Not Your Grandma's Spicy Lime Chicken

June 25, 2014

Not Your Grandma's Spicy Lime Chicken


When it comes to barbecued chicken, dry, flavorless and hard to chew chicken my Grandma used to make, comes to mind.
Now, I’m not hating my Grandma (or her grilling skills), but I always thought that while she could made the best oven-roasted chicken ever, her bbq’d chicken was not-so-legendary.
So I don't know about your Grandma, but I'm pretty sure this juicy Spice Lime Chicken would have not been appreciated by my Granny.
Because - among other things - she would have never used lime for cooking.
She thought limes were only good in cocktails or with tequila. And good luck changing her mind — she was stubborn as a mule.
As to spices, though she wasn’t against them in general, she would always say that the heat competes or drowns out the flavors. Basically, a no.
In other words, she would have not digged this recipe. At all.
She would have been much happier with her dry, flavorless, chewy bbq chicken. God bless her soul.
But you instead - just like me - are not afraid of bold flavors and spicing things up when it comes to food. So when I present you with an awesome fiery marinade...you’re totally digging it. Right?


Not Your Grandma's Spicy Lime Chicken


Here’s the thing with this Spicy Lime Chicken. When you first bite there’s the freshness of the lime zest. and then the heat of the red pepper flakes, paprika and Dijon mustard hits you at the end of your bite. It makes you smile on the inside and maybe on the outside too.
Chicken that is brilliantly chargrilled, juicy and perfectly cooked.
So good it makes you feel empowered.


Not Your Grandma's Spicy Lime Chicken


If you're lucky enough to still have your Grandma, introduce her to this succulent Spicy Lime Chicken — but just be forewarned that she might join you on the dark side.
This might actually become Your Grandma’s Spicy Lime Chicken.
Go Grandma!


Not Your Grandma's Spicy Lime Chicken
Not Your Grandma’s Spicy Lime Chicken            Print this recipe!

Ingredients
Serves 4

1 lb / 453 gr free-range organic chicken, cut into strips
2 limes
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard (or English mustard)
3 tablespoons raw organic honey
3 tablespoons ketchup (make your own paleo ketchup with this recipe)
1 tablespoon olive oil
¼ teaspoon fine grain sea salt
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

In a small bowl combine the zest and juice of one lime, red pepper flakes, paprika, mustard, honey, ketchup, salt and pepper and stir to combine. Spoon out one tablespoon of the marinade and set aside.
In a shallow sealable container or in a large Ziploc bag, combine chicken strips and marinade.
Turn the strips over (or shake the bag), so they’re well coated.
Cover (or seal) and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes (marinate overnight for fullest flavor).
Heat a grill or a grill pan to medium-high (if you’re using an outdoor grill lightly oil the grill grates).
Grill the chicken, until golden brown and cooked through, turning regularly.
Keep control of the heat really carefully, so the chicken cook through properly before it starts burning on the outside.
Transfer to a plate, spoon reserved marinade on top, grate lime zest on top and serve with lime wedges.

Nutrition facts

One serving yields 283 calories, 8 grams of fat, 10 grams of carbs and 35 grams of protein.

36 comments:

  1. Love chicken and I love lime so these are definitely for me! It wasn't my grans chicken that was bad its her veg she is a microwave queen and cooks everything in hers so the veg usually falls to slop under the pressure of a knife....tasty!

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    1. Hahahaha, your grans is a legend in the makings! :)

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  2. This one cracked me up but I am totally with ya Mike. This looks incredible!!

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  3. Looks fantastic! And, since I no longer can eat lemon...lime is now my go to. Can't wait to try this.

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  4. Replies
    1. It totally should become a staple Hayley, it's so good!

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  5. I'm probably your grandma's age, but this sounds absolutely delicious to me. I'll go a little lighter on the red pepper flakes, but the rest should be just fine. Years ago I had spicy chicken flavored with lime and served with black beans and rice at a Cuban restaurant. I've hoped to find a recipe that might recreate it ever since.

    I think this is the one. Thanks, Mike!

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    1. Awesome Wren! If you give it a try, please report back. I'd love to hear if you liked or not!

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  6. Unfortunately both my Grandmas are long gone... one of them was a great cook, but there were no barbecue grills in my family when I grew up in Brazil

    For my taste, this type of recipe is perfect - combining a very lean protein with a ton of flavor and acidity - it makes it very satisfying... I am pinning you. I mean, your recipe... of course!



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  7. Lol, my grandma was no wiz with chicken, but she made a mean pie! :-) You're killing it with these chicken recipes Mike! It seems like everyone (myself included) is always looking for new ways to make it. :-)

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  8. Hi Mike, this lime chicken sound great and delightful. You're good, 2 thumbs up for you. Very impressive photography skill.

    Have a great day, regards.

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  9. Haha, this looks great, Mike! I love the grandma stories...especially the "stubborn as a mule." I think that's a requirement for all grandmas! Oh, is this recipe vegan? 'cuz that would be awesome! :-)

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    1. Actually it is vegan. Haven't you heard? Just recently chicken was labeled a "vegan food". Who knew?
      ;)

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  10. This Spicy Lime Chicken would be such a dinner hit! I'm a big lime fan so I love the idea of cooking with it!

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  11. I totally love lime! Am pinning this for later.

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  12. Ooh your grandma's gonna get you! But it sure made for a comical post! I don't recall my grandma grilling or cooking with spicy ingredients either. I bet the flavors come together nicely in this recipe. As always, thanks for sharing. I'm sure your grandma is so proud of you and is smiling down from Heaven.

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  13. Although I highly doubt my grandma with her IBS will enjoy this, I will happily eat her portion. These look awesome Mike! Loving the spicy lime marinade!! That's my type of flavor bomb right there. Pinned. #WolfpackEats

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  14. Bold and spicy are my kind of flavors! Your marinade is dope, Mike! The combo of Dijon, honey, paprika and chili flakes sure would make me "smile on the inside and ... on the outside too"!!!

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  15. Definitely much better than my grandma's bbw chicken! This looks truly amazing and so tender! I'm throwing a bbq tomorrow and probably making these as well. Thanks for the recipe! xx

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    1. Can I come as well? A bbq in Spain, sounds too good to be true!

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  16. Quick Question: is the Dijon measurement in tablespoons or teaspoons? Thanks!

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