Key West Grilled Chicken (Print version)

Citrus- and honey-marinated chicken grilled with garlic and cilantro for bright, tropical flavors.

# What goes in:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

→ Marinade

02 - 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
03 - 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
05 - 2 tablespoons honey
06 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 1 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
09 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
10 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
11 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

# Cooking steps:

01 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together the lime juice, lemon juice, olive oil, honey, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), and chopped cilantro until well combined.
02 - Place the chicken breasts in a zip-top bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Seal or cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
03 - Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
04 - Remove the chicken from the marinade, discarding any remaining liquid. Grill the breasts for 5 to 6 minutes per side, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear.
05 - Transfer the chicken off the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve garnished with additional fresh cilantro and lime wedges if desired.

# Tips from flavorandfeast:

01 -
  • The double citrus punch of lime and lemon makes the chicken incredibly juicy without needing any dairy or heavy marinades.
  • It comes together fast enough for a weeknight but feels special enough for friends coming over on a Friday.
  • You probably have almost everything sitting in your kitchen right now.
02 -
  • Do not marinate longer than 2 hours or the citrus will start breaking down the meat and you will end up with a mushy texture.
  • Always discard the used marinade and never reuse it as a sauce unless you bring it to a full rolling boil first.
03 -
  • Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before marinating so they cook uniformly and you never have a dried out end next to a raw center.
  • Let the chicken come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before grilling and you will get a much better sear on the outside.

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