Description
This easy chili lime chicken recipe delivers bold, zesty flavor in just 30 minutes. Juicy chicken breasts are marinated in a tangy, smoky blend and cooked to perfection for a quick weeknight dinner or backyard barbecue.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 24 oz)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Extra lime wedges (for serving)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If thick, pound to even thickness (about 3/4 inch).
- In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, smoked paprika, minced garlic, honey, cumin, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Add chicken to the bowl and toss to coat. Marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature or up to 2 hours in the fridge.
- Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes. Add a drizzle of olive oil if needed.
- Place chicken in the hot pan. Cook for 5-7 minutes on the first side until browned.
- Flip and cook another 5-7 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Transfer chicken to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Slice chicken and arrange on a platter. Squeeze extra lime juice over top and sprinkle with chopped cilantro. Serve hot with lime wedges.
Notes
For extra juiciness, use chicken thighs. Marinate longer for deeper flavor. If you want it spicier, add cayenne or jalapeño. Can be grilled or baked on a sheet pan. Let chicken rest before slicing to keep it juicy. Leftovers taste even better the next day.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (about 6 oz cooked)
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 37
Keywords: chili lime chicken, easy chicken recipe, zesty chicken, weeknight dinner, Mexican chicken, gluten-free, healthy chicken, skillet chicken, grill chicken