Spicy Honey Lime Chicken Thigh Recipe (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Easy Spicy Honey Lime Chicken Thigh Recipe

Spicy Honey Lime Chicken Thigh Recipe (1)

On the table in about 30 minutes!

Quick cooking boneless, skinless chicken thighs are the base of this quick and flavorful weeknight meal. The chicken cooks in about 20 minutes and then finished in a delicious garlic infused sauce. The sauce is so deliciously sticky, sweet and spicy with a tart citrus tang from fresh lime juice.

We’ve got so much flavor going on here … there’s nothing boring about this chicken dinner!

We were so thrilled with our Spicy Honey Lime Shrimp, we knew it’d be terrific with chicken thighs, too. To add a little more depth to the flavor, we brought soy sauce to the party which turned out to be the perfect compliment for the sweet honey and fresh lime juice.

Can you use other chicken pieces for this recipe?

Yes you can. Chicken tenders, cutlets or chicken breasts are all good choices for this recipe. If using full sized chicken breasts adjust the cooking time to ensure they’re cooked through.

Chicken pieces should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F to be safe to eat. When in doubt, pull out your trusty instant-read thermometer and double check.

Spicy Honey Lime Chicken Thigh Recipe (2)

Ingredients you’ll need for our Spicy Honey Lime Chicken Thigh Recipe

For the sauce:

garlic cloves
low-sodium soy sauce
honey
fresh lime juice
salt
pepper

For the chicken:

Sriracha dry seasoning
boneless, skinless chicken thighs
olive oil
crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
parsley for garnish
lime wedges for serving

How to make our easy Spicy Honey Lime Chicken Thighs

First, combine the sauce ingredients: garlic, soy sauce, honey, lime juice, salt and pepper. Set aside.
Next, pat the chicken dry with paper towels and place on a plate or small baking sheet. Season both sides of the chicken with Sriracha seasoning.
Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and the chicken in a single layer. Brown the chicken on both sides.
Reduce the heat to medium and add the garlic lime sauce. Cook the chicken, turning and stirring occasionally, until cooked all the way through. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165F.
Sprinkle the chicken with crushed chili pepper flakes and parsley. Serve over cooked pasta or rice. Garnish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

For best results and to avoid burning as the sauce caramelizes, make this chicken in a non-stick skillet.

Spicy Honey Lime Chicken Thigh Recipe (3)

What can you serve with Honey Lime Chicken Thighs?

Serve this chicken over rice, pasta or anything that will sop up every last drop of the zesty sauce. Crusty bread works great too! Served with a side of steamed broccoli or oven roasted green beans, this chicken thigh recipe is super satisfying and very delicious.

Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, or cilantro leaves and sliced lime wedges.

Did you know you can freeze chopped fresh herbs? I don’t like to waste food so if I buy a bundle of fresh parsley or cilantro at the store, I like to use it all before it goes bad.

If you have extra fresh herbs in your refrigerator, too, chop the leaves and pour them directly into an airtight freezer safe container. The herbs won’t even stick together once frozen and retain a good bit of their beautiful color. Whenever you need a garnish or a few tablespoons of fresh herbs, check the freezer for your stash!

Other recipes to make using Sriracha seasoning:

We have several more recipes featuring our favorite Sriracha seasoning. One of the best is these Grilled Chicken Skewers with a Sweet Sriracha Glaze. This chicken is easy, quick and delicious and perfect for a weeknight meal.

If you’re looking for a great way to elevate the flavor of a mild flaky fish fillet, try ourSriracha Grilled Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos. So much deliciousness in every bite and who doesn’t love fish tacos?

Check out our recipe for and you’ll be amazed at the fantastic flavor combination. It’s a nod to classic Shrimp & Grits with a delicious twist!

Thanks for PINNING!

Spicy Honey Lime Chicken Thigh Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Yield: 4

Course: Main Course

Author: Tricia

Pin RecipePrint RecipeRate Recipe

5 from 48 votes

Boneless skinless chicken thighs in a delicious garlic infused sauce that's sticky, sweet and spicy, with a tart citrus tang from the lime juice

Ingredients

4 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
¼ cup honey
juice of 1 lime (about 1 ½ tablespoons)
pinch of salt
½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
2 teaspoons Sriracha dry seasoning more or less to taste (or substitute your favorite seasoning blend)
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 8 thighs)
½ tablespoon olive oil
¼ teaspoon crushed chili pepper flakes (optional)
chopped fresh parsley for garnish
sliced lime wedges for serving

Instructions

Combine the garlic, soy sauce, honey, lime juice, salt and black pepper in a small bowl. Stir to combine, set aside.
Sprinkle both sides of the chicken thighs with the dry Sriracha seasoning blend.
Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and heat until shimmering. Add the chicken thighs in a single layer. Cook the chicken until browned on both sides; 4-5 minutes per side. Reduce the heat to medium and add the garlic lime sauce. Cook the chicken, turning and stirring occasionally, until cooked through, 7-10 minutes. The sauce will thicken and caramelize and reduce slightly.
Sprinkle the chicken with crushed chili pepper flakes and parsley, if desired. Serve over your favorite cooked pasta or rice. Garnish with fresh lime slices if desired.

Recipe Notes

Use a large non-stick skillet so the sauce doesn’t burn as it caramelizes

Chicken breasts or chicken cutlets can be substituted for the thighs but need to cook a bit longer.
If you need to use liquid Sriracha sauce, marinate the chicken in enough sauce to coat. Place in a zipper bag and refrigerate until needed. The chicken won’t brown as well, and the flavor is slightly different. We prefer the dry seasoning for this recipe and believe you will too.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Nutrition

More chicken thigh recipes:

For a deliciously flavored baked chicken thighs recipe, try our Oven-Roasted Greek Chicken. Made with bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or breasts flavored with a simple yogurt based marinade. Bake the chicken pieces until juicy and tender, with nice crispy skin and plenty of flavor.

If you love crispy chicken skin, try our Chicken Thighs with Mushroom Herb Pan Sauce. Tender, juicy and inexpensive chicken thighs are always a terrific addition to the weeknight recipe rotation. Simmered gently in our rich and flavorful pan sauce, these versatile thighs may be your new family favorite!

Finally, if you have plenty of leftover cooked chicken, make these inexpensive, freezable Southwest Roll-ups. They are the perfect grab and go lunch!