Key West Grilled Chicken (Print Version)
Tropical citrus-marinated grilled chicken with honey and fresh herbs for perfect summer dining.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1.3 pounds)
→ Marinade
02 - 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
03 - 1/4 cup honey
04 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce (use gluten-free if needed)
05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
06 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 1 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
09 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
10 - Zest of 1 lime
11 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (plus extra for garnish)
# How to Prepare:
01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the lime juice, honey, soy sauce, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and lime zest until thoroughly combined. Stir in the chopped cilantro.
02 - Place chicken breasts in a large ziplock bag or shallow dish. Pour marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated. Seal or cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor.
03 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
04 - Remove chicken from marinade and discard the used marinade. Grill chicken for 5–7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
05 - Transfer chicken to a plate, cover loosely with foil, and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with additional cilantro and serve with lime wedges if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The honey lime caramelization creates those gorgeous grill marks everyone tries to capture for Instagram
- It comes together faster than deciding what to order for takeout
02 -
- I once marinated this overnight and the texture turned weirdly mushy, stick to the recommended time window
- Pat the chicken dry before grilling if you want serious char marks, excess moisture creates steaming instead of searing
03 -
- Room temperature chicken grills more evenly than cold straight from the fridge
- Letting the cooked chicken rest is the difference between juicy and dry, do not rush this step