Key West Grilled Chicken (Printable Version)
Zesty Key West-style grilled chicken marinated in citrus, garlic, ginger and island spices. Gluten- and dairy-free.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 6 ounces 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 tamari 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 - Additional 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 fully combined.
02 - Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow glass dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, turning each piece to ensure even, thorough coating. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight for deeper flavor penetration.
03 - Preheat an outdoor grill or indoor grill pan to medium-high heat, approximately 400°F. Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
04 - Remove the chicken breasts from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Discard the remaining marinade. Place the chicken on the preheated grill and cook for 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature registers 165°F when measured with an instant-read thermometer.
05 - Transfer the grilled chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Slice against the grain or serve whole, garnished with fresh lime wedges and additional chopped cilantro.
# Helpful Hints:
01 -
- The triple citrus combo of orange, lime, and lemon creates a flavor that punches way above its effort level.
- It is naturally gluten free and dairy free, so you can serve it to almost anyone without a second thought.
02 -
- If your chicken breasts vary in thickness, the thin ends will overcook before the thick centers are done, so pound them even before marinating.
- Do not skip the resting step, because slicing immediately sends all those juices straight onto your cutting board instead of into the meat.
03 -
- Reserve a few tablespoons of marinade before adding the chicken so you can baste during grilling for extra flavor.
- Let the chicken sit at room temperature for about fifteen minutes after marinating and before grilling so it cooks more evenly.