Description
This Easy Chili Lime Chicken recipe combines tender baked chicken breasts or thighs with a vibrant, spicy-sweet chili lime sauce. Infused with smoky paprika, cumin, and fresh herbs, the dish is perfect served over steamed rice and naan for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 pounds small boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons cold, salted butter, sliced
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- 1 fresno pepper, seeded and sliced (or chili flakes to taste)
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/3 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
To Serve
- Steamed rice
- Naan bread
- 1/2 cup fresh basil
Instructions
- Preheat and Season Chicken: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a baking dish, combine the chicken with chopped garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Toss everything together to evenly coat the chicken.
- Add Butter and Bake: Arrange the slices of cold salted butter over the seasoned chicken. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and juices run clear.
- Prepare the Sauce: While the chicken bakes, heat 4 tablespoons of salted butter (or olive oil if preferred) in a sauce pot over low heat. Add onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, chipotle chili powder, and the seeded, sliced fresno pepper (or chili flakes). Stir and cook gently until the butter has melted and spices are fragrant.
- Finish the Sauce: Remove the pot from heat and whisk in the honey and fresh lime juice until well combined. Stir in the chopped fresh cilantro, then season with salt to taste.
- Serve: Once the chicken is done, spoon the warm chili lime sauce over the chicken. Serve over bowls of steamed rice with fresh basil and naan bread on the side, offering additional sauce for extra flavor.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for juicier and more flavorful meat; chicken breasts work well but can dry out if overcooked.
- Adjust the amount of cayenne and chipotle powder to control the heat level in the sauce.
- If fresno peppers are unavailable, substitute with jalapeños or chili flakes according to heat preference.
- Butter slices on the chicken help infuse moisture and richness during baking.
- The sauce can be made ahead and warmed gently before serving to save time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Fusion
Keywords: chili lime chicken, baked chicken, spicy chicken, honey lime sauce, easy chicken recipe, dinner recipe
