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Flavorful Grilled Honey-Lime Chicken Thighs

grilled honey-lime chicken thighs - featured image

Juicy, tender chicken thighs marinated in a sweet and tangy honey-lime mixture, grilled to perfection with a fresh cilantro finish. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or summer BBQs.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 3 pounds)
  • 1/4 cup honey (85 g)
  • Juice and zest of 2 fresh limes (about 1/4 cup / 60 ml juice)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade by whisking together honey, lime juice and zest, olive oil, minced garlic, ground cumin, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes in a medium bowl.
  2. Pat dry the chicken thighs and place them in a shallow dish or resealable bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 2 hours, but no more than 6 hours.
  3. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Clean and oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
  4. Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Place thighs skin-side down over direct heat. Grill for 6–8 minutes until skin is crisp and charred. Flip and grill the other side for 5–7 minutes. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  5. If chicken chars too quickly, move to indirect heat to finish cooking.
  6. Transfer grilled chicken to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes to redistribute juices.
  7. Sprinkle generously with chopped fresh cilantro before serving.

Notes

Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes but no more than 4 hours to avoid mushy texture. Use bone-in, skin-on thighs for best flavor and juiciness. Clean and oil grill grates to prevent sticking. Let chicken rest after grilling for juicy results. If no grill available, bake at 425°F for 25-30 minutes and finish under broiler for crispiness.

Nutrition

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