Description

Key West Chicken is a vibrant, citrus-infused grilled chicken recipe that blends fresh lime and orange juices with aromatic herbs and spices, delivering a juicy, flavorful meal perfect for a summer gathering or a delightful weeknight dinner. Marinated for tenderness and grilled to perfection, this dish is served with cilantro lime rice and refreshing mango salsa for a tropical taste experience.

Ingredients

Scale

Marinade Ingredients

1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
Juice of 1 lime
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Juice of 1 orange
8 cloves garlic, crushed
1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped
2 teaspoons fresh thyme
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon cumin seed

Chicken and Seasoning

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper

For Serving

Chopped cilantro (for garnish)
Lime wedges
Cilantro lime rice
Mango salsa

Instructions

Prepare the marinade: Combine soy sauce, olive oil, honey, lime juice, red wine vinegar, orange juice, crushed garlic, chopped jalapeño, fresh thyme, fresh cilantro, and cumin seed in a food processor or blender. Purée until smooth to create a flavorful citrus-herb marinade.
Tenderize the chicken: Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap. Gently pound with a meat mallet until an even thickness is achieved to ensure even cooking and tender texture.
Marinate the chicken: Place the pounded chicken breasts into a shallow casserole dish or a ziplock bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are coated. Refrigerate and marinate for 1 hour to let the flavors infuse and tenderize the meat.
Preheat the grill: Heat your grill to 450º Fahrenheit. Remove the chicken from the marinade without patting dry, then season both sides evenly with dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Discard any leftover marinade to avoid cross-contamination.
Grill the chicken: Place chicken breasts directly on the hot grill grates. Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165º Fahrenheit for safe consumption and optimal juiciness.
Serve: Garnish the grilled chicken with chopped cilantro. Serve alongside cilantro lime rice, lime wedges, and mango salsa to complete this bright and flavorful meal.

Notes

Marinating time can be extended up to 4 hours for enhanced flavor absorption and tenderness.
Ensure the grill is properly preheated to avoid sticking and achieve nice grill marks.
Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness to avoid overcooking the chicken breasts.
Adjust the heat on the grill as needed to prevent charring while cooking through.
For a milder dish, omit the jalapeño or reduce the amount.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Grilling
Cuisine: American (with Caribbean influence)

Keywords: Key West Chicken, grilled chicken recipes, citrus chicken, marinade chicken, summer chicken dish, tropical chicken recipe, cilantro lime rice, mango salsa