Grilled Honey Lime Chicken

This Grilled Honey Lime Chicken is so amazing that it's likely to leave you speechless! Be sure to properly marinate and grill it, don't settle for an hour or two of marinating and follow tips listed at bottom of recipe for properly grilled chicken. In my opinion this chicken is completely phenomenal! I made this recipe because I love chicken for dinner and I wanted a new recipe to add to the rotation. This is an exciting one that I'm certain is going to be made in my home quite frequently. All of the flavors of this simple marinade blend so perfectly together and compliment the chicken amazingly well. If you have leftovers - which is unlikely, they would make an incredible filling for tacos. I hope you love this recipe!

Honey Lime Chicken
Yields about 4 servings


Ingredients:
1.5 - 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast halves or chicken thighs
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 tsp lime zest
1/4 cup honey
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp packed light-brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder or 1 clove finely minced garlic
1/8 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)


Directions:
If chicken isn't an even thickness then place chicken in a large ziploc bag and seal bag. Using the flat side of a meat mallet, pound chicken to an even thickness. 
Place chicken in a non-reactive dish in a single layer. In a mixing bowl whisk together remaining ingredients. Reserve 2 Tbsp of the mixture in a non-reactive, airtight container in the refrigerator. Pour remaining mixture over the chicken, cover dish and allow to marinate 8 hours or overnight in the refrigerator. 
Preheat grill to medium high heat. Once preheated, brush grill lightly with olive oil. Place chicken on grill and cook (with lid closed) 5-8 minutes per side until juices run clear (cook time depends on the thickness of the chicken, internal temp should register to 160 when done), baste each side of chicken with reserved marinade during the last minute of cooking. For juicier chicken, plate chicken, cover with foil and allow to rest 5 minutes. Serve immediately.
Notes for better grilled chicken: don't flip chicken over and over again, it only needs to be flipped once, and if you like the cross marks as pictured you can flip it a second time during the last minute of cooking. For the mouth watering grill marks brush the grill with olive oil before cooking and then when flipping to opposite side, this also prevents sticking as well. Don't press down on chicken when grilling or poke continuously, this will release the juices and that delicious marinade. Don't overcook or chicken will be tough, for tender chicken cook until internal temperature registers at 160 degrees on an instant read thermometer. Don't lift grill lid more than necessary. 


Recipe Source: Cooking Classy