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Flavorful Grilled Honey Lime Chicken Thighs

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Juicy, tender chicken thighs grilled with a sweet and tangy honey lime glaze, perfect for quick weeknight dinners or casual barbecues.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds / 900 grams)
  • 1/4 cup honey (85 grams), preferably raw or wildflower
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (from 2–3 limes, about 60 ml)
  • Zest of 1 lime
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (30 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, lime juice and zest, minced garlic, olive oil, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using until glossy and fragrant.
  2. Marinate the chicken: Place chicken thighs in a large sealable bag or shallow dish. Pour marinade over chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated. Seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours.
  3. Preheat the grill: Heat grill to medium-high (about 375°F / 190°C) and clean grates.
  4. Grill the chicken: Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Place skin side down on grill and cook for 7-10 minutes without moving to develop char. Flip and grill another 7-10 minutes, basting with reserved glaze during last 5 minutes if desired. Cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and skin is caramelized and crispy.
  5. Rest the chicken: Transfer to a plate and let rest under foil for 5 minutes to redistribute juices.
  6. Serve hot with extra lime wedges or fresh cilantro.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before marinating for better glaze adhesion and crispier skin. Avoid marinating longer than 2 hours to prevent the acid from ‘cooking’ the chicken. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). Rest chicken 5 minutes before serving to keep it juicy. Brush glaze on during last minutes to avoid burning sugars. Control flare-ups by moving chicken to cooler spots and using a spray bottle of water if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled chicken, honey lime chicken, chicken thighs, barbecue, easy dinner, summer recipe, gluten-free, dairy-free

Find it online: https://emmayum.com/flavorful-grilled-honey-lime-chicken-thighs-easy-zesty-glaze-recipe/