We all know how chicken dinners can start to feel like reruns on TV—predictable, bland, and frankly a little boring. But this Key West Grilled Chicken? It’s a plot twist your weeknight meals didn’t know they needed. With its citrusy punch and tropical kick, this chicken feels like a vacation in your mouth. The kind of dinner that makes your neighbors jealous because they can smell it from their yard. What I love about this recipe is how it’s both ridiculously easy and full of flavor. I’m talking simple ingredients: orange juice, lime juice, a hit of soy sauce, a little garlic, and a touch of brown sugar to keep things balanced. Toss it all in a bag with your chicken and let the magic happen in the fridge. Come grill time, you’re ten minutes away from juicy, charred perfection. If you’re into easy recipes for dinner, especially the kind that taste like you tried way harder than you actually did, this one’s for you. It also checks the boxes for quick and easy recipes for dinner, easy recipes for dinner with chicken, and even fast and easy recipes for dinner. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll be making it on repeat—no tropical getaway required.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Key West Grilled Chicken Recipe
3) Ingredients for Key West Grilled Chicken
4) How to Make Key West Grilled Chicken
5) Tips for Making Key West Grilled Chicken
6) Making Key West Grilled Chicken Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Key West Grilled Chicken
8) Try these Grill recipes next!
9) Key West Grilled Chicken
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This grilled chicken recipe brings tropical citrus and savory garlic to your plate.
The marinade is made from pantry staples and fresh juices.
Perfect for quick summer dinners or easy recipes for dinner year-round.
Pairs well with grilled veggies or coconut rice.

2) Easy Key West Grilled Chicken Recipe

We’ve all been there—standing in front of the fridge, asking the eternal question: “What should I make for dinner?” If you’re tired of the same old baked chicken routine, this Key West Grilled Chicken is your answer. It falls right into the category of easy recipes for dinner, but it doesn’t taste lazy. With bright lime and orange juices, a touch of brown sugar, and savory soy, it walks the line between sweet, tangy, and just a little smoky.

The best part? It’s easy to pull together and perfect for weeknights. You throw everything in a bag, give it a shake, and let it sit while you go about your day. When you’re ready to eat, a quick grill session gets you golden, juicy chicken that smells so good your neighbors might wander over asking what’s cooking. It’s quick and easy recipes for dinner like this that get us through busy weeks without sacrificing flavor.

Whether you’re new to grilling or just need a no-fail recipe in your back pocket, this one’s a keeper. It nails all the marks: fast and easy recipes for dinner, easy recipes for dinner with chicken, and it even fits in with your summer BBQ lineup.

3) Ingredients for Key West Grilled Chicken

Chicken Breasts: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for faster cooking. They soak up flavor quickly and grill well without drying out. You can swap in thighs if you prefer dark meat.

Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime adds a sharp citrus note. It balances the sweetness and cuts through the richness of the chicken.

Orange Juice: This adds brightness and a bit of natural sugar to help with caramelization on the grill. Fresh is best, but bottled will do in a pinch.

Soy Sauce: Gives the marinade depth. The salty, umami flavor works with the citrus and garlic to build a balanced profile.

Worcestershire Sauce: Just a splash gives complexity and a little something extra you can’t quite put your finger on—but you’d miss it if it wasn’t there.

Brown Sugar: Adds just enough sweetness to balance the acids and helps give the chicken a golden finish on the grill.

Garlic: Fresh minced garlic brings sharpness and warmth. It seeps into the chicken and boosts the aroma.

Cumin: A pinch of ground cumin adds earthiness. It’s subtle, but it rounds everything out nicely.

Salt and Pepper: Don’t skip these. They’re small, but mighty when it comes to lifting all the other flavors.

4) How to Make Key West Grilled Chicken

Step 1. Grab a mixing bowl and whisk together your lime juice, orange juice, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper. Taste the marinade—it should be bright and balanced.

Step 2. Pour the marinade into a large zip-top bag or shallow dish and add the chicken breasts. Make sure they’re fully coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and place it in the fridge for at least 2 hours. If you’ve got time, overnight is even better.

Step 3. When you’re ready to cook, fire up the grill to medium-high heat. Let it get hot so you get those nice grill marks right away.

Step 4. Pull the chicken from the marinade and let any excess drip off. Place the chicken on the grill and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes per side. You’re looking for an internal temp of 165°F and some nice charred edges.

Step 5. Let the chicken rest a couple of minutes after pulling it off the grill. This keeps the juices in. Give it a squeeze of fresh lime and serve it up warm.

5) Tips for Making Key West Grilled Chicken

Let’s talk shortcuts and small wins. Marinate the chicken in the morning before work and grill it that evening. No stress. That’s the beauty of easy recipes for dinner.

Use a meat thermometer if you’re not great at judging doneness by sight. It’s better than cutting it open and letting those juices run all over your cutting board.

If you’re grilling smaller chicken pieces or thinner cuts, keep an eye on them—they cook quickly and can go from golden to overdone fast. And if you’re working with a smaller grill or grill pan, don’t overcrowd. Give each piece space to breathe and sear.

6) Making Key West Grilled Chicken Ahead of Time

This chicken plays nice with meal prep. You can marinate it the night before and grill it when you’re ready. You can even grill it the day before and slice it up cold for salads, wraps, or sandwiches.

It’s a go-to when you need something flexible. I’ve grilled it Sunday night and tossed it over greens with avocado and black beans for weekday lunches. The flavors only deepen a little more overnight.

Need dinner in a pinch? Pull it from the fridge, heat it up, and pair it with rice and beans or toss it over some chopped cabbage with a drizzle of ranch. Easy recipes for dinner like this don’t get much better.

7) Storing Leftover Key West Grilled Chicken

Let the chicken cool completely before storing. Slice it or leave it whole and put it in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps for 3 to 4 days without drying out.

If you’re planning to reheat, cover it with foil and use a low oven to keep it juicy. Or throw it in a skillet with a bit of oil just until warmed through. Microwaves work, too, but they’re less kind to grilled textures.

Or just eat it cold. That works great in wraps and salads. Just be sure to slice it thin and maybe add a little squeeze of lime or a spoon of salsa to perk things up.

8) Try these Grill recipes next!

9) Key West Grilled Chicken