Key West Grilled Chicken (Printable version)
Juicy grilled chicken marinated in orange, lime and pineapple with smoked paprika and cilantro.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
→ Tropical Citrus Marinade
02 - 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
03 - 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
04 - 1/4 cup pineapple juice
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 2 tablespoons honey
07 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
08 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
09 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
12 - Zest of 1 lime
13 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
14 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Garnish
15 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
16 - Lime wedges for serving
# How to Make It:
01 - In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the orange juice, lime juice, pineapple juice, olive oil, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, ground cumin, smoked paprika, chili flakes, lime zest, kosher salt, and black pepper until thoroughly combined.
02 - Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is evenly coated on all sides. Seal tightly and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours, or ideally overnight for maximum flavor penetration.
03 - Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, approximately 375°F to 400°F. Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Discard the remaining used marinade.
04 - Place the chicken breasts on the preheated grill. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the exterior develops a golden char with visible grill marks.
05 - Transfer the grilled chicken to a serving platter and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and serve alongside lime wedges.
# Expert tips:
01 -
- The citrus marinade does most of the work for you, turning ordinary chicken into something that tastes like a vacation you did not have to book.
- It is gluten free and dairy free without trying to be, which means everyone at the table can eat without a single awkward question.
02 -
- Do not rush the marinating time because anything under two hours will leave you with chicken that tastes like chicken with a splash of juice rather than something deeply flavored throughout.
- Discard the used marinade rather than basting with it, since it has been in contact with raw poultry and is not safe to reuse.
03 -
- Overnight marinating transforms this from a very good dish into something people will text you about the next day asking for the recipe.
- A meat thermometer is the single tool that stands between perfectly juicy chicken and the dry, sad alternative nobody deserves.