Description
Key West Chicken is a vibrant and zesty grilled chicken recipe infused with a tangy marinade made from citrus juices, soy sauce, honey, fresh herbs, and spices. This flavorful dish is perfect for summer grilling and is served with cilantro lime rice and refreshing mango salsa for a complete tropical-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 lime, juiced
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 orange, juiced
- 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
- Lime wedges
- Cilantro rice
- Mango salsa
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: Combine soy sauce, olive oil, honey, lime juice, red wine vinegar, orange juice, crushed garlic, chopped jalapeño, thyme, cilantro, and cumin seed in a food processor or blender. Purée the mixture until smooth to create a flavorful marinade.
- Tenderize the Chicken: Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap. Lightly pound the meat with a meat mallet until it reaches an even thickness; this helps tenderize the chicken and ensures even cooking.
- Marinate the Chicken: Transfer the chicken breasts into a shallow casserole dish or a Ziplock bag. Pour the prepared marinade over the chicken, making sure all pieces are well coated. Refrigerate and allow the chicken to marinate for 1 hour to absorb the flavors.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to 450ºF (232ºC). Remove the chicken from the marinade but do not pat dry. Season the chicken breasts evenly with dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Discard any leftover marinade.
- Grill the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts directly onto the preheated grill grates. Cook for 4–5 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165ºF (74ºC), ensuring the chicken is thoroughly cooked but still juicy.
- Serve: Garnish the grilled chicken with chopped cilantro. Serve alongside cilantro lime rice, lime wedges, and mango salsa for a fresh and tropical meal experience.
Notes
- For best results, marinate the chicken for exactly 1 hour; longer marination can overpower the delicate citrus flavors.
- If you don’t have a grill, you can use a grill pan or broil the chicken in the oven at high heat.
- Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF to guarantee safety and juiciness.
- Adjust the jalapeño amount based on preferred spice level.
- Use fresh herbs for the marinade to maximize flavor intensity.
- Serve with additional lime wedges for extra acidity if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American, Caribbean-inspired
Keywords: Key West Chicken, grilled chicken recipe, citrus chicken marinade, tropical chicken dish, cilantro lime rice, mango salsa, summer grilling
