Spicy Honey-Lime Chicken

The combination of honey (or maple syrup), soy sauce, sriracha, lime, garlic and ginger in this spicy honey lime chicken recipe is wicked. Delicious hot, room temp or cold.

You can make the recipe with whole boneless chicken thighs or breasts, skewers or bone-in chicken. My favorite is boneless thighs (pictured here) because they are so flavorful, they absorb the marinade well and they tend to stay moister than breasts. If you’ve read any of our other chicken posts, you’ve heard this. Many times.

The sweet tangy spicy chicken marinade – so delicious – also works well with pork skewers, tenderloin or chops. Even tofu.

Here are some great sides to accompany the honey lime chicken: bread salad with charred snap peas, grilled corn salad, party salad with grilled vegetables and quinoa and grilled vegetable orzo salad recipe.

Tailor To Your Taste

How to serve honey lime chicken

• I love the grilled chicken skewers format the best because you get the maximum glaze covering the chicken. But you can also use whole chicken breasts or thighs. If using bone-in, I suggest doubling the marinade.
• For appetizers, use regular boneless chicken thighs or breasts. Once cooked, cut the chicken into small pieces and thread on small wooden skewers or toothpicks to serve.
• The chicken is fabulous served in pita or tortillas with a tangy coleslaw or Israeli salad.

Marinade/Glaze

• Vary the amount of sriracha heat you like. The amount in the recipe is fairly spicy. I know some will like it even hotter. Or some not at all.
• Replace the lime with lemon.
• Try adding coriander or a favorite spice to the marinade.

Cooking method 

• If you don’t have a grill, broil the chicken skewers in the oven for 9-12 minutes.
• Cooking time will take longer with bone in chicken. Heat one side of the grill on low, the other on medium high. Cook until almost done ((140F) on the low side, then switch to the hotter side to brown and finish cooking.

Shortcuts

• Skip the skewers and cook boneless or bone-in chicken (not cut up). Still delish! And dinner in 20 minutes.
• Substitute 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder for the fresh garlic.
• Marinate at room temperature for 30-40 minutes instead of 4-6 hours or overnight in the fridge. Or skip the marinating altogether. The flavors won’t be as intense, but still great. Consider doubling the sauce or making 1 1/2 times the amount if you are not marinating the chicken.

Make Ahead

• Make the recipe ahead for a crowd and serve it at room temperature. Or warm it briefly in the microwave for a minute or two. Don’t overdo it or the chicken will dry out and toughen.

Other easy grilled chicken recipes you might like

• Mediterranean marinated grilled chicken
• Grilled BBQ chicken
• Grilled Vietnamese chicken
• Sweet and spicy chicken wings

How to make spicy honey lime chicken

Ingredients: Cut up boneless chicken thighs, salt, sriracha, ginger, soy, maple syrup, garlic, lime juice, lime

Make the marinade and use half of it to marinate the chicken. Reserve the rest for basting.

Skewer the chicken.

Grill chicken and baste with remaining marinade.

This recipe was adapted from Once Upon a Chef. Thank you!

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4.6 from 25 votes

Spicy Honey Lime Chicken

The combination of honey (or maple syrup), soy sauce, sriracha, lime, garlic and ginger in this spicy honey lime chicken recipe is wicked. Delicious hot, room temp or cold.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time10 mins

Marinating time30 mins

Total Time50 mins

Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: 5

1x2x3x

Author: Cheryl

Equipment

• Skewers (metal or wood). If using wood, soak for 30 minutes before using. Skewers not needed if using uncut boneless or bone in chicken.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 lbs boneless skinless thighs (or breasts), trimmed and cut into 2 inch pieces Note 1
• Garnish: 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro or parsley; lime wedges

Marinade/Glaze (Note 2)

• 3 tbsp soy sauce low sodium is good if you have
• 6 tbsp honey or maple syrup
• 1 tsp lime zest from one lime
• 3 tbsp lime juice from 1 1/2 to 2 limes
• 4 garlic cloves, minced or grated (or 1/2 tsp garlic powder)
• 1 1/2 tbsp grated fresh ginger (about 1 1/2 inch of fresh ginger)
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 tbsp Sriracha sauce for pretty spicy (use more or less to taste)
• 1 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cornstarch (to thicken to glaze consistency) Optional

Instructions

• MAKE MARINADE/SAUCE: Whisk all marinade ingredients together in a small bowl. Or blend them in a food processor.
• MARINATE CHICKEN: Pour half the marinade (about 1/2 cup) into a sealed zipper bag or container and add chicken. Marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature or 6-12 hours in fridge. Tip: if marinating overnight, I leave out lime juice and increase zest so it doesn't 'cook' the chicken.

  Glaze: The reserved 1/2 cup marinade will be used for glazing/basting. (Optional but suggested: Mix 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch into reserved marinade and microwave for 1 minute to make a glaze-like consistency. I do this). Set aside.
• PREPARE GRILL: Scrape grill and spray grill with oil (or dip paper towel in oil and rub on grill). Heat grill to medium-high. If using wood skewers, soak them for 30 minutes beforehand to avoid burning. Note 3.
• GRILL CHICKEN SKEWERS: Skewer marinated chicken pieces onto skewers and pat dry (important). Discard the marinade used for marinating. Lightly spray chicken with oil to further avoid sticking. Grill chicken on all sides until golden brown, for 9-12 minutes in total (depending on thickness and how tightly packed the skewers are), basting once or twice with the honey lime glaze. Instant thermometer will read 160F. Rest chicken, loosely covered for 5 minutes.
• SERVE: If you have any leftover sauce, drizzle it on the chicken or warm it in microwave for 30 seconds and pass it around. Sprinkle chicken with cilantro or parsley and serve with lime wedges if desired.

Notes

1. Chicken options:
   • I prefer thighs because they are juicier and less likely to dry out when cooked. In this recipe, however, breasts work really well too when marinated.
   • Instead of skewered chicken, you can also cook regular bone-in or boneless chicken (but make extra marinade for bone-in)
   • Kosher chicken is particularly flavorful and juicy because it is already brined. 
2. Marinade/glaze: If you are using bone in chicken, I suggest doubling the marinade/glaze. In fact, you might also want to double it (or do 1 1/2 times the amounts) for extra drizzling or to soak into a side of rice or quinoa. 
3. No grill? Instead, chicken can be broiled in the oven, turning once, for 9-12 minutes, brushing with the glaze.
4. Make Ahead: The recipe can be made ahead for a crowd and served at room temperature or cold. Or warmed briefly in the microwave for a minute or two. Don't overdo it or the chicken will dry out and toughen.

Nutrition value estimates include boneless chicken breasts. Thighs would have more calories and fat. 

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Spicy Honey Lime Chicken

Amount Per Serving

Calories 373 Calories from Fat 81

% Daily Value*

Fat 9g14%

Saturated Fat 3g19%

Cholesterol 145mg48%

Sodium 1553mg68%

Potassium 904mg26%

Carbohydrates 23g8%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 21g23%

Protein 50g100%

Vitamin A 68IU1%

Vitamin C 9mg11%

Calcium 18mg2%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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The honey lime chicken recipe, originally published in 2016, has been edited with new images and information.