Key West Grilled Chicken (Printer-friendly)

Zesty Key West–style grilled chicken marinated in citrus, garlic and island spices; quick to grill and full of tropical flavor.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 6 oz each

→ Tropical Citrus Marinade

02 - 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
03 - 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 2 tablespoons honey
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
09 - 2 teaspoons soy sauce (use gluten-free if needed)
10 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
11 - 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
14 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

→ For Serving

15 - Fresh lime wedges
16 - Chopped fresh cilantro

# How To Make It:

01 - In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the orange juice, lime juice, lemon juice, olive oil, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, soy sauce, salt, pepper, cumin, smoked paprika, and chopped cilantro until thoroughly combined.
02 - Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight for deeper flavor penetration.
03 - Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, approximately 400°F to 450°F. Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
04 - Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Discard the remaining marinade. Place the chicken on the hot grill and cook for 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F when checked with a meat thermometer.
05 - Transfer the grilled chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Slice or serve whole, garnished with fresh lime wedges and additional chopped cilantro as desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The triple citrus combo of orange, lime, and lemon creates a brightness that makes ordinary grilled chicken taste like a vacation.
  • It is genuinely easy to throw together on a weeknight but impressive enough for a weekend cookout with friends.
02 -
  • Do not skip the resting step because slicing too early sends all those juices onto your cutting board instead of into the chicken.
  • If you marinate longer than 4 hours the citrus can start to break down the meat texture and make it mushy, so overnight is great but do not push past 12 hours.
03 -
  • Reserve a few tablespoons of marinade before adding the chicken so you can brush it on during grilling for extra flavor and shine.
  • Let the chicken sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before grilling so it cooks more evenly from edge to center.

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