Description
This vibrant Grilled Citrus Chicken recipe features tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts marinated in a zesty blend of olive oil, fresh orange, lemon, and lime juices, garlic, honey, and aromatic spices. Perfectly grilled to juicy perfection with a hint of smokiness, this dish is bright, flavorful, and ideal for a healthy weeknight dinner or outdoor barbecue.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Marinade
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish (Optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Slices of lemon, lime, and orange
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, orange juice, lemon juice, lime juice, soy sauce, minced garlic, honey, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until fully combined to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring every piece is evenly coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 2 to 4 hours, turning occasionally to let flavors penetrate thoroughly.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high temperature, approximately 400°F (200°C). For gas grills, oil the grates well to prevent sticking; for charcoal grills, ensure coals are evenly distributed with a light ash coating for steady heat.
- Grill the Chicken: Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off and discard marinade. Place chicken breasts on the grill and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes per side. Grill until chicken is charred nicely and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C), with time varying slightly depending on thickness.
- Rest the Chicken: Transfer chicken off the grill and let rest for 5 minutes to redistribute the juices, ensuring moist and flavorful results.
- Serve: Garnish grilled chicken with chopped fresh cilantro and serve alongside citrus slices of lemon, lime, and orange for a bright, fresh presentation.
Notes
- For best flavor, marinate chicken for at least 2-4 hours; overnight is also excellent.
- If you don’t have a grill, you can cook the chicken on a grill pan or cast-iron skillet on the stovetop over medium-high heat.
- Adjust the honey amount based on your preferred sweetness level or use maple syrup as a substitute.
- Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) for food safety.
- Use fresh citrus juices for the best vibrant flavor rather than bottled juice.
