A simple glaze of honey, soy sauce, and fresh lime juice makes this 20-minute honey lime chicken easy to make. This chicken dish is great for busy weeknights because it has the right amount of sweet and sour flavors that the whole family will love.
Many people like to change the taste and texture of chicken by marinating it in lime juice before cooking. But what happens when those fresh citrus juices get into the chicken? Let’s look into the science and effects of this simple marinade.
Lime Juice Tenderizes the Chicken
Lime juice naturally makes meat tender because it is acidic. It helps the tough collagen proteins in the chicken turn into soft gelatin. The acid also breaks down the protein molecules on the meat’s surface, which lets it soak up more marinade for more flavor.
Studies have shown that putting chicken in an acidic mixture for only 30 minutes can make it much more tender. Marinating overnight provides the most tenderizing power. The acids can soften the fibers of the chicken more deeply and for a longer time if it marinates.
Lime Infuses Bright, Citrusy Flavor
In addition to tenderizing, lime juice also infuses the chicken with tangy, refreshing flavor as it marinates. The acids help break down muscle fibers allowing the juicy citrus notes to penetrate deeply.
Compounds like limonene in lime juice provide strong citrusy aroma. These flavors move into the meat and get stuck in the proteins as the chicken sits. The result is chicken bursting with zesty lime flavor.
Lime Juice Helps Keep Chicken Moist
Marinating in lime juice enhances moisture retention during cooking through a couple mechanisms:
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It denatures surface proteins, allowing better moisture retention.
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It creates gelatin by breaking down connective tissues, which is filled with moisture.
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It allows the chicken to absorb more flavorful marinade, adding extra juiciness.
Chicken marinated in lime juice has been shown to lose around 25% less moisture during baking compared to unmarinated chicken.
Lime Juice Has Antimicrobial Effects
While proper handling is still essential, lime juice marinade can help reduce bacteria like Salmonella on the raw chicken. The acids help kill microbes on the surface, while compounds like limonene have antibacterial properties.
However, it’s still vital to follow food safety guidelines like refrigeration and cooking chicken to 165°F. Lime juice marinade supports but does not replace proper food handling.
Use a 1:4 Lime Juice to Chicken Ratio
For best results, use a ratio of about 1/4 cup lime juice per 1 pound of chicken. This ensures enough acidity to properly tenderize and infuse flavor. Too much lime juice can make the meat too acidic tasting.
Marinate for at Least 2 Hours
To get the full benefits, marinate chicken in lime juice for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator. Overnight is ideal, but even just 30 minutes makes a noticeable difference compared to no marinade.
No Need to Rinse Afterwards
You don’t need to rinse off the lime juice before cooking. Leaving the marinade on provides added flavor and moisture. The only exception is if you want crispy skin, in which case rinsing can help promote browning.
Works Best With Grilling, Broiling, Roasting
Marinated lime chicken excels with quick, high-heat cooking methods like grilling, broiling, and roasting. The short cook times help seal in moisture and flavor. Poaching and baking also work well.
Easy to Adapt With Other Ingredients
Lime juice pairs perfectly with herbs, spices, oils, garlic, and more. Get creative with the marinade flavors! Just maintain a good lime juice to chicken ratio for proper tenderizing effects.
Marinating chicken in zesty lime juice is an easy hack to take your chicken to new heights. With its tenderizing power, moisture retention, and bright flavors, it’s no wonder this has become such a ubiquitous technique. Give it a try – we bet this will become a regular go-to in your cooking arsenal. Say hello to juicy, lime-infused chicken any night of the week.
Bone-In Vs. Boneless Chicken
As always, I love using boneless chicken thighs (check out my video on how to debone chicken thighs). The result is that glossy, perfectly charred skin, and the meat stays juicy and tender. You can also use bone-in chicken thighs if that’s what you prefer.
No matter which cut you choose, this dish works all year round. It’s always tasty whether you bake it in the oven, grill it, or cook it in a skillet or cast-iron pan.
This recipe is super versatile! You can bake the chicken in the oven, or if you’re in a hurry, just cook it on the stovetop. Personally, I love oven-baked because I’m all about that crispy, charred skin—just like you see in the pictures.
A skillet is great if you want to get it done faster, though, and you won’t have to wait long to enjoy this tasty chicken!
- Chicken thighs—I use boneless thigh fillets because we’re not marinating the chicken like most people do; instead, we’re baking it in the marinade. If you’d rather have white meat, you can make this into honey lime chicken breasts.
- Lime juice – always use freshly squeezed lime juice!
- Honey
- Soy sauce
- There is no such thing as too much garlic. You can rub it into the fillets and add more garlic to the marinade to make it taste even better.
Please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for full details on each ingredient.
Here are some lime-packed variations for you to try:
- Cilantro Lime Chicken: If you like the taste of fresh herbs, marinating your chicken with cilantro will change everything.
- Do you want to add some heat and smoke to your Chipotle Lime Chicken? Add some chipotle chili powder. It still tastes like lime, but now it has a strong, smoky kick.
- Tequila Lime Chicken: If you want to try something new, add a little tequila to the marinade. It makes the taste stronger and adds a nice, sour kick to the lime with a touch of sweetness.
- Chili Lime Grilled Chicken: Heat up the grill and mix chili powder into the fish sauce. It tastes better with a little more heat and that smoky char from the grill.
How To Make Honey Lime Chicken
This honey lime chicken recipe comes together so quickly since the baking time also doubles as marinating time. As it bakes, the sauce reduces and turns into an intensely flavorful glaze. I usually double the marinade because it’s just so delicious when drizzled over rice or veggies!.
Broiling the chicken is optional, but I highly recommend it. For that perfect, crunchy chicken skin! I also like to add a little heat to my honey lime chicken, so I add some extra chili flakes. If you prefer it mild, just leave them out!.
Alright, first things first—preheat your oven to 400°F (207°C). Now, grab your chicken thighs and rub the minced garlic all over them with your hands. Get it nice and coated. Then, drizzle on the honey, soy sauce, lime juice, cayenne pepper, and salt. Mix it all together until the chicken’s well coated in that flavorful goodness. Transfer the chicken and marinade onto a baking sheet lined with some aluminum foil (for easy cleanup!). Loosely cover the chicken with a bit more foil to keep it from burning while it bakes.
Pro tip: If you like a bit more sauce to drizzle over your rice or veggies, double up on the marinade. You won’t regret it!
Pop the chicken in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until it’s fully cooked through. If you notice the sauce pooling at the bottom of the foil, just spoon some of it and brush it over the chicken to keep that flavor going. Once it’s done, throw it under the broiler for about 1 minute to get that crispy, charred skin (trust me, it’s worth it!). When you take it out, sprinkle some fresh parsley on top, then squeeze those lime wedges over the chicken to add that extra zing before serving.
Does marinating do anything?
FAQ
Is it okay to marinate chicken in lime juice?
The Lime Marinade makes the chicken juicy on the inside and injects with flavour so you won’t need a sauce with it. And before you serve the chicken, let it rest for a few minutes. Some of the juices will rise to the top, as you can see below. As for what to serve on the side, here are a few suggestions!.
What happens when you soak chicken in lime juice?
The marinade keeps the meat so juicy and tender, almost as if it tenderizes the meat with the lime juice while it’s marinating.
Can you marinate meat in lime juice?
Fresh lime juice, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic make this marinade. Use it on your favorite steaks at your next barbecue to add a Mexican touch. Give your favorite steaks a Mexican twist with this marinade of fresh lime juice, brown sugar, Worcestershire and garlic at your next barbecue.
How should I marinate chicken in lime juice?
Add 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of oil, fajita seasoning, and diced jalapeno to lime juice and let it sit at room temperature for an hour. Mix well and cover the chicken.
How do you marinate cilantro lime chicken?
To marinate chicken with a cilantro lime marinade, add the marinade ingredients to a large zip-top bag and place the chicken inside to marinate. Once the chicken has marinated, pre-heat the grill to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken until cooked through, making sure to flip halfway through. Garnish with lime wedges and additional cilantro before serving.
How long does it take to marinate chicken?
So, follow the recipe timing carefully. Generally speaking, according to Food Network, chicken should be marinated anywhere from two hours for a citrus marinade to overnight for less acidic mixtures. According to What’s Cooking America, fish fillets and shrimp only need 15 to 30 minutes in a marinade, and scallops about five minutes.
What happens if you leave meat in citrus juice too long?
Wrong. If you leave food, especially more tender meats like chicken, turkey, seafood, and shellfish in citrus juices too long the exterior will get mushy, according to America’s Test Kitchen. Citric acid is a powerful tenderizer. Over time, it will really break down the fibers in the outside layer of the meat and the texture will be ruined.
Can you use citric acid to tenderize chicken?
Citric acid is a powerful tenderizer. Over time, it will really break down the fibers in the outside layer of the meat and the texture will be ruined. You do not want to eat chicken with a mushy exterior and dry interior. Mistake everyone makes with their marinade include marinating longer, which will not tenderize the meat all the way through.
What fruits can you marinate with citrus?
Lemon herb shrimp, made with thyme and oregano, is delicious over rice. And citrus-marinated grilled salmon with tabbouleh salad is perfect for entertaining. All citrus fruits — lemons, grapefruit, oranges, and limes — are perfect for marinating, but here is the biggest mistake to avoid when marinating with citrus.