Grilling Recipes

🔥 Caribbean Honey-Garlic Grilled Chicken

🌴 Exotic Caribbean Grilled Chicken Recipe

Juicy, island-inspired grilled chicken marinated in honey, garlic, citrus, herbs, and warm Caribbean spices—then grilled to smoky, caramelized perfection.

🕒 Recipe Snapshot

⏱️ Prep
10 minutes

🔥 Cook
12–18 minutes

⏳ Marinate
Optional: 10 minutes – 8 hours

🍽️ Servings
4

🌶️ Spice
Mild (adjustable)

🛒 Ingredients

🍗 2 lbs chicken thighs or drumsticks (bone-in or boneless)
🧄 4 cloves garlic, minced
🍋 Juice of 1 lime (or lemon)
🫒 2 tbsp olive oil
🍯 3 tbsp honey
🧂 3 tbsp soy sauce (or coconut aminos for gluten-free)
🔥 1 tsp smoked paprika
🌿 1 tsp Caribbean all-purpose seasoning
🌶️ ½ tsp black pepper
🧂 ½ tsp sea salt
🌶️ ¼–½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
🍃 Fresh herbs to garnish (thyme or parsley)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Marinate the chicken:
Whisk together garlic, lime juice, olive oil, honey, soy sauce, smoked paprika, Caribbean seasoning, salt, pepper, and chili flakes.
Toss chicken until fully coated. Cover and marinate for at least 10 minutes (longer for deeper flavor).

Preheat grill:
Heat grill to medium-high (375–400°F / 190–205°C). Lightly oil grates.

Grill:
Place chicken on the grill and cook:

• Bone-in: 7–9 minutes per side
• Boneless: 5–7 minutes per side

Brush with extra marinade during the last few minutes for a glossy finish.

Rest:
Remove from grill and rest for 3–5 minutes to lock in 🔥juices.

Serve:
Garnish with fresh herbs and enjoy hot.

✅ Doneness Tip:
Chicken is perfectly cooked when the thickest part reaches 165°F (74°C).

🍳 Equipment Needed

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🌡️ Instant-Read Meat Thermometer – ensures safe doneness (165°F / 74°C)
🍴 Grill Tongs – for easy flipping without piercing
🧻 Aluminum Foil – optional, for resting or indirect heat
🧺 Grill Basket – optional, for pineapple, mango, or veggies

🥗 Health Benefits

❤️ Lean protein: Supports muscle health and keeps you full
⚡ Energy support: B-vitamins from chicken help metabolism
🛡️ Immune boost: Garlic and citrus add antioxidants & vitamin C
🔥 Grill-friendly: Less added fat, big flavor

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

🍚 Coconut rice & peas
🍍 Grilled pineapple or mango
🥗 Mango avocado salad
🌽 Corn on the cob
🥦 Steamed green beans or callaloo

🔥 ChefExotic Tips

🌴 Add a splash of pineapple juice to the marinade for extra island sweetness
🔥 If chicken browns too fast, move to indirect heat
🌶️ Love heat? Add Scotch bonnet sparingly or serve with pepper sauce
🍳 No grill? Use a cast-iron grill pan indoors

📌 Perfect For

Family dinners
Summer cookouts
Meal prep
Caribbean BBQ nights
Gluten-free lifestyles