Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with our incredible Honey Lime Chicken with Mango Salsa, a recipe that’s not only bursting with tropical flavors but is also surprisingly simple to whip up. This dish is your go-to for a healthy, vibrant dinner that’s perfect for weeknights or entertaining guests.
Key Ingredients for Honey Lime Chicken with Mango Salsa
For the Chicken:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (from about 2-3 limes)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a little heat)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
For the Mango Salsa:
- 2 ripe mangoes, peeled, pitted, and diced
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely minced (adjust to your spice preference)
- Juice of 1/2 lime
- Pinch of salt
How to Make Honey Lime Chicken with Mango Salsa
This Honey Lime Chicken with Mango Salsa is a symphony of sweet, tangy, and fresh flavors, making it an absolute delight to prepare and devour. The chicken is marinated in a zesty honey-lime concoction, then grilled or pan-seared to juicy perfection, creating a succulent base for the vibrant, no-cook mango salsa. This dish takes approximately 30 minutes to prepare and 15-20 minutes to cook, offering a truly satisfying meal without a fuss.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Honey Lime Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, fresh lime juice, olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper. This fragrant marinade is the flavor foundation for your chicken.
Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts or thighs in a resealable bag or a shallow dish. Pour the honey lime marinade over the chicken, ensuring it’s evenly coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for a deeper flavor. If you’re short on time, even 15 minutes will impart a good amount of flavor.
Prepare the Mango Salsa: While the chicken is marinating, prepare the vibrant mango salsa. In a separate bowl, gently combine the diced mangoes, finely chopped red onion, chopped cilantro, minced jalapeño, lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Stir gently to combine all the flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed; you might want a little more lime juice or salt depending on the sweetness of your mangoes. Set aside.
Cook the Chicken:
- Grilling Method: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill grates. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting any excess drip off (discard the marinade). Grill the chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). The honey in the marinade might cause some caramelization, so watch for flare-ups.
- Pan-Searing Method: Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and place in the hot skillet. Sear for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Rest the Chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the grill or skillet and let it rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a tender and moist chicken.
Serve: Slice the rested chicken against the grain. Serve the honey lime chicken generously topped with the fresh mango salsa. This dish is delicious served on its own, over rice, with quinoa, or alongside a fresh green salad.
Why You’ll Love This Honey Lime Chicken with Mango Salsa
You’ll absolutely adore this Honey Lime Chicken with Mango Salsa for its incredible ability to transport your taste buds straight to a tropical paradise with every bite. The star of the show is undoubtedly the succulent chicken, perfectly balanced by the zesty honey-lime marinade that’s both sweet and tangy, creating an irresistible flavor profile. Paired with the refreshing, vibrant mango salsa, this dish offers a delightful textural contrast and a burst of fresh, fruity notes.
Beyond its sensational taste, making this Honey Lime Chicken with Mango Salsa at home is a fantastic way to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal without the hefty price tag. It’s significantly more budget-friendly than takeout or dining out, allowing you to customize ingredients to your liking and serving size. For a similar flavor profile, consider our grilled chicken with avocado salsa, but the sweet, tropical essence of mango salsa truly elevates this dish. Don’t just dream about it – head into your kitchen and whip up this delightful Honey Lime Chicken with Mango Salsa today!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Storing Leftovers:
- Once cooled, store the cooked Honey Lime Chicken and the Mango Salsa separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The chicken will keep for up to 3-4 days, and the salsa is best consumed within 2-3 days for optimal freshness and texture.
Reheating:
- Chicken: Gently reheat the chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water or broth to prevent drying, or in the microwave at 30-second intervals until warmed through. For a more even reheat and slight crisp, you can also place it in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10-15 minutes.
- Salsa: The mango salsa is best served fresh. If you have leftovers, they can be stored in the refrigerator, but the texture may soften over time. It’s generally not recommended to reheat the salsa.
Freezing:
- The cooked chicken can be frozen after it has cooled completely. Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. It will remain good for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. The mango salsa is not ideal for freezing as the mangoes can become mushy.
Final Thoughts
This Honey Lime Chicken with Mango Salsa is a vibrant explosion of sunshine on a plate, offering irresistible flavors and delightful textures. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients can create something truly spectacular, making it a delightful addition to any meal repertoire. Give this recipe a try at home – your taste buds will thank you!
Honey Lime Chicken with Mango Salsa
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, fresh lime juice, olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper. This fragrant marinade is the flavor foundation for your chicken.1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Place the chicken breasts or thighs in a resealable bag or a shallow dish. Pour the honey lime marinade over the chicken, ensuring it’s evenly coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for a deeper flavor. If you’re short on time, even 15 minutes will impart a good amount of flavor.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- While the chicken is marinating, prepare the vibrant mango salsa. In a separate bowl, gently combine the diced mangoes, finely chopped red onion, chopped cilantro, minced jalapeño, lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Stir gently to combine all the flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed; you might want a little more lime juice or salt depending on the sweetness of your mangoes. Set aside.2 ripe mangoes, 1/2 red onion, 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, 1 jalapeño, 1/2 lime juice, pinch salt
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill grates. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting any excess drip off (discard the marinade). Grill the chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). The honey in the marinade might cause some caramelization, so watch for flare-ups.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and place in the hot skillet. Sear for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Once cooked, remove the chicken from the grill or skillet and let it rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a tender and moist chicken.
- Slice the rested chicken against the grain. Serve the honey lime chicken generously topped with the fresh mango salsa. This dish is delicious served on its own, over rice, with quinoa, or alongside a fresh green salad.