Chili lime chicken marinade makes for the best easy low carb chicken recipe. Serve with asparagus & summer squash for an easy dinner.
This chili lime chicken marinade forms the basis for an easy and delicious dinner. It's full of flavor and quite quick to put together. You'll use both the lime juice and the zest, giving the marinade a bold citrusy flavor that simply screams summer.
This grilled chili lime chicken originated on our low carb meal plans. If you're keto or low carb, this is for you! You should definitely try it if you're not low carb too though, it's just that tasty. Feel free to add a side like rice, quinoa or roasted sweet potatoes if you prefer to include more carbs in your meals.
This easy low carb chicken recipe naturally lends itself to the grill, but don't skip it if it's raining outside or if you're not a fan of grilling. Check out my Cooking without a Grill post for tips on how to convert grilling recipes like this one to indoor cooking.
Apart from its deliciousness, my favorite thing about this chili and lime marinade is that it's perfect for freezer meal prep. You can prep the marinade and add it, along with raw chicken, into a freezer container. Thaw in the fridge for 24 hours and it'll be ready for the grill! I absolutely LOVE this hack in my own cooking. It's just so easy to prep 3 or 4 freezer bags with chicken and marinade and thaw on weeks when I need to keep my meal prep time short. Give it a try!
Grilled Chili Lime Chicken
Ingredients
Chili Lime Chicken Marinade
- 2 T olive oil
- 1 lime zest and juice
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
For the Chicken & Veggies
- 1 bunch asparagus
- 2 summer squash
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 5-7 oz each
Instructions
For the Chili Lime Chicken Marinade
- In a small bowl combine: 2T olive oil, zest & juice of 1 lime, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp salt.
- Mix until it forms a paste and brush evenly over both sides of chicken breasts. Store in a container in the fridge for 1-24 hours OR place in a freezer container or freezer bag & store in freezer
For the Chicken & Veggies
- Trim & discard woody ends off 1 bunch asparagus. Cut 2 squash into bite sized pieces.
- Heat grill to med-high heat.
- Grill chicken on each side for 4-5 mins or until cooked through, 165 F.
- Remove from heat and allow to rest for 5-10min.
- While chicken is resting, toss asparagus and summer squash w/ 2T olive oil & S&P to taste.
- Cook vegetables on grill pan on med-low heat ~10mins.
Nutrition
Meal Prep – Is this a good low carb chicken meal prep recipe?
Chili lime grilled chicken is the perfect recipe for low carb meal prep.
First of all, as I mentioned above, this chili and lime chicken marinade is wonderful for freezer meal prep! For this method, make the marinade, coat the chicken breasts and stash in the freezer. I love assembling a few marinade bags at a time. Thaw the chicken in the fridge for 24 hours and it's ready for the grill!
Alternatively, you can wash and chop your veggies and make the marinade as part of your weekly meal prep. Marinate the chicken for 1-24 hours in the fridge before grilling.
What's the nutrition like for this easy low carb chicken recipe?
This low carb chicken recipe is definitely one you can feel good about serving your family. It's packed with nutrition. Here are a few of the nutritional highlights:
Chicken (Selenium, Zinc, B Vitamins)
In addition to being packed with protein, chicken is a good source of several vitamins and nutrients. Selenium is beneficial for both your immune system and your thyroid. B vitamins promote a healthy brain and high energy levels. Chicken is also considered a good food for weight loss due to its high protein content and relatively low calories, depending on the cut of chicken.
Asparagus (Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Folate, Potassium, Vitamin E)
Half a cup of cooked asparagus has over half of the daily recommended amount of vitamin K, which is good for your bones and for proper blood clotting. It's also a great source of folate, making it particularly beneficial for pregnant women. The potassium in asparagus also makes it a good choice for those with high blood pressure, as potassium can help reduce blood pressure.
Summer Squash (Potassium)
In addition to being an excellent low carb veggie choice, summer squash is quite high in potassium.
Olive Oil (Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Monounsaturated Fats, Antioxidants)
Due to the type of fat it contains, olive oil may reduce inflammation. It also reduces the risk of Alzheimer's, stroke and heart disease. Make sure to get high quality extra virgin olive oil, as it retains more antioxidants and nutrients.
Lime (Vitamin C, Iron, Calcium, Vitamin B6)
The combination of vitamin C and antioxidants make limes great for your immune system. Vitamin C is also highly beneficial for your skin, with anti-aging effects. Limes are also good for your heart, beneficial for preventing kidney stones and may even help prevent certain types of cancer.
Chili Powder (Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Potassium, Copper)
Chili powder is made of ground, dried chili peppers. Chili peppers are very high in Vitamin C and are also a good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Potassium and Copper. Of course, since you won't generally consume large quantities of chili peppers, their contribution to your overall nutrition is limited.
Cumin (Iron, Antioxidants)
Cumin is known for a variety of health benefits including aiding in indigestion. Cumin is also an excellent source of iron and antioxidants.
Does this easy low carb chicken recipe work for a low carb meal plan?
Yes! This grilled chili lime chicken comes from our low carb meal plans, which are always keto friendly.
If you'd like to learn more about our low carb meal plans, check out this post on How to Craft a Weekly Low Carb Meal Plan. Or, I'd love for you to try out our low carb meal plans for free! Sign up for a Prep Dish free trial here and you'll receive all 4 of our weekly meal plans (gluten free, paleo, low carb and super fast).
What if I'm not low carb?
I assure you, you can still enjoy this chili and lime marinated chicken, regardless of whether or not you're low carb. I'm not low carb myself but I find it easy to add a side of sweet potatoes or rice for my family if I serve this recipe.
I want more low carb chicken meal prep recipes!
Parsley Chicken w/ Kale & Goat Cheese
Here's another great low carb chicken marinade for ya! This one uses parsley, lemon and garlic for a bright, fresh tasting chicken dinner. The crumbled goat cheese added to the kale really elevates it to a fun side dish.
Low Carb Chicken Poblano Casserole
Low carb chicken poblano casserole is a wonderful family dinner. With this one, there's no need to make a separate dinner for the carb lovers in your family – it's a crowd favorite!
Sheet Pan Chicken w/ Green Beans & Peppers
Save this one for when you need a quick and easy low carb weeknight dinner. It's delicious and so simple.
FAQ – Everything You Want to Know about Chili Lime Chicken Marinade
How long can you marinate chicken in lime juice?
You can marinate chicken in lime juice, or any citrus, for 1-24 hours. You can also use marinades for freezer meal prep. Place your chicken and marinade in a freezer bag and store in the freezer. Thaw for 24 hours in the fridge before cooking.
What to use chili lime seasoning on?
Chili lime seasoning is delicious on chicken, shrimp, fish, or steak.
What does lime do in a marinade?
Using lime in a marinade helps to tenderize the meat as well as add flavor.
Is it okay to marinate chicken for 30 minutes?
Marinating chicken for 30 minutes is better than nothing, but you'll certainly get more flavor if you marinate for 1-24 hours.
Can I use this chili lime chicken marinade on different proteins?
Yes! Chili lime marinade is just as delicious on shrimp, fish, or steak. For seafood, only marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour. You can negatively impact the texture if you marinate for too long.
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