Description
This Honey Lime Pan Roasted Chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make recipe featuring bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs cooked to juicy perfection in a skillet with a sweet and tangy honey lime sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or meal prep, it combines fresh lime zest and juice, honey, soy sauce, and a crispy golden skin for a flavorful dish that pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade and Sauce
- 2 Limes (zested and juiced)
- 3 tbsp Honey
- 1 tbsp Soy Sauce
Chicken
- 8 Chicken Thighs (Bone-in and Skin-on; may substitute with 4 Leg Quarters)
- 1 tsp Coarse Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 3 tbsp Olive Oil
Garnish
- 2 Green Onions (chopped)
- Lime slices (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Honey Lime Sauce: Zest 2 limes and place the zest in a small bowl. Cut the limes in half and squeeze the juice into the same bowl. Add 3 tablespoons of honey and 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, then stir to combine thoroughly.
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and trim any excess skin. Season both sides generously with 1 teaspoon coarse salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper for balanced flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat in a 10-12 inch heavy skillet for 1 to 2 minutes. Place the chicken skin-side down in the hot oil and cook without moving for about 5 minutes, until the skin turns a dark golden brown and crisps up. Be sure to keep skin loosely attached to the pan for even searing.
- Prepare Garnishes: While the chicken is cooking, chop 2 green onions and slice some lime wedges to use as fresh garnishes later.
- Finish Cooking the Chicken: Flip the chicken pieces so the cooked skin side faces up. Pour the honey-lime mixture over the chicken, reduce the heat to low, and cover the skillet. Let the chicken cook for 14 to 18 minutes, checking that the internal temperature reaches 180°F to ensure it’s fully cooked and tender.
- Serve: Transfer chicken pieces to plates, drizzle the pan juices over the top for extra flavor, and garnish with chopped green onions and lime slices. Serve hot alongside your favorite side dishes and enjoy a bright, flavorful meal.
Notes
- This recipe is versatile—you can use bone-in chicken thighs, boneless skinless thighs, or even chicken breasts based on preference.
- Cooking in a heavy skillet like cast iron helps achieve a crispy skin and evenly cooked chicken.
- The honey lime sauce imparts a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess for an irresistible flavor.
- Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s ideal for quick weeknight dinners and meal prepping.
- Leftovers make great fillings for tacos, enchiladas, or layered rice dishes with avocado for a fresh twist.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
- Calories: 325 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 214 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 111 mg