Honey Lime Pan-Roasted Chicken
on Jun 17, 2025
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Honey Lime Chicken is an easy, delicious weeknight meal that the whole family will go wild over. This one-pot chicken recipe hits all the right notes—sweet honey, tangy lime, a touch of soy sauce, and olive oil for that perfect sear. It’s got everything you want: simple ingredients, delicious flavor, and juicy chicken—all without stress.
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We’re talking honey lime chicken marinade, tangy lime, lime zest, fresh lime juice, chili powder, and even a hit of maple syrup if you want to shake things up.
Want to know why this is one of our favorite chicken recipes? It works with boneless chicken breasts, boneless skinless chicken thighs, bone‑in chicken thighs, or even leg quarters—whatever cut of meat you’ve got on hand.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Honey Lime Chicken
- Flexible cuts: White meat or dark meat, it all works.
- Quick cooking time: Just 20 minutes cook time, plus 12 minutes prep.
- Meal prep magic: Great for a meals prep-friendly double batch.
- Air-fryer & sheet-pan options: I’ve got both covered below.
Good to Know
- Nutrition info: Each serving has about 325 calories, 24g fat, 19g protein, and 9g carbs. Great for tracking macros—especially if you’re meal prepping!
- Storage & reheating: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for best results—saucy and juicy every time.
- Choice & safety of cuts: Dark meat (thighs) stays tender, white meat (breasts) works great too—just watch your times. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature.
- Make it spicy: Stir in a pinch of chili flakes or a squirt of hot honey to kick it up a notch.
- Meal prep win: Double the batch, store in a ziplock bag, ready for tomorrow’s weeknight dinner or lunch bowl.
- Air-fryer bonus: Crispy outside, juicy inside—and less oil than pan frying.
- Affiliate links: Kitchen tools like your go-to skillet or thermometer can be found below—just FYI!
If you love bold, citrusy chicken dishes, this honey lime chicken is a must-try. It brings the same bright, savory-sweet balance as our lemon rosemary chicken recipe, with a sticky honey-lime glaze that caramelizes right in the pan.
Perfect for weeknight dinners, this dish pairs well with rice, tacos, or even a salad. For more easy chicken ideas, check out our family-favorite honey soy chicken drumsticks or creamy Campbell’s chicken and rice casserole with cream of chicken soup—great options for rotating into your meal plan.
Swap It Up: Variations to Try
| Variation | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Dark meat feast | Use bone-in chicken thighs and add 5–7 extra minutes cook time. Dark meat soaks up flavor! |
| White meat | Use boneless chicken breast; be careful not to overcook—14–18 mins is plenty. |
| Spice lovers | Add chili powder, cumin, garlic powders, or a dash of hot honey. |
| Meal prep | Slice leftovers and top leafy greens or rice bowls for a quick lunch. |
| Make it sweet-savory | Use part honey, part maple syrup in the marinade for a richer flavor. |
Ingredients for Honey Lime Chicken
Here’s what you’ll need to pull together this easy chicken recipe. All of these are pantry staples or easy to find at the store. You’ll find the exact measurements in the printable recipe card below.
- Chicken thighs – I like using bone-in chicken thighs with the skin on for the best flavor and that crispy finish in the skillet. That said, this works great with boneless chicken thighs, boneless skinless chicken thighs, or even chicken breasts if you’re going for leaner white meat. Just adjust cooking time accordingly and make sure the internal temperature hits 165°F for white meat or 180°F for dark meat.
- Olive oil – Helps brown the chicken beautifully in your cast-iron skillet or grill pan. You can also sub avocado oil or vegetable oil based on what you have.
- Fresh lime juice & zest – This is what gives the dish that tangy lime kick. Don’t skip the zest—it adds serious delicious flavor.
- Sweet honey – For that sticky, slightly caramelized glaze that clings to the chicken. It’s the perfect partner to the lime.
- Soy sauce – Adds just enough saltiness and umami to balance the sweet and tangy. A must for that perfect balance of flavors.
- Salt & pepper – Season generously! These basic seasonings help every other flavor shine.
- Green onions – For a fresh pop of color and bite. Great as garnish or tossed in during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Optional add-ins – Try a pinch of chili powder, garlic powders, or a drizzle of hot honey for some heat. Want to go bolder? Sub a bit of the honey for maple syrup or try a smoky chili lime twist.
Recipe Tip
Dark meat, such as chicken thighs, is safe to eat at 165°F, but for the best texture and flavor, it’s better to cook it closer to 180°F. That extra time helps soften the connective tissue, so the meat turns out tender instead of tough.
🥘 How to Make Honey Lime Chicken
(See the full recipe in the recipe card below.)
Prep the Ingredients
- Start by zesting and juicing your limes into a small bowl.
- Next, mix in sweet honey and soy sauce to create the base of your honey lime chicken marinade. Set that aside—this sauce goes into the pan later, not on the raw chicken.
Get the Chicken Ready
- Pat the chicken dry using a wad of paper towels and trim off any excess skin if using bone-in chicken thighs or leg quarters. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. If you’re using chicken breasts, it helps to pound them to an even thickness so they cook evenly.
Sear in the Skillet
- Heat olive oil (or vegetable oil) in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- Place the chicken skin-side down and let it sear for about 4–5 minutes, or until it develops a deep golden-brown crust. This step builds flavor, so don’t rush it.
Add the Sauce and Simmer
- Flip the chicken so the browned side faces up.
- Pour the honey lime sauce directly into the pan, reduce to lower heat, cover, and let it simmer gently for 10–15 minutes (depending on the cut of meat) until the internal temperature reaches 165°F for white meat or 180°F for dark meat like honey lime chicken thighs.
Let it Rest
Once done, transfer the honey lime chicken to a plate or leave it in the pan and tent it with aluminum foil. Let it rest for a couple of minutes to lock in the juices—this is the key to tender chicken.
Garnish and Serve
Drizzle the remaining delicious sauce over the top, then garnish with lime wedges and chopped green onions. Serve over cilantro lime rice, a simple bowl of rice, or pair with your favorite side dishes. It’s a big hit every time!
🔄 Alternative Cooking Methods
Want to switch things up? This honey lime chicken recipe works just as well in the air fryer or on a sheet pan. Here’s how:
Air Fryer Honey Lime Chicken
This is a great way to get crispy, juicy chicken fast—without the extra oil. Works well with boneless chicken thighs, chicken breasts, or even honey lime chicken wings.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F.
- Pat chicken dry, season with salt and pepper, and lightly spray with oil.
- Place chicken in a single layer and cook for 10–15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- During the last few minutes, brush with the warm honey lime chicken marinade or drizzle it on right after cooking.
- Check the internal temperature—165°F for breasts, 180°F for thighs.
Honey Lime Chicken in the Air Fryer is perfect for quick weeknight dinners, tacos, or meal prep bowls!
Try This: Works great for honey lime chicken wings, too.
Sheet Pan Honey Lime Chicken
If you’re wondering if you can bake honey lime chicken instead of pan roasting it, the answer is yes! This hands-off option is ideal for a double batch or easy meal prep.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil.
- Arrange seasoned chicken on the pan, skin-side up if using thighs.
- Spoon the honey lime sauce over the top and roast for about 25–30 minutes, depending on the cut of meat.
- For caramelized edges, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end.
- Let the chicken rest before serving.
Try This: Make a double batch and store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove top, in the air fryer, or even the microwave if you’re in a pinch. Serve over a bowl of rice, toss in salads, or slice into wraps.
This oven version of honey lime chicken also goes great with roasted veggies, or layered into a honey lime chicken and avocado rice stack for a fun meal idea.
What to Serve with This
Some of our favorite side dishes that go with honey lime chicken include:
Recipe Questions and Answers
Yes! This works with boneless chicken breast or skinless chicken breast, too. Just pound them to an even thickness for quick, even cooking. Keep an eye on the internal temperature—you’re looking for 165°F for juicy chicken without drying it out.
Absolutely. This honey lime chicken makes a great meal prep option. Make a double batch and store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove top, in the air fryer, or even the microwave if you’re in a pinch. Serve over a bowl of rice, toss in salads, or slice into wraps.
Glad you asked—this is one of those fun chicken breast recipes that keeps on giving:
- Shred it for honey lime chicken enchiladas from scratch, or an easy Lipton noodle soup recipe.
- Slice it into a chicken and rice casserole recipe
- Serve over lettuce wraps with slaw for a low-carb meal
- Use in tacos, bowls, or with a cilantro-lime dipping sauce
- Make a spicy version with sriracha honey lime chicken vibes.
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Honey Lime Pan Roasted Chicken
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Ingredients
- 2 Limes
- 3 tbsp Honey
- 1 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 8 Chicken Thighs, Bone-in and Skin-on. May use 4 Leg Quarters.
- 1 tsp Course Salt
- 1/2 tsp Pepper
- 3 tbsp Olive Oil
- 2 Green Onions, Chopped
- Lime slices, optional garnish
Instructions
- Zest 2 Limes, and place Zest in small bowl. Then slice Limes in half and squeeze juice, pouring it into bowl. Add Honey and Soy Sauce, and stir together.
- Pat Chicken dry with paper towel and trim extra skin, then Sprinkle Salt and Pepper over both sides of Chicken.
- In 10-12-inch heavy skillet, heat Olive Oil over medium-high heat for 1-2 minute. Add chicken, skin side down, and cook for about 5 minutes, until the skin side is dark golden brown. Keep loose from bottom of pan.
- Chop Green Onions and slice Lime, for garnish.
- Turn Chicken over so cooked sides are up, and pour honey-lime mixture over Chicken. Reduce heat to low, and cover. Cook 14 to 18 minutes, until done, and internal temperature reaches 180° F.
- Transfer chicken to plates, and drizzle with pan juices. Garnish with chopped Green Onions and Lime slices. Serve hot, with your favorite side dishes. Enjoy!
Notes
- Sear the chicken first in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat to lock in juices and create rich, delicious flavor.
- Pour the honey lime chicken marinade directly into the pan after searing to coat the chicken in a warm, sweet and tangy glaze as it cooks.
- Use a thermometer to check that chicken breasts reach 165°F and honey lime chicken thighs hit 180°F for perfectly juicy chicken.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Oh my word!!!
Just the right recipe for a birthday coming, but wonder if I can use chicken tenders?
Hi there!
Yes, you can absolutely use chicken tenders for this honey lime recipe—just keep a close eye on the cook time since tenders cook faster than thighs or breasts. A quick sear on each side (about 2–3 minutes) and a shorter simmer should do the trick. And we love the idea of serving it for a birthday—great choice! 🎉 Let us know how it turns out!
– Dan & Scott