This easy Chipotle Honey Lime Chicken is a smash hit every time. Whether grilled or sautéed in a pan, the citrus marinade with warm spices, fresh herbs and honey is packed with flavor. Perfect as a main course, sliced over salads, in tacos or in a sandwich, this recipe is so versatile!
Well this past weekend was a bit of a stay at home type of weekend. One of our little guys, well all 72 pounds of him, Oliver, had a bit of a back issue. Two visits to the vet and muscle relaxers 3 times daily was on order for us. Keeping a five year old labradoodle with a brother indoors, and as inactive as possible, was a task. Needless to say an easy and delicious dinner was in order Saturday. So Dave asked if I’d make this for us and have handy leftovers for tacos the next night.
With an easy marinade made with most items already in your pantry, this Chipotle Honey Lime Chicken needs only an hour to marinate and really packs in the flavor.
Reserve some of that marinade for pouring over after cooking and you’re set, too. Whether you want to grill it or cook it in your kitchen, this one is sure to be a hit. Basting as this cooks adds flavor, the honey caramelizes and the layers of flavor are amazing.
Sticky sweet with a fantastic bite of heat from the chipotle powder, the cumin, lime and cilantro are some of my favorite flavors and make this a go to recipe.
You can serve the chicken breast with a side dish, slice it up and have it over a salad, make tacos or put them in a a sandwich.
Tender, juicy chicken is always a hit and when you have flavors like this Chipotle Honey Lime Chicken, it’s one I keep on the back burner for a flavorful dinner. Even if you come home from work and make this without the hour long marinade it still works. I have, and with the basting and reserved marinade for spooning over at serving, you still get plenty of flavor.
Try this sliced and in my Honey Lime Chipotle Chicken Tacos or for other chipotle inspired dishes, try my Ancho Chipotle Chili Lime Grilled Shrimp, Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Apricots, Cinnamon and Chipotle, Chipotle Cheeseburger Flatbread Melts, and for some soup action, try my Chipotle Potato Corn Chowder with Pancetta. Enjoy!
Chipotle Honey Lime Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts large, boneless (See Note 1)
- 3 tbsp olive oil separated
- 1/2 cup lime juice
- 1 tbsp lime zest
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tsp chipotle chili powder
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 1/8 tsp salt
Instructions
- In a medium size bowl, stir together 2 tablespoons of olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, honey, chipotle chili and garlic powders, cumin, cilantro and salt until well combined. Reserve 1/3 cup of the marinade.
- Pour marinade over chicken breasts in container and let soak covered in the refrigerator for 1 hour. (See Note 2)
- Add remaining tablespoon of oil to hot skillet. Cook chicken for 1-2 minutes or until golden brown on medium-high. Baste with marinade, then turn and cook the other side for 1-2 minutes. Baste again, cover and cook on low for 10 minutes (and discard any remaining marinade). Transfer to plate, cover loosely with foil to keep warm until serving.
- Slice to top salads or in tacos or keep whole and serve with a side dish or in a sandwich. Spoon reserved marinade over at time of serving.
Notes
- Slice each breast horizontally for two pieces if extra large breasts.
- I have found that longer than 1 hour the chicken starts to develop a “skin” due to the citrus juice slowly “cooking” it. Some people marinate for 2-4 hours, but it’s up to you. With the marinade to baste while cooking and the reserved to spoon on top after, the flavors are definitely there.
Do you have your taco recipe for this chicken? They looked wonderful
Funny you mentioned that Dianna. I looked and realized I have yet to post that one. Sorry, but keep your eyes peeled, it’s coming soon now! 🙂
You’re killin’ me here ☺️
The recipe Honey Lime Chipotle Chicken Tacos is up now Dianna! I hope you enjoy them and the apple slaw. 🙂
This looks so delicious, I actually licked my computer screen. Unfortunately, my screen did not taste like Chipotle honey lime chicken.
Definitely don’t want the taste of your computer screen to deceive you of the deliciousness that this really is Jeff. Be careful!
Always looking for ways to spice up chicken! Thanks for the recipe.
You bet, I try! 😉
Wow, you’ve got some serious flavour going in that marinade, Kevin! Good to hear your pooch is much better.
Thanks John. By the way, Croatia looks fab, Dave’s family has gone there and just loved it too. On the list!
I love cooking and chicken is my favorite. Your chipotle honey lime chicken looks so juicy and delicious! I cannot wait to try out this dish and share with my family. I’m glad to hear your Oliver is doing better. I can only imagine what you all went thru. We have a 4 years old pure breed German Sheppard (Jasper) who got himself hurt and required surgery and a stay over at the Surgery Center.
Thanks Amy, this is a winner of a recipe in my book, with so many uses. Hope you and your family enjoy. Our previous dogs and cat have all had surguries as well and the cat even went through chemo! Their our kids, gotta take care of them, right? Cheers! Hope Jasper is on the mend, too. 🙂
Hey Kevin! This looks so juicy and delicious! We just bought a jar of locally produced dark honey from a roadside vendor and I think this is a perfect way to use some. Poor Oliver, I know how difficult it is to keep an active dog “quiet”, it just goes against their nature. Hope he’s doing better.
Ollie is on the mend and just about 100% today I am happy to report Dorothy. How are you guys doing?