Name: Grilled Chili Lime Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons chili powder; 1 teaspoon regular or smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt; 1 tablespoon light brown sugar; 1 tablespoon grated lime zest; 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs; Lime wedges for serving

A homemade chili lime spice rub coats every inch of this juicy grilled chili lime chicken that’s quick to throw together and is always a hit at cookouts.

Everyone needs a quick and easy grilled chicken recipe up their sleeve! Preferably one absolutely packed with flavor, please.

*chili lime chicken enters the chat*.

Y’all, if you grill ONE recipe this summer it has to be this recipe! The spice rub features bold chili spices, lots of fresh lime, and it all soaks into juicy chicken thighs that are grilled to utter perfection.

This grilled chicken is such a good one to pull out when you don’t want to wait hours for a marinade and need dinner on the table asap.

Cause we all know there’s just some nights you can’t mess around in the dinner department and this chicken is perfect for that! The homemade spice rub takes only moments to throw together and the chicken cooks up on the grill in a snap.

This Grilled Chicken features…

A flavorful homemade chili lime spice rub
Juicy grilled chicken thighs
Minutes to make and minimal ingredients needed

Making the Grilled Chicken

(scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe)

Ingredients You Will Need

Chili powder
Paprika
Onion powder
Garlic powder
Cayenne pepper
Kosher salt
Brown sugar
Lime zest
Chicken thighs

Choosing Your Chicken

I recommend using boneless skinless chicken thighs for this recipe. This cut of chicken is fast to cook up on the grill and turns out super tender and juicy every time.

If you don’t have thighs on hand, boneless skinless chicken breasts will work great instead, however, you may need to adjust the cook time slightly if they are thicker breasts. Always use a kitchen thermometer to test the internal temperature of meat and cook until meat reaches 165F.

Tips for Perfect Grilled Chicken

Use grated lime zest for spice rub – fresh lime zest adds so much incredible flavor to the spice rub.
Temp chicken with a kitchen thermometer – again, this is so handy for grilling and ensures you won’t over or undercook your chicken.
Squeeze fresh lime wedges over chicken – once the chicken is cooked, hit it with a little extra fresh lime juice for a little boost of lime flavor!

Recipe Variations

Try these ideas for a different twist on this chicken.

Use a different citrus – try lemon or orange zest in place of the lime.
Adjust heat level – this chicken has a bit of heat to it, but you can easily dial that up or down based on your preference. Skip the cayenne for a mild version or use cayenne and smoked paprika for a spicier flavor.
Grill veggies with chicken – zucchini, asparagus, mushrooms, or sweet peppers grill up great alongside this chicken. Toss the vegetables with a little olive oil + a few shakes of the chili lime seasoning mix and grill in a grill basket or on tin foil until tender.

Stovetop and Oven Instructions

Don’t have a grill? You can make this recipe on the stovetop or in the oven instead!

Stovetop: Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet (or brush over a large cast iron grill pan) Once pan is hot, add chicken and sear on both sides until chicken registers 165F. Note: if you are using a thicker cut of chicken, such as a chicken breast, we recommend searing chicken on both sides, then finish cooking in a 400F oven 5-10 minutes.

Oven: Arrange chicken in a single layer on a greased sheet pan. Bake chicken at 400F 20-25 minutes until chicken registers 165F. Optionally, broil chicken 1 inch from heat 2-3 minutes to crisp up the outside.

Consider your grilling game improved for the better! Every inch of these juicy grilled chicken thighs are coated in flavorful chili spices and lots of fresh lime for an absolute flavor bomb of a meal.

Don’t even get me started on the leftovers. Next day’s lunch salad or wrap ain’t gonna know what hit it.

Save this recipe using the ‘save to recipe box’ button below. If you make it, please let us know! Leave a comment + star rating below, or take a photo and tag it on Instagram with #wholeandheavenlyoven.

Watch this chicken made step-by-step on Google web stories.

More grilled chicken recipes to try next!

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