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Sticky Honey Lime Grilled Chicken

Sticky honey lime grilled chicken with a glossy honey-lime glaze and caramelized grill marks. Sweet citrus marinade doubles as a basting sauce for juicy chicken thighs or drumsticks.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Marinating 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 2 lb chicken (thighs or drumsticks)
Honey lime marinade & glaze
  • 0.333 cup honey
  • 0.25 cup lime juice
  • 1 lime zest of 2 limes zest the limes before juicing if you can
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 0.5 tsp chili powder
  • salt and pepper to taste season the marinade to your preference
To finish
  • 1 fresh cilantro for garnish
  • 1 lime wedges for serving

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet
  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Make the honey lime marinade
  1. Whisk together honey, lime juice, lime zest, olive oil, garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  2. Reserve 1/3 cup marinade for basting so you have extra glaze during grilling.
Marinate
  1. Marinate chicken for 1-4 hours to let the flavors soak in (cover and refrigerate).
Grill and glaze
  1. Preheat grill to medium heat so you can start cooking right away.
  2. Grill chicken for 7-8 minutes per side, basting frequently with the reserved marinade as the surface caramelizes.
  3. Continue grilling and basting until internal temperature reaches 165°F and the glaze is sticky and shiny.
Serve
  1. Garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges for bright, fresh contrast.

Notes

For the stickiest glaze, baste a few times during the last few minutes and keep the grill at medium so the sugars don’t scorch. Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container up to 3-4 days; freezing is not recommended for best glaze texture. If you want a lower-sugar option, use a reduced-sugar honey substitute or a small amount of maple syrup in the marinade.