperature and how long). TIA!

    Reply
    1. Ann Post author

      You could cook the chicken in a skillet on the stove, using the same heat for a similar time. You could also bake at 400℉ for 17-20 minutes, give or take a few depending on thickness.

      You could also try this easy technique, even including some of the marinade if you wanted to then shred it and mix in some of the flavorful marinade and juices…or use to drizzle: https://fountainavenuekitchen.com/parchment-packet-chicken/. Hope you enjoy!

      Reply
  2. sandy beach

    How do I cook honey/lime marinated bnls. chicken breasts/thighs in an air-fryer, for those of us who don’t have an outdoor grill. Thanks for your input.

    Reply
    1. Ann Post author

      Hi Sandy, I’d cook the drained chicken breasts in the air fryer at 400℉ for about 8 minutes and then flip and cook for 4-5 minutes more or until the internal temperature reads between 160 and 165℉. The time will vary somewhat depending on air fryer model and thickness of the chicken, but that’s a good estimate. A quick-read thermometer will ensure you get the temperature just right.

      Reply
  3. Sue Ann
    (5/5)

    Made this along with the Asiago asparagus recipe. Huge hit! Thank you. Easy meal with great outcome.

    Reply
    1. Ann Post author

      Fabulous, Sue Ann! This chicken is a versatile favorite in our house too…and delicious with the asparagus!

      Reply