Go Back
Lime Chicken
marie

Lime Chicken

Bright, zesty, and packed with bold flavor, this Lime Chicken features juicy chicken marinated in fresh lime, garlic, and a touch of sweetness, then cooked until perfectly caramelized. It’s an easy, versatile recipe that works just as well for busy weeknights as it does for entertaining.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Lime Marinade
  • 600–750 g chicken breasts or boneless chicken thighs about 4 pieces
  • 1 lime zest zest only
  • 4 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 2 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp fresh cilantro finely chopped, optional
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce or use 2 tbsp soy sauce
For Cooking
  • 1–2 tbsp olive oil

Method
 

  1. If using chicken breasts, pound them gently to an even thickness so they cook evenly and stay juicy.
  2. In a bowl, mix lime zest, lime juice, garlic, brown sugar, black pepper, olive oil, cilantro, and fish sauce or soy sauce until the sugar dissolves.
  3. Add the chicken to a zip-top bag, pour over the marinade, and massage to coat evenly. Refrigerate for at least 12 hours, ideally 24 hours.
  4. Remove chicken from the marinade, discard excess liquid, and let the chicken rest at room temperature for 10 minutes before cooking.
  5. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, or preheat a grill. Cook chicken for about 3 minutes per side until golden and caramelized, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F / 75°C.
  6. Transfer chicken to a plate, loosely cover with foil, and rest for 3 minutes before serving.

Notes

For extra heat, add chili flakes or sliced fresh chili to the marinade. Fish sauce adds depth, but soy sauce works well as a substitute. This chicken is excellent for meal prep and tastes even better the next day.