Honey Lime Chicken Mango (Printable)
Zesty grilled chicken with honey lime marinade and refreshing mango salsa, ready in 40 minutes.
# What you'll need:
→ Chicken & Marinade
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 3 tablespoons honey
03 - 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (about 2 limes)
04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
08 - 1 teaspoon salt
09 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
10 - Zest of 1 lime
→ Mango Salsa
11 - 2 ripe mangoes, diced
12 - 1 small red bell pepper, diced
13 - ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
14 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
15 - ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
16 - Juice of 1 lime
17 - ¼ teaspoon salt
# How to make it:
01 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, lime juice, olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and lime zest until fully 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. Seal and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes, or up to 2 hours for more pronounced flavor.
03 - While the chicken marinates, combine the diced mangoes, red bell pepper, red onion, jalapeño (if using), cilantro, lime juice, and salt in a medium bowl. Toss gently, adjust seasoning to taste, and refrigerate until ready to serve.
04 - Preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
05 - Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Grill for 6 to 7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the exterior has developed a nicely charred crust. Transfer to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
06 - Slice the rested chicken and arrange on plates. Spoon the mango salsa generously over the top and serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The honey lime marinade does double duty, caramelizing into a gorgeous crust while keeping the chicken incredibly juicy inside.
- Mango salsa sounds fancy but comes together in ten minutes with zero cooking required.
02 -
- Marinating longer than 2 hours can actually make the chicken mushy because the acid starts breaking down the protein too aggressively.
- Letting the chicken come to room temperature for 15 minutes before grilling gives you a much more even cook.
03 -
- Pat the chicken dry before adding it to the marinade so the flavors actually penetrate instead of sliding off surface moisture.
- The zest is where all the aromatic oils live, so zest your limes before you juice them or you will be fighting a slippery mess.