Lime Grilled Chicken

This simple lime grilled chicken can be the centerpiece of almost any meal, from big salads to grain bowls, tacos to sandwiches. It tastes delicious with any side dish recipe, from grilled vegetables to chilled potato salads. Without kicky spices or potent seasonings, lime-marinated chicken is flavorful but approachable, making it ideal for a family dinner. And while it’s a great weekend cookout idea, the thin boneless chicken breasts cook quickly—we’re talking literal minutes—making it an easy recipe to whip up on the busiest weeknights.

Grilled Lime Chicken Ingredients

• Chicken breast: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this and for other quick dinner grilled chicken recipes. Cut them in half before cooking; you want pieces that weigh about 4 ounces.
• Lime juice: A lime marinade for chicken serves two purposes. It adds flavor, and the acid tenderizes the meat, resulting in juicy, succulent chicken.
• Olive oil: A fat is crucial to most marinades. Olive oil imparts flavor and gets hot enough to brown the chicken.
• Aromatics: The seasonings are simple but full of fresh, zippy flavor. Our lime chicken marinade is made with minced green onions, garlic cloves, fresh dill and a dash of pepper.
• Lime wedges: Garnish the grilled chicken with lime wedges to underscore the flavor, if you’d like. The limes can be squeezed over the chicken and any vegetable sides.

Directions

Step 1: Set up the marinade

Place the chicken in a shallow dish. In a small bowl, combine the lime juice, oil, onions, garlic, 2 tablespoons of dill and pepper. Pour the marinade over the chicken, turning each piece once to coat both sides. Cover the dish and refrigerate the chicken for two to four hours.

Editor’s Tip: Since boneless, skinless chicken breasts are so tender, they can get mushy if left to marinate too long. You really only need a few hours.

Step 2: Grill the lime chicken

Drain the chicken, discarding the marinade. Grill the chicken, covered, over medium-hot heat for three to four minutes on each side, or until a thermometer reads 165°F.

Step 3: Season and serve

Sprinkle the cooked chicken with the remaining tablespoon of dill. If desired, serve it with lime wedges.

Grilled Lime Chicken Variations

• Fire it up: The chicken is great with spice. Add a dash of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the marinade.
• Make it lemon: Swap the lime juice with lemon for a more Mediterranean-inspired flavor.
• Change up the seasonings: Use cilantro instead of dill and add a shake of chili powder for a Mexican-style taste.
• Use different chicken cuts: Swap boneless thighs for the boneless chicken breasts. They’ll take a few minutes longer to cook, but they’ll be extra juicy. You could also use bone-in chicken legs or wings; in that case, add several minutes of cooking time.

How to Store Grilled Lime Chicken

Transfer leftover grilled lime chicken to an airtight container or zip-top bag. Store it in the refrigerator for up to four days.

How do you reheat grilled lime chicken?

This chicken with lime recipe is delicious served cold or hot. Reheat the chicken in the microwave or in a skillet on the stovetop for warm dishes. Or serve it cold on top of a salad, in a sandwich or wrap.

Grilled Lime Chicken Tips

How do you keep lime grilled chicken juicy?

The biggest trick to grilling marinated chicken? Be careful not to overcook it! Because chicken breast is naturally low in fat, it can easily dry out when overcooked. Keep a close eye on the grill and remove the chicken as soon as it comes to temperature. Remember that the chicken will continue to cook after coming off the grill.

How long can chicken marinate in lime?

Chicken should marinate for no more than a few hours. The acid in marinades—in this case, the lime—tenderizes the meat by breaking down its proteins. For a short time, that’s great, but you can take it too far. Thin, delicate cuts like boneless chicken breasts should marinate for about half a day at most. Some recipes will call for marinating up to overnight, but that’s usually for larger or tougher cuts of beef or pork.

How else can you cook lime chicken?

You can cook lime chicken almost any way—it’s essentially just marinated chicken breasts. Saute them in a dash of olive oil in a pan on the stovetop for about four to five minutes per side. You can also bake the chicken, though cooking will take longer. Preheat the oven to 350°. Lightly coat a 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Arrange the chicken in the dish, ensuring the pieces are evenly spaced. Sprinkle the chicken with paprika. Bake it, uncovered, for 15 minutes before checking for doneness.

What should you serve with grilled lime chicken?

Serve grilled lime chicken with simple grilled side dishes like potato fans or stuffed zucchini. Try Mexican-inspired side dishes like cilantro rice or street corn. The zippy chicken is also delicious with classic picnic sides like potato salad or pasta salad.