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    Home » Kitchen Laughter Recipes Blog » Poultry » Chicken

    Grilled Lime Chicken Recipe

    Published: Mar 28, 2022 · Modified: Mar 28, 2022 by Jason C · This post may contain affiliate links ·

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    Four Ingredient Grilled Lime Chicken is easy to make four with a fun marinade made from frozen limeade. It is a fast lime marinade for chicken and tastes so good when grilled! Like summer on a plate.

    grilled Lime Chicken Breast with sear marks on a bed of greens and fresh limes.
    Grilled Lime Chicken Breast
    Contents hide
    1 🐔 Ingredients
    2 📝 Ingredient Notes
    3 ⏲️ Equipment and Tools
    4 🔥 Instructions
    5 ❗ Recipe Tips and Tricks
    6 🧑‍🍳 Storage and Reheating
    7 Meal Prep
    8 Additions and Substitutions
    9 Serving Suggestions
    10 ❓ Recipe FAQ
    11 Grilled Lime Chicken Recipe

    🐔 Ingredients

    ingredient photo showing the chicken breast, brown sugar, ketchup and limeade.
    Simple Ingredients for a Quick Meal

    📝 Ingredient Notes

    Chicken Breasts – Chicken breasts are a slightly healthier chicken choice but they do have a tendency to dry out if you overcook them. Make sure to use a wireless meat thermometer and pull them off the heat as soon as they reach 165ºF. One good tip is to pound them down to make them a bit thinner. The thinner meat is more manageable when grilling.

    Limeade Concentrate – Find this in the freezer section of your local grocery store and stock up when you see them on sale so you can make this fantastic lime chicken marinade whenever you want. The rest of the ingredients will almost always be in your cabinets.

    Brown Sugar – We used light brown sugar, but if you have dark brown sugar that works for this recipe too, and will not noticeably change the flavor.

    Ketchup – Use your family’s favorite. If you use ketchup for marinades with some frequency, you could also buy a cheaper brand just for marinating meat. It doesn’t have to be fancy for this use.

    Salt and Pepper – Used for seasoning the chicken breasts and enhancing the flavor.

    ⏲️ Equipment and Tools

    GrillGrate | This handy grilling tool sits right on top of the grill and focuses the heat onto the fins that hold up the chicken. That leaves some gorgeous sear marks! The design also minimizes flare-ups as it slows down any dripping into the coals. It’s one of my favorite grilling tools.

    Wireless Meat Thermometer | Never overcook your meat again with one of these handy devices. Read our reviews of the best wireless meat thermometers, including the one Jason uses every time he grills.

    🔥 Instructions

    instruction photos showing adding the limeade, brown sugar, ketchup and marinating and grilling.
    Simple Limeade Marinade and Grilling

    Step One: Make a lime marinade for chicken. Thaw the limeade completely and pour it into a pint jar.

    Step Two: Add the brown sugar to the jar.

    Step Three: Add the ketchup to the jar and stir the ingredients. Alternatively, you can screw the lid on tight and give it a good shake. Reserve half of the lime chicken marinade in the jar to use for glazing the chicken when it finishes on the grill.

    Step Four: Pour the other half of the marinade into a plastic bag. Add the chicken to the marinade and seal the bag, place it inside a bowl in the refrigerator for 30 – 60 minutes. Swish the marinade around to make sure that the chicken is completely covered.

    Step Five: Preheat the grill to 350ºF first, and then grill each side for about six to seven minutes.

    Step Six: After cooking the second side for about five minutes start checking your wireless meat thermometer diligently to make sure you do not overcook your chicken breasts and dry them out.

    ❗ Recipe Tips and Tricks

    Using the Grill Grate: Spread a liberal coat of olive oil on the GrillGrate before you add the meat. The fins are a bit wider than the stock grilling surface and the meat can stick if you aren’t careful.

    Dress it up: Top the chicken with thin slices of lime to add a fun treat!

    Be ready with your side dishes: Grilled lime chicken is an extremely fast recipe that is perfect for those busy nights when you don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

    Don’t forget the glaze: Be sure you reserve half of the jar of the marinade to use for basting the chicken as you take it off the grill. This glazes the chicken to add delicious flavor.

    🧑‍🍳 Storage and Reheating

    Keep your leftover chicken in an airtight container in your refrigerator for two or three days. If you won’t use it all up before it goes bad, cut it up into one-inch pieces and freeze it in an airtight container for future use. It will keep in the freezer for about three months.

    To reheat your leftover chicken, you can microwave it in short bursts until you get it hot. Diced chicken can be reheated in a skillet instead.

    Meal Prep

    Using the chicken lime marinade for grilling, make up a big batch of chicken to use in future recipes! Diced grilled lime chicken can be used in quesadillas, tacos, tortilla soup, salads, or sandwiches.

    Additions and Substitutions

    Use Chicken Thighs Instead. Chicken thighs are chock full of flavor and stay juicy, but the darker meat just isn’t as good for you. If I do use the thighs for this lime juice chicken marinade, I usually grill the boneless, skinless cuts.

    Add Cilantro. Rinse and chop fresh cilantro and use it in the marinade. Then add chopped fresh cilantro to the chicken on your plate.

    Sweeten it up. Add two or three tablespoons of honey to the marinade and glaze for a grilled honey lime chicken version.

    Make it more grown-up. Add one tablespoon of tequila to the marinade after you put it in the bag for tequila lime chicken.

    Give it some heat. Add a spicy peach or pineapple salsa to your chicken on the plate.

    Turn it up a notch. Give it some real kick by adding chili pepper flakes to your marinade for chili lime chicken. You’ll want to add from ¼ teaspoon to one teaspoon of chili flakes depending on your level of tolerance. This is perfect for tacos!

    Add healthy fats. Top with avocado salsa or guacamole

    Ward off vampires. Add several cloves of minced garlic to your marinade for garlic lime chicken.

    Booze it up. Add half a can of your favorite beer to your marinade in the bag for beer lime chicken.

    Take it tropical. Add half a cup of coconut milk to your marinade and glaze for coconut lime chicken. Then garnish your chicken with chopped cilantro and toasted coconut flakes on the plate.

    gorgeous sear marks from the grill on the chicken breast on a bed of parsley.
    Flatten the Chicken Breasts to Cook Evenly

    Serving Suggestions

    Try serving this delicious grilled lime chicken over cilantro lime rice with freshly sliced garden tomatoes or a citrusy salad on the side and a margarita in your hand. You could also serve these Grilled Brussel Sprout Kabobs – They are easy to make and grill extremely fast. They will be ready about the same time as your chicken. Or you could try these Grilled Parsnips – The preparation for these couldn’t be any easier! A quick slice and a light coating of olive oil, and you’ll have a tasty side dish in just a few minutes!

    ❓ Recipe FAQ

    How long should I cook grilled lime chicken?

    6-7 minutes per side. Grilled chicken breasts need to reach an internal temperature of 165ºF so use your wireless meat thermometer and make sure you get to that point before removing the chicken from the grill.

    Can I make grilled lime chicken in the oven?

    Yes. You can always translate a grilling recipe to an oven if you run out of propane for a gas grill or need to use an oven for any reason. Bake the chicken at 350º F until it reaches 165ºF internal temperature. It may take up to 17 minutes depending on the oven and chicken thickness.

    Can I make grilled lime chicken in the air fryer?

    Yes. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 30 minutes prior to cooking to allow to come to room temperature. Preheat the AF to 375ºF and place the chicken into the air fryer. Cook for 8-12 minutes, or until the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165ºF, flipping at 6 minutes.

    Related Recipes

    • DizzyPig IPA Dry Rub Smoked Chicken Wings
    • Rosemary Thyme Chicken Recipe – 30 Minute Marinade
    • Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Kebabs
    • Grilled Chicken with Pico de Gallo {50 Minutes}

    Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with me through social media by following me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!

    grilled Lime Chicken Breast with sear marks on a bed of greens and fresh limes.

    Grilled Lime Chicken Recipe

    Super fast Limeade marinade and quick grill on high heat will leave you with a delicious recipe that you'll make time and again.
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    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes
    Servings: 8 people
    Calories: 294kcal
    Author: Jason

    Ingredients

    • 8 Chicken Breasts boneless, skinless
    • ½ tsp Salt
    • ½ tsp Pepper

    Lime Marinade

    • 6 oz Limeade Concentrate thawed
    • 3 tbsp Brown Sugar
    • 3 tbsp Ketchup

    Instructions

    Prepare the Marinade

    • Combine limeade, brown sugar and ketchup in a bowl and mix
    • Pour half of the limeade mixture into a Ziploc bag. Add the chicken breasts and marinade in fridge for one hour. Reserve the remaining mixture for brushing on at the end.

    Grill the Chicken

    • Preheat the grill for 375 degrees
    • Remove the chicken from the marinade and sprinkle with salt and pepper
    • Grill chicken breasts for 5-8 minutes for each side
    • Brush the chicken with the reserved limeade mixture during the last few minutes of grilling
    • Remove when the chicken reaches 165 degrees

    Notes

    Toppings: Top the chicken with thin slices of lime to add a fun treat!
    How Long to Cook Chicken: 6-7 minutes per side. Grilled chicken breasts need to reach an internal temperature of 165ºF so use your wireless meat thermometer and make sure you get to that point before removing the chicken from the grill.
    Internal Temperature: Grilled chicken breasts need to reach an internal temperature of 165ºF
    Oven Directions: You can always translate a grilling recipe to an oven if you run out of propane for a gas grill or need to use an oven for any reason. Bake the chicken at 350º F until it reaches 165ºF internal temperature. It may take up to 17 minutes depending on the oven and chicken thickness.
    Air Fryer Directions: Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 30 minutes prior to cooking to allow to come to room temperature. Preheat the AF to 375ºF and place the chicken into the air fryer. Cook for 8-12 minutes, or until the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165ºF, flipping at 6 minutes. 
    Storage: Keep your leftover chicken in an airtight container in your refrigerator for two or three days.
    Freezer Friendly: If you won’t use it all up before it goes bad, cut it up into one-inch pieces and freeze it in an airtight container for future use. It will keep in the freezer for about three months.
    Reheating Instructions: To reheat leftover chicken, you can microwave it in short bursts until you get it hot. Diced chicken can be reheated in a skillet instead.
    Substitutions: There are so many ways to mix up this recipe that the options are simply endless.
    Use Chicken Thighs Instead. Chicken thighs are chock full of flavor and stay juicy, but the darker meat just isn’t as good for you. If I do use the thighs for this lime juice chicken marinade, I usually grill the boneless, skinless cuts.
    Add Cilantro. Rinse and chop fresh cilantro and use it in the marinade. Then add chopped fresh cilantro to the chicken on your plate.
    Sweeten it up. Add two or three tablespoons of honey to the marinade and glaze for a grilled honey lime chicken version.
    Make it more grown-up. Add one tablespoon of tequila to the marinade after you put it in the bag for tequila lime chicken.
    Give it some heat. Add a spicy peach or pineapple salsa to your chicken on the plate.
    Turn it up a notch. Give it some real kick by adding chili pepper flakes to your marinade for chili lime chicken. You’ll want to add from ¼ teaspoon to one teaspoon of chili flakes depending on your level of tolerance. This is perfect for tacos!
    Add healthy fats. Top with avocado salsa or guacamole
    Ward off vampires. Add several cloves of minced garlic to your marinade for garlic lime chicken.
    Booze it up. Add half a can of your favorite beer to your marinade in the bag for beer lime chicken.
    Take it tropical. Add half a cup of coconut milk to your marinade and glaze for coconut lime chicken. Then garnish your chicken with chopped cilantro and toasted coconut flakes on the plate.
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 8servings | Calories: 294kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 344mg | Potassium: 867mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 101IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @kitchenlaughter or tag #kitchenlaughter!
    Grilled Lime Chicken RecipeGrilled Lime Chicken RecipeGrilled Lime Chicken Recipe
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