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Key West Grilled Chicken

Key West chicken with a bright citrus marinade and a glossy Key lime glaze for island grilling. Grilled until charred on the outside and juicy through, then finished with a fresh cilantro and lime garnish.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
marinating 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Caribbean-American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 2 lb chicken pieces
Citrus marinade + glaze
  • 0.25 cup Key lime juice (or regular lime)
  • 0.25 cup orange juice
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 Salt and pepper
Garnish
  • 0.25 cup Fresh cilantro and lime wedges

Equipment

  • 1 grill

Method
 

Mix the citrus marinade
  1. Whisk together Key lime juice, orange juice, olive oil, garlic, honey, cumin, salt, and pepper until evenly combined and glossy.
  2. Check for seasoning and adjust salt and pepper to taste so the marinade is bright and well-balanced.
Marinate
  1. Add chicken pieces to a sealable container and pour marinade over, coating all sides.
  2. Refrigerate to marinate for 2-6 hours, turning the chicken once halfway through, until the surface looks lightly glazed.
Grill
  1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, about 400–450°F, until you get steady heat across the grates.
  2. Place chicken on the grill and cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F, 8–12 minutes per side depending on thickness, with visible char developing.
  3. After reaching 165°F, move chicken to a clean platter and keep it loosely covered so it doesn’t dry out.
Rest and garnish
  1. Rest chicken for 5 minutes so juices redistribute, then slice or serve as pieces.
  2. Garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges, finishing with extra squeeze of citrus right before serving.

Notes

Pro tip: For the best char and juiciness, keep the grill fully preheated and avoid flipping too often—let it sear until you see strong grill marks. Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3-4 days; freeze up to 2 months (reheat gently). For a lighter option, use a sugar-free honey substitute (or reduce honey) while keeping the same lime/orange ratio to maintain the tropical flavor.