Description
This sticky honey lime chicken recipe creates the perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors with a gorgeous caramelized glaze. Ready in just 25 minutes, this restaurant-quality dish uses simple pantry ingredients to deliver juicy, tender chicken that’s perfect for busy weeknight dinners. The honey lime marinade creates an irresistible sticky coating that will have your family asking for seconds!
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- For the Sticky Honey Lime Marinade:
- ⅓ cup honey (liquid, not crystallized)
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice (about 2–3 limes)
- 2 tablespoons lime zest
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, lime juice, lime zest, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, red pepper flakes, and cilantro until well combined. Reserve ¼ cup of marinade for later use.
- Marinate the chicken: Season chicken with salt and pepper. Place in a large zip-top bag with remaining marinade. Marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature or 2-4 hours in refrigerator for best results.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and cook 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Create the glaze: In the final 2-3 minutes of cooking, add reserved marinade to the skillet. Let it bubble and reduce until thick and glossy, coating the chicken completely.
- Rest and serve: Remove from heat and let chicken rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional cilantro and lime wedges if desired.
Notes
Storage: Store leftover sticky honey lime chicken in refrigerator up to 4 days. Reheat gently to preserve the glaze.
Freezing: Freeze raw marinated chicken up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before cooking.
Variations: For spicy version, add 1-2 minced jalapeños or 1 tsp sriracha to marinade. For air fryer: Cook at 380°F for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway.
Pro Tips: Don’t skip the resting time – it allows juices to redistribute. Use fresh lime juice for best flavor. Reserve marinade before adding raw chicken for food safety.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 165mg
Keywords: sticky honey lime chicken, honey lime chicken recipe, easy weeknight dinner, Asian chicken, sticky chicken, honey lime marinade, quick chicken recipe, family dinner, meal prep chicken