Description
A quick and easy honey lime chicken recipe featuring a sweet tangy glaze that perfectly coats tender chicken thighs or breasts. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights and impresses with its bright, comforting flavors.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1/4 cup honey (raw or organic recommended)
- Juice of 2 fresh limes (about 1/4 cup)
- Zest of 1 lime
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- A handful fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and ground cumin. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together honey, fresh lime juice, lime zest, minced garlic, soy sauce, olive oil, and chili flakes if using. Taste and adjust sweetness or tanginess as desired.
- Heat a large non-stick skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Add a little olive oil to coat the bottom. The pan should be hot enough to sizzle but not smoking.
- Add chicken to the pan skin-side down if using thighs with skin, or just one side for breasts. Cook without moving until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Flip carefully using tongs.
- Pour the honey lime glaze over the chicken. Reduce heat to medium-low. Spoon the glaze repeatedly over the chicken as it simmers, allowing it to thicken and coat the meat, about 5 minutes.
- Check doneness with a meat thermometer; internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Alternatively, cut into the thickest part to ensure juices run clear.
- Remove chicken from pan and let rest for a few minutes to lock in juices. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and a lime wedge before serving.
Notes
Use fresh lime juice for best flavor. To prevent glaze from burning, reduce heat to medium-low after adding glaze and spoon frequently. Add a splash of water if glaze thickens too much before chicken is cooked. Cook chicken in batches if pan is overcrowded. Use a meat thermometer for best results. For a grilled version, marinate chicken in glaze for 30 minutes and grill 6-8 minutes per side.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe (1
- Calories: 280
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Protein: 25
Keywords: honey lime chicken, sweet tangy glaze, quick chicken recipe, easy dinner, weeknight meal, chicken thighs, chicken breasts, honey glaze, lime juice, healthy chicken