Chili Lime Chicken Thighs are the perfect quick and flavorful dinner. Juicy, seasoned chicken thighs are seared and coated in a sweet and tangy chili lime glaze, all in about 25 minutes.
Should You Make This?
Time: Ready in about 25 minutes.
Ingredients: Simple pantry staples — chicken thighs, spices, honey, lime, olive oil, and cilantro.
Ease: Super easy! Just season, sear, glaze, and serve.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Chicken Thighs – Use six boneless, skinless thighs (about 1 ½ pounds). You can also use thinly sliced chicken breasts, but adjust the cook time.
Seasoning - Adding smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, and salt gives the chicken a lot of flavor. Regular paprika works as well.
Honey - Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the heat. You can substitute maple syrup if needed.
Lime Juice - Freshly squeezed lime juice gives the best bright flavor — bottled lime juice won't be quite the same.
Red Pepper Flakes - Adjust to your spice preference.
Full ingredient list with quantities in the recipe card below
How to Make Chili Lime Chicken Thighs
Step 1 | Season the Chicken
Mix the spices and salt, then season both sides of the chicken thighs.
Step 2 | Cook the Chicken
Heat oil in a skillet, then cook the chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until browned and cooked through.
Step 3 | Make the Glaze
Whisk the glaze ingredients, pour over the cooked chicken, and simmer for 1–2 minutes until thickened.
Step 4 | Finish and Serve
Drizzle with extra sauce, sprinkle with cilantro, and serve warm with your favorite side.
Tips & Notes
Trim the Chicken: Cut off any excess fat from the chicken thighs to achieve a cleaner, less greasy dish.
Glaze Thickness: If the glaze is too thin, let it simmer for an extra minute or two until it thickens slightly.
Adjust the Spice: This isn't really spicy. You can add more crushed red pepper for a little more heat.
Sides
- Cilantro Lime Rice – fresh and bright to match the lime flavors
- Mexican Street Corn (Elote) – creamy, spicy, and a little smoky
- Simple Green Salad – something crisp with a lime vinaigrette
- Grilled Vegetables – zucchini, bell peppers, and onions would be great
- Oven Baked Potato Wedges – creamy and cooling next to the spicy glaze
Have you tried this recipe yet? I'd love to know how it turned out! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below or tag @MeganVsKitchen on social.
Chili Lime Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs* (about 1 ½ pounds)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- ¼ teaspoon cumin powder
Chili Lime Glaze:
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice about 1 limes
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper*
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro chopped
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, and salt. Season both sides of the chicken thighs with the spice mixture.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken thighs and cook for 6-8 minutes on each side, until browned and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- While the chicken cooks, make the honey lime glaze by whisking together honey, garlic powder, lime juice, chili powder, crushed red pepper (if using), and salt in a small bowl.
- Once the chicken is cooked, pour the honey lime glaze over the chicken in the skillet. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet, drizzle with any remaining sauce, and sprinkle with chopped cilantro. Serve with rice or your favorite side.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary based on the ingredients used.
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