If you’re craving a dish that’s sweet, tangy, and packed with bold flavor, this garlic honey lime chicken is a must-try. Juicy chicken leg quarters are marinated with fresh lime juice and zest, honey, garlic, and a blend of warm spices, then baked to perfection for crispy skin and tender, flavorful meat.

It’s the perfect balance of savory and sweet with a subtle kick from jalapeño, making it a crowd-pleaser any day of the week.

Ideal for weeknight dinners, family gatherings, or summer cookouts, this garlic honey lime chicken recipe tastes like something from a restaurant but requires simple pantry ingredients. You will also love to try Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas (30 minutes), Shish Tawook – Middle Eastern Chicken Kebabs, and Lemon Garlic Chicken (Jaj O Batata).

Recipe Summary

Cuisine: Mediterranean and Latin-inspired flavors

Prep and Cooking Time: Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes

Cooking Method: Baking and Broiling

Skill Required: Beginner to Intermediate

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Sweet, tangy, and savory: a perfect balance of sweet honey, zesty lime, and warm spices

Crispy and juicy: the skin turns golden and crisp while the inside stays tender and flavorful

Easy weeknight dinner: simple ingredients and easy steps make it ideal for busy nights

Versatile dish: pairs well with fluffy rice, fresh salads, potatoes, or roasted veggies, and bread

Crowd-pleaser: a family-friendly recipe that both kids and adults will love

Perfect year-round: warm enough for winter dinners and light enough for summer meals

Ingredients

Chicken Rub

• Chicken leg quarters
• Olive oil
• Garlic cloves, minced
• Honey
• Limes, juiced and zested
• Cilantro, finely chopped
• Jalapeno, sliced or minced
• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Coriander powder
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Smoked paprika

Honey Lime Sauce

• Honey
• Limes, juiced
• Pinch of salt
• Cilantro, finely chopped
• Water

How to Make Garlic Honey Lime Chicken

Preheat oven to 400°F.

In a bowl, combine the honey, olive oil, lime zest, lime juice, minced garlic, and jalapeno. Mix well.

Add the cumin, coriander powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper.

Cut slits into the chicken. Pour the marinade mixture on top of the chicken and rub it in well. Make sure to get it under the skin.

Place marinated chicken in a baking dish lined with parchment paper and bake uncovered at 400°F for 30 minutes.

Then, cover with aluminum foil and bake for another 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature is 165°F.

Remove the foil and broil for a few minutes to get the skin extra crispy.

While the chicken bakes, combine the honey lime sauce ingredients in a bowl.

Spoon the sauce over the cooked chicken or use it as a sauce to dip the chicken in.

Serve with potatoes, rice, or bread.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this garlic honey lime chicken hot, straight from the oven, with a drizzle of the honey-lime sauce on top for an extra punch of flavor.

Garlic honey lime chicken pairs perfectly with fluffy rice, cilantro lime rice, or quinoa to soak up the sweet and tangy sauce.

Serve alongside creamy mashed potatoes, crispy potato wedges, roasted baby potatoes, or honey garlic roasted carrots for a hearty meal.

For a lighter side, serve it with a refreshing salad to balance the richness of the chicken. Try it with Arabic chopped salad (salata arabiyeh), fattoush, or Lebanese tabbouleh salad.

Enjoy garlic honey lime chicken with warm, crusty bread or dinner rolls to scoop up every bit of the flavorful sauce.

Variations and Substitutes

Chicken alternative: try chicken drumsticks, thighs, or even chicken breast if preferred.

Spice level: add extra chili flakes for more heat or omit jalapeño for a mild version.

Citrus twist: for a different citrus profile, use lemon or orange in place of lime.

Honey substitute: instead of honey, use maple syrup or agave.

Herb options: replace cilantro with fresh parsley or basil for a different flavor twist.

Recipe Tips

Marinate for deeper flavor: let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to fully infuse the meat.

Cut slits in the chicken: this helps the marinade seep into the meat, making it more flavorful and juicy.

Use fresh lime juice and zest: fresh citrus delivers the best tangy flavor; bottled juice won’t taste the same.

Balance the sweetness and acidity: taste the honey-lime sauce before serving and adjust the honey or lime to your liking.

Broil at the end: for extra crispy caramelized skin, broil the chicken for the last 2–3 minutes.

Check temperature: use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe and perfectly cooked chicken.

Don’t skip the sauce: the honey-lime sauce drizzled over the cooked chicken adds incredible flavor and moisture.

Storage Tips

Refrigerator: Store honey lime chicken leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days.

Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.

Reheating: Warm in the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes or until heated through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this chicken ahead of time?

Yes! Marinate the chicken overnight and bake it the next day for a quick meal.

Can I use boneless chicken?

Yes, boneless thighs or breasts work, but reduce cooking time by 10–15 minutes.

How spicy is this dish?

It’s mildly spicy, but you can adjust the heat by adding or reducing jalapeño and chili powder.

Can I grill this instead of baking?

Absolutely! Grill on medium-high heat until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

More Recipes To Try

Tandoori Chicken Rice Bowls (Halal Cart)

Fava Bean Maqluba – Rabiyieh

Sayadieh (Lebanese Rice and Fish)

Egyptian Moussaka (Eggplant and Ground Beef Tomato Bake)

Middle Eastern Chuck Roast (Oven Braised)

Copycat Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl

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