Have a supply of this delicious Oven or BBQ Chili Lime Chicken in the fridge or freezer and you're always ready for a quick and easy meal! Great for salads, sandwiches, wraps and tacos, too.
If you've ever found yourself reaching for the pre-cooked, pre-sliced, pre-seasoned chicken at the grocery store, here's an easy and much more economical way to make your own! This Oven or BBQ Chili Lime Chicken only needs a quick rub, a short marinating rest and then into the oven for 20 minutes. And if it's too hot to turn on the oven, put the cast iron skillet right on the BBQ.
In about 45 minutes, you'll have delicious, moist chicken for a meal, or simply a great supply of cooked, sliced and delicious seasoned chicken for your fridge or freezer to use on salads, sandwiches, wraps or tacos.
Cook's Notes for Oven or BBQ Chili Lime Chicken
If you like, you can rub the chicken then wrap in plastic wrap and pop into the fridge for several hours ahead before cooking. Cooking time will be a little bit longer if it's cold going into the oven (probably 25 minutes).
You'll notice the recipe calls for a small amount of tomato paste. I like to use the tomato paste in the tube easily available at most grocery stores these days. It's so handy when you just need a bit.
The chipotle chili powder is optional, but it does add a nice smokey flavour, as well as a little heat. You can easily leave it out if you like. If you decide to skip it, consider replacing a bit of the regular paprika with smoked paprika for a similar bit of smokiness.
Don't substitute minced fresh garlic for the powdered. It will burn and become bitter. Use either the powdered or skip if you don't have it.
If going the BBQ route, I like to still cook it in the pan. I find it's really hard to cook whole chicken breasts all the way through without burning the outside coating. The method used here simply turns your BBQ into an outdoor oven. You can certainly finish it with a quick trip to the grill grates at the end, to brown up a bit.
I like to make a big batch of this chicken and refrigerate/freeze it. The recipe as written will nicely coat 3 chicken breasts, but you can double or triple the rub as needed. Will keep several days in the fridge or several months in the freezer.
Ideas for Using your Chili Lime Chicken: Enjoy sliced in salads, sandwiches, wraps, tacos or enjoy it as a whole breast alongside corn on the cob and a salad.
Oven or BBQ Chili Lime Chicken
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
- 1 lime (cut into thin slices)
Rub:
- 2 Tbsp olive (canola or vegetable oil)
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 3/4 tsp table salt
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/8 - 1/4 tsp chipotle chili powder (optional, for heat)
- Freshly ground pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425F. (Or alternately, preheat BBQ to medium high heat).
- Combine rub ingredients in a small bowl. Rub all over chicken breasts and place into a lightly greased cast iron skillet (or other oven or BBQ safe pan). Tuck 5-6 lime slices between the chicken. Allow to stand for 15-20 minutes.
- Roast in preheated oven for 20 minutes or until temperature reaches 165F in thickest part of meat. Switch the oven to broil and place skillet about 6-inches from broiler for 3-5 minutes, or until browned. Remove from oven and remove chicken to a cutting board. Let stand at least 5 minutes. Slice and serve warm or wrap up and refrigerate to slice/use later. (For the BBQ, place the cast iron skillet on the BBQ grate, close the BBQ lid and allow to cook for 15-20 minutes. You can finish the chicken quickly directly on the grill for some browning and grill marks, if you like.
- When serving, top with a drizzle of fresh lime juice to really brighten the flavours!
- Keeps several days in the fridge or you can freeze it, as well!
Nutrition
No Cast Iron Skillet Yet?
A cast iron skillet is such a versatile pan and this time of year, it does extra duty since it can safely go right onto the BBQ!
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Josephine says
This chicken is absolutely delicious. Tender and very tasty. Thank you so much Jennifer.
Josephine
Jennifer says
Glad you enjoyed it, Josephine :) Thanks so much!
Robb says
This is – without question – the most delicious chicken “PowerDish” I have ever had. It hits all the right notes and ticks every box in terms of simplicity of preparation, complexity of flavour and it’s versatility. Do you have any more rub/marinade/potions that could be used in a similar manner!? #geniusdish
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Robb! I often make a Korean style chicken breast. I will work it up and post it :)
Irene says
Did this receipe on the barbecue during one of our never ending hot & humid days. Used one & a half times the rub for four chicken breasts,. Yummy either warm or cold!
Jennifer says
So glad to hear, Irene! We have been having endless hot and humid days here, as well. It's been quite a Summer. Trying to just soak it up. We know it won't last ;)
Susan says
Fabulous
Jennifer says
So glad to hear, Susan :)
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
I'm always looking for new ways to jazz up my chicken Jennifer! Love the sound of this!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
You sure know how to make me hungry! This is amazing! Shared!
Jennifer says
Thanks Annie!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
I just made another blogger's chili lime chicken last night and it was dry and flavorless, wish I'd seen this first, yours looks amazing, as always!
Jennifer says
Thanks Sue and yes, this one keeps the chicken nice and moist (and delicious :)
Milena says
Such a tasty, playful rub! The chicken looks moist and I love the color on top! Pinned and will make soon.
Jennifer says
Thanks Milena! It's one of my favourites to have in the fridge all Summer long :)
Tricia @ Saving Room for Dessert says
I could eat these for breakfast this morning Jennifer. Love that flavorful rub. I'll look for the tubes of tomato paste in the store today. I usually flash-freeze 1-tablespoon mounds of tomato paste with any leftover from recipes. I always have a bag in the freezer ready to go - all I need for this is the chicken!
Jennifer says
Thanks Tricia :) In grocery stores here, the tubes are in a box and on the shelves with the sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, pesto etc (not with the tomato paste, for some strange reason). So handy to have around!