This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Grilled chicken thighs have never tasted better! This Jalapeño Honey Lime Marinade combines sweet, sour, and a touch of heat for juicy, flavorful chicken that’s perfect for summer BBQs or weeknight dinners.
If you’ve been searching for grilled chicken recipes, look no further.
This recipe was originally posted in June 2017 and has been updated with new photos and additional information to help you make the recipe.
Why I Think You’ll Love This Recipe
- Incredible flavor: The mix of honey, lime, and jalapeño creates a perfectly balanced marinade with sweet, tangy, and spicy notes.
- Quick and simple: The marinade takes just minutes to make, and the chicken cooks in under 20 minutes.
- Perfect for grilling: Whether you’re using a gas grill, charcoal grill, or grill pan, this recipe delivers juicy, tender chicken thighs every time.
Ingredients
- Chicken thighs: Skinless, boneless thighs are tender, flavorful, and quick to cook.
- Jalapeño honey lime marinade: A mix of olive oil, honey, lime juice, minced jalapeño, garlic, and kosher salt for bold, fresh flavor.
Exact quantities are listed below in the recipe card. Note: the recipe card allows you to easily scale the recipe and will automatically adjust the ingredient quantities.
Instructions
Always refer to the recipe card below, but here is a visual summary.
1. Mix the Marinade
In a gallon-size resealable plastic bag, combine olive oil, honey, lime juice, minced jalapeño, crushed garlic, and kosher salt. Seal the bag and squeeze to mix. Taste and adjust the marinade to your liking.
2. Marinate the Chicken
Add the chicken thighs to the bag, seal tightly, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for maximum flavor.
3. Grill the Chicken
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Spray the grill grates with olive oil spray to prevent sticking. You can use a cast iron grill pan or your outdoor BBQ grill, and if you don’t have either, a cast iron pan works great too.
Place the chicken thighs on the grill and cook for 8–10 minutes per side, flipping once, until grill marks form and the internal temperature reads 165°F using an instant-read thermometer.
4. Rest and Serve
Let the chicken rest on a cutting board for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve immediately with your favorite sides.
This meal goes great with Instant Pot Charro Pinto Beans and Cilantro Lime Rice.
Tips for the Best Grilled Chicken
- Use dark meat: Chicken thighs are more forgiving than breasts and stay juicy even if slightly overcooked.
- Don’t skip the marinade: It adds flavor and helps tenderize the meat.
- Check the temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked without drying out.
What to Serve with Grilled Chicken
This grilled chicken pairs beautifully with summery side dishes like Mexican street corn, potato salad, or a simple avocado salad. For a complete meal, add warm tortillas or Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing for dessert!
If you tried this Marinated Grilled Chicken recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Pin this now to save it for later
Pin ItGrilled Chicken Thighs with Jalapeno Honey Lime Marinade
Ingredients
- 2 pounds skinless boneless chicken thighs
- olive oil spray or alternate cooking spray
Chicken marinade:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 large jalapeno stem and seeds removed, minced
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Mix marinade: Using a large resealable gallon-size plastic storage bag, combine all marinade ingredients WITHOUT the chicken. Squeeze the bag to mix well. Taste the marinade and adjust if desired.3 tablespoons olive oil, 3 tablespoons honey, 3 tablespoons lime juice, 1 large jalapeno, 1 teaspoon garlic, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Marinate: Add the 2 pounds skinless boneless chicken thighs to the marinade. Seal the bag and refrigerate for at least an hour up to overnight.
- Cook: Heat the grill over medium-high heat. You can use a cast iron grill pan or your outdoor BBQ grill. Spray the grill with olive oil spray to prevent sticking. Cook for 8-10 minutes on each side. Time will vary, but flip when nice grill marks appear. Cook on second side until cooked through and internal temperature reads 165°F. Take care not to overcook.
- Serve immediately. Garnish with cilantro. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Delish!