Description
Spicy honey lime chicken delivers a zesty dance of flavors that blends Mexican and Asian inspirations. Juicy chicken breasts marinated in a bold sauce showcase tangy lime, sweet honey, and fiery chili peppers for an unforgettable culinary experience you can easily create at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2.5 pounds (1.13 kilograms) boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 2-inch pieces and trimmed
Sauce and Seasoning:
- 6 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium is better)
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1.5 tablespoons Sriracha sauce
- 1.5 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated
- 1.25 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 0.5 teaspoon cornstarch (optional for thickening)
Aromatics and Cooking:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Garnish:
- Chopped cilantro or parsley
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- In a blender or food processor, combine all marinade components and puree until achieving a silky, uniform consistency. Carefully set aside half the mixture for later glazing purposes.
- Transfer chicken pieces into a hermetically sealed plastic bag or container, then pour the remaining marinade over the meat. Refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes or up to 12 hours, ensuring optimal flavor absorption. For extended marination, omit lime juice and increase zest quantity to prevent excessive acid breakdown.
- Prepare the glaze by whisking the reserved marinade with cornstarch, then heat in microwave for approximately 60 seconds until slightly thickened and glossy.
- Heat outdoor grill to medium-high temperature (375-400°F or 190-204°C). If utilizing wooden skewers, submerge them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning during cooking.
- Thread marinated chicken pieces onto prepared skewers, discarding the original used marinade to prevent cross-contamination. Grill chicken, rotating periodically and generously brushing with prepared glaze, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and exterior develops attractive caramelized markings.
- Remove chicken from grill and allow to rest for 5 minutes, enabling juices to redistribute. Plate with additional glaze drizzled on top, garnishing with fresh chopped cilantro or parsley and wedges of lime for enhanced presentation and brightness.
Notes
- Overnight marinating requires omitting lime juice to prevent acid-induced meat breakdown.
- Wooden skewers need pre-soaking to avoid burning during grilling.
- Cornstarch helps transform reserved marinade into a thick, clingy glaze.
- Resting meat after grilling allows juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness.
- Fresh herb garnishes like cilantro or parsley add bright, aromatic finishing touches.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 505 kcal
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 1350mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 61g
- Fiber: <1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 140mg