Description
This Lime Marinated Grilled Chicken recipe offers tender, juicy chicken breasts or thighs infused with zesty lime, garlic, and a hint of sweetness from brown sugar. The marinade also includes aromatic cilantro and a savory touch of fish sauce or soy sauce, delivering a vibrant and flavorful dish perfect for grilling, stovetop cooking, or oven baking. Ideal for meal prep or a fresh, summery dinner, this recipe requires marinating for maximum flavor and results in beautifully caramelized chicken with a bright citrus finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 600–750g (1.2 – 1.5 lb) chicken breasts (4 pieces) or boneless thighs
Marinade
- Zest of 1 lime
- 4 tbsp lime juice (from 1 – 2 limes)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp finely chopped cilantro/coriander (optional)
- 1 tbsp fish sauce or 2 tbsp soy sauce
For Cooking
- 1 – 2 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
Instructions
- Pound the Chicken: Use your fist or a rolling pin to gently pound the thick end of each chicken breast to an even thickness of about 1.7 cm (2/3 inch). This helps the chicken cook evenly and tenderizes it. If using boneless thighs, this step is not necessary.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken in a ziplock bag with the prepared marinade (lime zest, lime juice, minced garlic, brown sugar, pepper, olive oil, chopped cilantro, and fish sauce or soy sauce). Massage the marinade into the chicken thoroughly to coat evenly. Place the bag on a plate or in a bowl and refrigerate for at least 12 hours, ideally 24 hours, but no longer than 48 hours for best flavor and texture.
- Prepare for Cooking: Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the leftover liquid. Pat the chicken lightly if desired to remove excess moisture before cooking.
- Cook on Stovetop: Heat 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts or thighs and cook for 3 minutes on each side until golden brown and caramelized. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) to ensure doneness.
- Grill (BBQ) Option: Brush the grill grates with oil and preheat to medium-high heat (use medium heat if your grill runs hot). Grill the chicken for 3 minutes per side until nicely caramelized and cooked through.
- Oven Baking Option: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place the chicken on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Then switch the oven to broil/grill mode on high and cook for an additional 3 minutes to caramelize the surface and finish cooking the chicken.
- Rest the Chicken: Transfer the cooked chicken onto a serving plate. Loosely cover with foil and let it rest for 3 minutes to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring juicy and tender meat.
- Serve: Garnish with extra chopped cilantro/coriander, lime wedges, and optional chili for heat. Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful lime marinated grilled chicken!
Notes
- Note 1: Using boneless thighs is optional and does not require pounding because they have more even thickness.
- Note 2: Fish sauce gives a deeper umami flavor, while soy sauce works as a great vegetarian-friendly alternative.
- Note 3: Marinating time is flexible but ideally between 12 to 24 hours for optimal flavor penetration. Avoid exceeding 48 hours to prevent the chicken from becoming mushy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Fusion
Keywords: lime marinated chicken, grilled chicken, easy chicken recipe, summer chicken, cilantro chicken, citrus marinade, boneless chicken breast, boneless chicken thigh
