introduction
This Key West Grilled Chicken with Tropical Citrus Marinade is bright, fresh, and easy to make. The chicken soaks up lime, orange, and lemon for a sweet and tangy taste. If you like citrus chicken ideas, try this lemon garlic chicken sheet pan for a different one-pan meal.
why make this recipe
Make this recipe when you want flavors that feel light and sunny. The citrus keeps the chicken juicy. The spices add a warm, mild flavor. It is fast to grill and good for weeknights or a weekend cookout.
how to make Key West Grilled Chicken with Tropical Citrus Marinade
- Mix the lime juice, orange juice, lemon juice, soy sauce, olive oil, honey, minced garlic, ground cumin, ground coriander, salt, black pepper, lime zest, and orange zest in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth.
- Put the chicken breasts in a large resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken and make sure each piece is coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and chill for at least 2 hours or overnight. You can also explore a different spice style with this chicken kofta with creamy garlic yogurt sauce.
- Heat your outdoor grill to medium-high and oil the grates lightly.
- Remove chicken from the marinade and shake off excess. Throw away the leftover marinade.
- Grill the chicken 6–7 minutes per side, or until it reaches 165°F (75°C) and has grill marks.
- Let the chicken rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh cilantro.
Ingredients :
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Zest of 1 lime
- Zest of 1 orange
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Directions :
- In a medium bowl, combine the lime juice, orange juice, lemon juice, soy sauce, olive oil, honey, minced garlic, ground cumin, ground coriander, salt, black pepper, lime zest, and orange zest. Whisk together until well blended to form the marinade.
- Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the tropical citrus marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.
- Preheat your outdoor grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and shake off any excess. Discard the remaining marinade.
- Place the chicken breasts on the preheated grill. Cook for 6-7 minutes on each side, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and has nice grill marks.
- Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with your favorite side dishes.
how to serve Key West Grilled Chicken with Tropical Citrus Marinade
Serve the chicken hot with simple sides. It goes well with rice, salad, or vegetables. For a cozy plate, pair it with buttered noodles and steamed greens, like in this chicken with buttered noodles idea. Garnish with extra lime slices and fresh cilantro.
how to store Key West Grilled Chicken with Tropical Citrus Marinade
Cool the chicken to room temperature, then place it in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. For longer storage, freeze cooked chicken for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating. Reheat gently to keep the meat moist.
tips to make Key West Grilled Chicken with Tropical Citrus Marinade
- Marinate longer (up to overnight) for more flavor.
- Pat chicken dry before grilling for better grill marks.
- Use a meat thermometer to check for 165°F (75°C).
- Oil the grill grates to stop sticking.
- For more grilled chicken ideas, try a smoky twist like in this chipotle ranch grilled chicken burrito recipe.
variation (if any)
- Use boneless skinless thighs instead of breasts for a richer taste.
- Add a splash of pineapple juice for extra tropical sweetness.
- Swap honey for brown sugar if you want a deeper caramel note.
- Grill vegetables with the chicken for a one-grill meal.
FAQs
Q: Can I use frozen chicken?
A: Yes. Thaw fully in the fridge before marinating so the flavors soak in.
Q: Can I bake this instead of grilling?
A: Yes. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes or until the internal temp reaches 165°F (75°C).
Q: Is it safe to reuse the marinade as a sauce?
A: No. Do not reuse raw marinade unless you boil it first to kill bacteria.
Q: How long can I marinate the chicken?
A: Marinate at least 2 hours. Up to 24 hours is fine, but acids can change texture if left longer.
Conclusion
This Key West Grilled Chicken with Tropical Citrus Marinade gives you bright, juicy chicken with simple steps. For a classic version and extra tips, see the Key West Chicken Recipe, and for an alternate marinade take on this dish, read Key West Chicken Marinade – My Homemade Roots.
Key West Grilled Chicken with Tropical Citrus Marinade
Ingredients
For the Marinade
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice Freshly squeezed for best flavor.
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice Freshly squeezed for best flavor.
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice Freshly squeezed for best flavor.
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lime zest Zest of 1 lime.
- 1 tablespoon orange zest Zest of 1 orange.
For the Chicken
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Fresh cilantro to taste for garnish Chopped for garnishing.
Instructions
Preparation
- In a medium bowl, combine the lime juice, orange juice, lemon juice, soy sauce, olive oil, honey, minced garlic, ground cumin, ground coriander, salt, black pepper, lime zest, and orange zest. Whisk together until well blended to form the marinade.
- Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the tropical citrus marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.
Grilling
- Preheat your outdoor grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and shake off any excess. Discard the remaining marinade.
- Place the chicken breasts on the preheated grill. Cook for 6-7 minutes on each side, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and has nice grill marks.
- Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serving
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with your favorite side dishes such as rice, salad, or vegetables.
