Description
This Flavorful Grilled Honey Lime Chicken recipe features tender, juicy chicken breasts marinated in a tangy and sweet honey lime mixture, cooked to perfection on the grill, and served with a fresh, vibrant corn salsa. Perfect for a quick and healthy dinner that bursts with citrus and smoky flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs / 680g)
- 1/4 cup honey
- Juice and zest of 2 limes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Fresh Corn Salsa
- 3 ears fresh corn, kernels removed (about 2 cups / 300g)
- 1 small red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, juice and zest of limes, minced garlic, ground cumin, smoked paprika, olive oil, salt, and freshly ground black pepper for about 5 minutes until well combined.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken breasts to the marinade, turning them to ensure they are fully coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes, ideally 30 to 45 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, about 400°F (200°C), so it’s ready to sear the chicken perfectly.
- Prepare the Fresh Corn Salsa: Remove the kernels from the corn cobs and place them in a bowl. Add the diced red bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, minced jalapeño if using, chopped cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Gently toss to combine and set aside to let the flavors meld for about 10 minutes.
- Grill the Chicken: Place the marinated chicken breasts on the hot grill. Cook for approximately 5 to 6 minutes on each side, until the chicken is nicely charred on the outside and cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Rest the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the chicken moist and tender.
- Serve: Slice the chicken against the grain and serve alongside the fresh corn salsa. Garnish with lime wedges or cilantro sprigs if desired for an extra burst of freshness.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for longer if time allows – up to 2 hours – for even more pronounced flavor.
- If you don’t have a grill, you can use a grill pan or a stovetop skillet for cooking.
- Adjust the jalapeño amount to control the spice level of the salsa or omit if you prefer no heat.
- For a lower-calorie option, reduce the olive oil amount or use a non-stick pan for cooking.
- Fresh lime zest and juice give this dish brightness, so use fresh limes for best results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: grilled chicken, honey lime chicken, fresh corn salsa, summer recipe, healthy chicken recipe, grilled chicken breast, easy dinner, gluten free dinner
