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A top shot of juicy honey lime garlic chicken leg served over fluffy white rice, garnished with cilantro, lime slices, and jalapeño slices, next to a bowl of honey lime sauce

Garlic Honey Lime Chicken

Fatimah
Bring bold flavors to your dinner table with this easy garlic honey lime chicken recipe. A perfect balance of citrusy brightness, sweet honey, and warm spices creates a truly irresistible dish.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine Latin, Mediterranean
Servings 4
Calories 2300 kcal

Ingredients
  

Chicken Rub

  • 4 chicken leg quarters
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 5 garlic cloves minced
  • 4 tablespoons honey
  • 2 limes juiced and zested
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro finely chopped
  • 1 jalapeno sliced or minced
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ¾ teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Honey Lime Sauce

  • ¼ cup honey
  • 3 limes juiced
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 tablespoon cilantro finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon water to thin it out

Instructions
 

  • 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.
  • 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.

Notes

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 2300kcalCarbohydrates: 185gProtein: 99gFat: 140gSaturated Fat: 32gPolyunsaturated Fat: 25gMonounsaturated Fat: 71gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 566mgSodium: 4239mgPotassium: 1848mgFiber: 13gSugar: 145gVitamin A: 2553IUVitamin C: 105mgCalcium: 240mgIron: 10mg
Keyword Garlic Honey Lime Chicken, Honey Lime Chicken
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