Ginger Lime Chicken

When the sun comes out and the weather starts warming up, it’s time to light up the barbecue for this Ginger Lime Chicken! Although you can enjoy this dish year-round, those iconic char marks from the barbecue are unbeatable during the summertime.

The marriage of ginger and lime in this tasty dish is a match made in heaven as each bite is brimming with citrus flavor. 

I also find that the lime seeps into the chicken, keeping it moist and adding incredible depth without adding calories. And hey, a few slices of lime on the top of the chicken look oh-so-aesthetic on the dinner table.

Now, I’m the first to say that I adore simple recipes with minimal prep work and this one fits the bill perfectly. 

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Not only can you whip up the marinade in a matter of minutes, but the grill takes care of the rest! Plus, you can easily grab a meat thermometer to remove the guesswork out of the process (as you always want to be sure!).

Whether you need something for a summer garden party or a reliable midweek meal, this is the protein-packed recipe you’ll want to try!

So, let’s get cooking.

Why You’ll Love This Ginger Lime Chicken

• It’s the perfect combination of sweet, savory, and zingy citrus flavors!
• The prep work is virtually nil and the BBQ adds an incredible char to the chicken that you’ll adore.
• It’s a crowd-pleaser at summer events, dinner parties, and everything in between.
• It’s loaded with protein, is low-calorie, and pairs well with a ton of different side dishes.
• It takes just over 20 minutes to make!

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

• Skinless chicken breasts. You can easily pick up skinless chicken breasts from any grocery store. Just make sure you remove any excess fat before cooking.
• Lime. Fresh lime works best for this recipe and gives the chicken breasts an incredibly bright and zingy flavor.
• Fresh ginger. Gives this dish an amazing warmth and slight spice that blends perfectly with the sweet honey.
• Honey. Lends your chicken breasts a signature glaze while offering sweetness to balance the lime and ginger.
• Vegetable oil. Any oil with a relatively high smoke point will do, but vegetable oil is a reliable favorite!
• Cumin. For an additional hit of spice and savory flavor.
• Salt. To season the chicken!

How to Make Ginger Lime Chicken

• Step One: Preheat the barbecue to medium heat.
• Step Two: Make shallow cuts to both sides of the chicken.
• Step Three: In a small bowl, mix lime juice, honey, ginger, vegetable oil, cumin, and salt.

• Step Four: Brush marinade over both sides of the chicken.
• Step Five: Place chicken on the BBQ with the lid down. Turn and baste them often with marinade for the first five minutes.
• Step Six: Continue to barbecue until the chicken feels springy when pressed and your meat thermometer reaches 165F. This is usually 5 to 7 more minutes depending on your BBQ.

• Step Seven: Remove your chicken from the barbecue and serve with a selection of your favorite sides!

Equipment Needed

If you want to make the cooking process for this ginger lime chicken as easy as possible, I suggest picking up a few pieces of equipment.

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• Boxed Grater
• Silicone Basting and Pastry Brush
• Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowl

What to Serve with Ginger Lime Chicken

This ginger lime chicken is utterly delicious on its own, but it’s a great idea to pair it with a few sumptuous sides! These are among my absolute favorites.

• Party Potatoes
• Swedish Potatoes
• Candied Sweet Potatoes
• Curried Lentil Rice

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Make sure your BBQ is reheated before you start. Some brands can take a long time to warm up, and you want to be able to put your chicken on the grill ASAP!
• Don’t forget to baste both sides of your chicken. It sounds simple, but basting both sides of the chicken will make it even more moist and keep the flavor even across the entire breast.
• Don’t forget to reserve some lime wedges. You can use these to top your chicken or serve them alongside your dish for anyone who wants an extra citrus hit.
• Use a meat thermometer. The meat thermometer isn’t compulsory here, but it can give you major peace of mind when working with barbecues. As some get naturally hotter than others, it’ll stop you from undercooking or overcooking your meat.
• Don’t skip slitting the chicken! The slits in the chicken absorb all of the delicious marinade and help it sink right to the center of the meat.

Variations and Substitutions

• If you want a citrus-based chicken dish but don’t like lime, you can switch it out for lemon instead!
• Although chicken breasts work best for this recipe, you can use the same marinade with drumsticks, thighs, and wings. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• If you want to add a hint of herby flavor to this recipe, a sprinkle of dried rosemary or thyme can replace the cumin.

Storage Instructions

This delicious ginger lime chicken can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for around 3 days.

Just make sure you check your chicken for any texture changes and thoroughly reheat it if you want to enjoy it hot.

If you’d like it cold, feel free to throw it in anything from salads to sandwiches!

Can I Freeze?

You can make several portions of this recipe to put in the freezer.

Remember to wait for the chicken to cool completely before placing the individual breasts in freezer bags (with labeled dates!).

Thaw your chicken breasts in the fridge the night before and you’ll be good to go.

Chicken Recipes

• Oven Baked Chicken Wings – If you’re looking for hot wings to enjoy during the Superbowl (or virtually any time!), these oven-baked delights are perfect. They’re cooked in a flavorful honey garlic sauce and you won’t be able to stop at just one!
•  Sour Cream Chicken Bake – This creamy and cheesy comfort food combines chicken, cheddar, and a rich sour cream sauce. The result is an indulgent weeknight meal that’ll impress the entire family.
• Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad – If you’re looking for a different take on a classic Caesar salad, this bowtie pasta salad is just the ticket. The crunchy bacon bits pair perfectly with the al dente bowtie pasta for a satisfying lunch that hits the spot!
• Low Carb Chicken Divan – This comforting casserole has a next-level creamy sauce made with chicken, broccoli, cheese, and cauliflower rice. It removes the carbs but doesn’t sacrifice ANY flavor!
• Crockpot Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken – If you’re craving citrus dishes but don’t want to break out the BBQ, this crockpot recipe is ideal. It comes out tender and the rich garlic butter sauce is oh-so-satisfying.

You’ll also like Peach Chicken, Ginger Meatballs, Orange Chicken, Grilled Herb Chicken, and Honey Sriracha Chicken.

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