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Grilled Citrus Chicken with Glaze

Juicy grilled chicken marinated in fresh orange, lemon, and lime juice with garlic and herbs, finished with a sweet honey-citrus glaze. Perfect for summer cookouts and family dinners.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Marinating Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5-2 pounds chicken breasts
  • 1 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 large lemon juice and zest
  • 2 large limes juice and zest
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 shallots minced
  • 0.5 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 2 tablespoons honey for glaze

Equipment

  • Grill or Grill Pan
  • resealable plastic bag or shallow dish
  • small saucepan
  • meat thermometer
  • Basting Brush

Method
 

  1. Zest all citrus fruits first, then juice the orange, lemon, and limes. Combine citrus juice, zest, minced garlic, minced shallots, olive oil, brown sugar, salt, pepper, rosemary, parsley, and red pepper flakes in a bowl. Whisk until sugar dissolves.
  2. If using chicken breasts, pound them to even thickness or butterfly them in half for uniform cooking. Reserve exactly half of the marinade in a separate container for the glaze.
  3. Add chicken to remaining marinade in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, but no longer than 4 hours in the refrigerator.
  4. To make the glaze, combine reserved marinade with honey in a small saucepan. Bring to a low simmer and cook for 5-6 minutes until thickened enough to coat a spoon. Set aside to cool.
  5. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Brush grill grates with oil to prevent sticking.
  6. Remove chicken from marinade and place on preheated grill. Grill for 6-7 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part.
  7. During the last 1-2 minutes of cooking, brush chicken with the honey-citrus glaze using a basting brush.
  8. Remove chicken from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Don't marinate longer than 4 hours or the citrus acid will break down the chicken texture. If not making the glaze, you can halve the marinade recipe. Grilling time may vary based on chicken cut and thickness - always use a meat thermometer to ensure safety. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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