The absolute best grilled chicken we’ve ever had is our sticky honey lime grilled chicken. It’s honey, lime juice, seasonings and chicken thighs!
Sometimes a recipe happens that is so darned delicious you all just plant it at the table and gobble it down in almost complete silence. I say almost because we have children and I am convinced that silence doesn’t exist anymore. Though I know that one day I am going to desperately miss these noises. Anyway, I let our littlest pick dinner and when she said hot dogs (which I’m normally all over, I mean just look at our J-Dawgs copycat, sonoran hot dog and more.) on the grill I knew the hubs was going to want chicken. And sticky honey lime grilled chicken is what he got.
What Cut of Chicken is Best for Grilling?
Normally I wouldn’t have made a second recipe, but I had defrosted the chicken thighs (because chicken thighs are like the juiciest ever!) that morning and then all day the girls played so darn well together that I decided to let one pick dinner just for fun. I even hinted at chicken, but hot dogs were on her brain so I whipped up both and she was thrilled.
Ultimately you could use chicken breasts or chicken thighs but we’ve found that the best cut of chicken for grilling is the chicken thigh which happens to be more forgiving with overcooking as well.
Video on How to Make Grilled Chicken Thighs
Check out our video on exactly how to make this delicious chicken!
How to Make Sticky Honey Lime Grilled Chicken
The chicken was really easy to make too. Just a little spice rub all over the meat with a little oil (you can use canola or olive oil) to keep it from sticking then, grilled until almost done.
Meanwhile I heated a little honey, lime juice and vinegar over the stove and let it cool while I cooked the meat. All that was left was basting with half the sauce and using the rest to dunk the birds in once they were done.
It was finger lickin’, lip smackin’ good. Like really, you need to make this sticky honey lime grilled chicken.
Are Chicken Thighs Healthy?
Chicken is always a good source of protein, but because thighs have dark meat you’re looking at up to 3 times the amount of fat. It’s still a great option for dinner so don’t write it off completely.
How Long Does it Take to Cook Chicken Thighs with a Bone?
Bone in chicken thighs can take 30-60 minutes to cook in an oven, especially the latter if there is skin on the meat. Your best bet is to use an instant read thermometer. This Thermopro is our personal favorite since we’ve gone through so many horrible ones. And it’s only $10!
Wait until the sticky honey lime grilled chicken or any other recipe for bone in thighs reaches 165 degrees.
How Long does it Take to Cook Chicken Thighs with a Bone on the Grill?
Heat a grill to medium heat and cook for ten minutes, turn over and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
How Long Does it Take to Cook Boneless Chicken Thighs on the Grill?
Boneless chicken thighs take less time to cook on a gas grill. Place the chicken on for 4-5 minutes, flip and cook for another 4-6 minutes or until 165 degrees.
Sticky Honey Lime Grilled Chicken
Sticky Honey Lime Grilled Chicken
Ingredients
- 8 chicken thighs, boneless
- oil
for the sauce
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup of honey
for the rub
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Heat the grill to medium high heat.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the lime juice, honey and vinegar together, bring to a simmer and then remove from the burner to cool.
- Rub a little oil (we use grapeseed but you can use anything) all over the chicken then mix the seasonings together in a small bowl and rub all over the chicken.
- Place on the grill for 3-5 minutes, flip over and begin to baste with half of the sauce mixture.
- Allow to cook for another 4-6 minutes.
- Flip the chicken and baste the other side right before removing from the grill, and allow to cook for another minute.
- Take the meat off of the grill and dip each piece in the remaining sauce then serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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Jim
Just found this recipe almost 10 years after it was originally posted. Saved it and can’t wait to try it. I love the one comment that said she made it into skewers with some peppers. Can’t wait to try that one too!!
Sweet Basil
Yay! Welcome! Thanks Jim! I hope you love this recipe as much as we do!
Jounayet Rahman
Excellent recipe. Absolutely delicious! Thank you!
Sweet Basil
Yay! Thank you so much!
Kelly
So thankful that I found your site I just had surgery February 2022. I’ve already lost 43 lbs,I have had a very difficult time with eating,but I hope I will be able to eat some of these yummy looking recipes soon. I have Gastroperisis and my body is having a difficult time with eating foods that I’m not accustomed to eating. My normal diet for the past five years has been low fiber, low residue so this has been a challenge for me. I chose to do this to get my life back and to be able to play with my grandson. My other alternative was getting a colostomy I’m not ready for that . By the grace of God and my Faith he will heal me from this horrible disease and all this is going to continue to face this one day at a time. 🙏🏼
Sweet Basil
Bless your heart Kelly! I have a friend that suffers from gastroparesis and it is truly a horrible disease! I hope your body finds healing and you can start to eat more normally soon. I appreciate your support so much! Xoxo!
sally
Absolutely delicious! Thank you! I did have a quick question… Do you have the nutritional info on this??? If not, it’s ok. I was curious 🙂 TIA!
Dennis Dyson
I cooked this recipe on my Green Egg this week and it was awesome!!! The family loved it. Definitely am planning to do this again one weekend with friends.
Sweet Basil
Oh I’ve been wondering about that Green Egg!! Totally worth the buy?
Dennis Dyson
I’ve had mine 3yrs. and totally enjoy it and recommend it to anyone who loves to grill and smoke foods. GO to their web page and check them out. Well worth the investment.
Sweet Basil
Awesome! We are checking it out tonight!
Shelley
We had high winds last weekend with power outages, meaning no heat either, so I made this on the grill. It seems to taste better under those circumstances than it did over the summer!! Family bragged around about how well they ate with no power. We have been asked to share the recipe. Our windy power outage weather isn’t over yet.
Sweet Basil
Oh my goodness! Where do you live?!
Kaye
We made your recipe tonight. 5 stars!!! : )
Sweet Basil
Thank you so much Kaye!
Kristi
I cook all of the time and am always looking for something new to try. This was a hit and I love things that go on the grill. The less clean up the better.
Simple and yummy, thanks.
Sweet Basil
So glad to hear that. Thank you!
Kim
I have never commented on a recipe before, but this was the best grilled chicken ever.
Sweet Basil
Kim, thank you so much for taking the time to comment! I just made this chicken the other night and I’m so thrilled to hear someone else loved it too!
Michelle
we made this for dinner tonight, YUM! It was a team effort, I prepped the chicken and made the sauce and my hubby grilled, basted and dunked. He ate 3 pieces! It was a family hit, my kids called it candy chicken. Thanks for the recipe.
Sweet Basil
I love it when it’s a team effort! I’m so, so glad you all enjoyed them!
Katie
I made this as kabobs with sweet onion ,yellow pepper, orange pepper and pineapple. Soooo good!!!
Sweet Basil
Why in the world haven’t I done that?! Thank you for the idea!
Duane
Home run recipe. Loved it! Thanks for sharing and the write up. This is going in my keepers list.
Sweet Basil
Duane, I’m so thrilled! Thank you for taking the time to come back and leave such a nice comment.
Amanda
Because my husband works late & has nearly not enough time to start up the bbq pit, is it at all possible to try this recipe in the oven?
Sweet Basil
Oh, totally! In fact, you can do it stove top! Just use a grill pan or saute pan with the same instructions. 🙂
cheryl
Definitely will be a tasty, easy disg for anything. Served with baked .
potatoes, regular or twice baked! Plus corn on cob, of course.
THEN, if you have any leftovers the lemon and spice flavors will marry very nice with BBQ sauce to make Pulled Chicken sandwiches. Even easier because you’re using cooked cooked chicken and only have to add the BBQ sauce!
Rona Berry-Morin
I’m so glad I stopped by today. The Sticky Honey Lime Grilled Chicken has just been added to my recipe box!
Sweet Basil
we are so glad too! Thanks!
Deb
Made this chicken for company yesterday (using chicken breast b/c it was all I had) and it was DELICIOUS! Super easy to prepare and full of flavor. The chicken stayed moist and I can’t wait for the leftovers 🙂
Sweet Basil
Hooray!!! That makes us so happy!
Jo
Did you use bone in or boneless chicken thighs?
Sweet Basil
Boneless. I will add that asap!
deb
When you just read the recipe it appears that you only have to cook the chicken 8 minutes total. It clearly states in the blog that you grilled them til almost done, but someone looking at just the recipe (and is new to grilling) might end up with a really raw chicken dinner.
Sweet Basil
Chicken thighs generally take only 8-12 minutes depending on thickness plus the grill is quite hot. 🙂
Linda Rand
Delicious! Making it again very soon!!!Goes great with the Strawberry Salad with Brown Sugar Almonds, which is also delish!!!!! Thank you Cariann!
Sweet Basil
Oh, that salad is like my favorite in all the land. Thank you so much!
Jo
YUM! What did you serve this with? I’m taking my thighs out of the freezer to defrost now!
Sweet Basil
Thanks Jo! We served it with salad and grilled sweet potatoes. 🙂
Kevin @ Closet Cooking
This chicken sounds so tasty!
Sweet Basil
Thanks Kev!
Sarah @ SnixyKitchen
I agree – thighs are the best and juiciest cut! These sound like the perfect summer grill-out dish – adding it to the menu for when the hubs gets back!
Sweet Basil
Totally!! And I hope we cross paths again soon! It would be so fun to hang out again!
Amy @ The Blond Cook
This chicken looks soooo delicious! Love the combination of the lime, vinegar & honey. Pinned!
Sweet Basil
Hope you like it!
Matt Robinson
Love the flavors and ease of this recipe. Totally agree with you about the thighs, perfect choice!
Sweet Basil
Thanks Matt! And we were all just talking about your recipes this weekend, they are awesome!
Gaby
Love this flavor combo for the grill!