Honey Lime Chicken Thighs

Honey lime chicken thighs are the perfect easy summer grilling recipe. This dish features chicken thighs marinated in a simple mixture of lime juice, honey, soy sauce, and garlic and grilled to juicy perfection before being basted with a sweet and sour honey-lime finishing sauce. Serve with rice or couscous, stuff into a wrap or tacos, or serve kebob-style with seasonal veggies for the ultimate flavorful and filling summer dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Requires only a handful of simple ingredients you’ll mostly have on hand already.
• Juicy, tender chicken with instructions on how to grill or pan-sear.
• Super versatile dish that works well in grain bowls, tacos, and wraps.
• Easy and speedy and comes together in 15 minutes, after marinating.

Ingredients

• Chicken – we love to use chicken thighs in this recipe for extra juicy results, but chicken breast works well too.
• Lime juice and zest – freshly squeezed lime juice and grated lime zest give this marinade a simple, lightly sweet and subtly citrusy flavor.
• Honey – for a hint of sweetness to balance the saltiness of the soy sauce and tang of the lime juice.
• Soy sauce – for a touch of saltiness and unique umami.
• Olive oil – a touch of plant-based fat balances out the flavors of the marinade.
• Cilantro – lightly herby touch.
• Garlic – gives a touch of sharpness.
• Salt and pepper – to finish off the seasoning.

Tips for Making Honey Lime Chicken Thighs

1. Marinate for a minimum of 2 hours to maximize the flavor and to give the marinade time to tenderize the chicken. If you have time, marinating overnight really enhances the flavor!
2. Make sure the pan/grill is hot before searing the chicken. This will keep the juices in the chicken as it browns, keeping the chicken tender.
3. Baste the chicken with the honey lime sauce just before serving for the ultimate sweet, citrus flavor.
4. Rest chicken after removing it from the pan/grill to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165F and to allow the juices to redistribute for extra succulent, tender chicken.

How to Make Honey Lime Chicken Thighs

Trim the chicken thighs and season both sides with salt and pepper. Place chicken in a single layer in a shallow dish or in a Ziploc baggie.

Note: if you are using large chicken breasts instead of thighs, you may need to butterfly the breasts or flatten breasts to an even thickness with a meat tenderizer to ensure even cooking.

In a bowl, whisk together the marinade ingredients. Pour the marinade over the chicken and cover/seal. Marinate the chicken at least 2 hours (up to overnight) in the refrigerator.

Just before cooking, mix together the honey lime sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.

Grilling: preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Place the chicken thighs on the grill and discard the excess marinade. Grill for 5 to 6 minutes on one side, then flip and grill another 3-4 minutes on the other side. Baste the chicken on both sides with the honey lime sauce then remove from the grill. Tent loosely with foil for 5 minutes to rest. The internal temperature of the chicken should read 165F once it is done cooking.

Pan-Searing: heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken in a single layer. Discard the extra marinade. Sear the chicken on one side for 5-6 minutes. Flip and sear on the other side for 3-4 minutes. Flip again. Drizzle the honey lime sauce over the chicken and flip to coat both sides. Remove from heat and serve. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165F once it is done cooking. 

How to Store

Store leftover honey lime chicken thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, add the chicken to a frying pan with a drizzle of olive oil and a splash of chicken broth. Cover and warm over medium heat until the chicken is warmed throughout.

Recipe Variations

• Citrus – swap out lime juice with lemon juice or orange juice for a different flavor profile.
• Sweetener – replace honey with agave syrup, maple syrup, or date syrup.
• Seasonings – try different herbs, add smokiness with paprika, or add spice with cayenne or jalapenos.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Try our other juicy chicken recipes

• Honey mustard chicken
• Cilantro lime chicken
• Romesco chicken thighs
• Gluten-free chicken noodle soup
• Pesto bruschetta chicken
• Bourbon peach chicken

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