Grilled Citrus Chicken with Glaze Recipe
Rebecca
This citrus-marinated grilled chicken is bursting with fresh flavors from orange, lemon, and lime juice, enhanced with garlic, shallots, and herbs. The chicken is marinated for up to 4 hours, then grilled to juicy perfection. A sweet and tangy citrus glaze made from the reserved marinade and honey adds extra flavor. Perfect for a light and refreshing meal!
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Marinating time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 811 kcal
- 1 ½ – 2 lbs chicken breasts
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 1 large lemon juice + zest
- 2 large limes juice + zest
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 shallots minced
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Herbs & Spice:
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary
- 1 tbsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
Citrus Glaze:
- ½ of the marinade
- 2 tbsp honey
Prepare the Marinade: Zest and juice the oranges, lemon, and limes. In a bowl, mix the citrus juice and zest with minced garlic, shallots, olive oil, brown sugar, salt, pepper, rosemary, parsley, and red pepper flakes. Stir until well combined.
Marinate the Chicken: If using chicken breasts, lightly pound them or butterfly them for even thickness. Place the chicken in a bowl or zip-top bag and pour half of the marinade over it. Reserve the remaining half for the glaze. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, but no longer than 4 hours to prevent the acid from breaking down the meat too much.
Grill the Chicken: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates. Grill the chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165˚F in the thickest part. Adjust cooking time based on the cut of chicken, and use a meat thermometer for accuracy. In the last 1-2 minutes of grilling, brush the chicken with the citrus glaze if using. Remove from the grill and let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Make the Citrus Glaze (Optional): In a small saucepan, combine the reserved half of the marinade with honey. Bring to a low simmer and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens enough to coat a spoon. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly before brushing onto the grilled chicken.
💡 Note: If you are not making the glaze, you can reduce the marinade ingredients by half.
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Use Fresh Citrus: Fresh juice & zest add vibrant flavor.
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Marinate Wisely: Keep it under 4 hours to prevent the chicken from breaking down.
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Control Grill Heat: Avoid burning by maintaining medium-high heat.
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Save the Glaze: Perfect as a dipping sauce on the side!
Keyword Grilled Citrus Chicken with Glaze Recipe