No more boring chicken dinners. This Southwestern Grilled Chicken Recipe with Lime Butter is an easy way to take an ordinary chicken and turn it into something everyone will request over and over again.

Southwestern Grilled Chicken Recipe with Lime Butter

It’s been years ago—twenty to be exact—since we lived in our first apartment with a tiny porch, with an even tinier grill which could hold enough food for a young couple. Since then, many grills have come and gone, but our favorite thing to grill has remained the same: chicken. It’s such a versatile and forgiving meat to grill, and is always a favorite with our crowd.

Around here we grill a lot of chicken pretty much year-round, probably at least twice a week. We have a standard favorites, like our Sweet and Spicy Grilled Wings, We have our favorite easy go-to sauce, but it’s always fun to mix up a new marinade or sauce for basting. This recipe for Southwestern Grilled Chicken with Lime Butter was one of those times, and certainly one we’ll use again and again. The seasoning paste and butter can be made ahead a day or two, which makes dinnertime that much easier.

how to grill chicken Southwestern Grilled Chicken Recipe with Lime Butter

The flavor packed seasoning paste would also be fantastic used for pork as well, while the Lime Butter would be a great addition to all kinds of things. Grilled corn or potatoes come to mind. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it!

How to Make Southwestern Grilled Chicken with Lime Butter

Begin by making a paste by whisking together chili powder, ground cinnamon, brown sugar, cocoa powder, salt, black pepper, olive oil and balsamic vinegar in small bowl until well blended. Spread seasoning paste all over the chicken with a spoon or basting brush. Next, grill the chicken in a single layer over medium heat for a gas grill, or indirect heat for a charcoal grill. Close the lid and grill about 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked throughly.

While the chicken is cooking, prepare the lime butter by mixing together fresh cilantro, melted butter, minced serrano chile, minced white onion, fresh lime juice and black pepper. (The lime butter can be made a day or two ahead of time and kept covered and refrigerated.) Drizzle butter over the cooked chicken just before serving or serve separately for dipping.

Other great grilling recipes you’ll enjoy:

Southwestern Grilled Chicken with Lime Butter Recipe

Southwestern Grilled Chicken Recipe with Lime Butter

Southwestern Grilled Chicken Recipe with Lime Butter

Yield: 8
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Grilled chicken doesn't get any tastier than when it's coated with lovely spices and topped with lime butter.

Ingredients

For the chicken:

  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon coarse black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 
3 1/2 pounds bone-in chicken parts

For the Lime Butter:

  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
  • 1 serrano chile, minced
  • 2 tablespoons minced white onion
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • pinch coarse black pepper

Instructions

  1. Mix first 8 ingredients in small bowl until well blended. Spread seasoning paste all over chicken with spoon or basting brush.
  2. Grill chicken using medium heat for a gas grill or indirect heat for a charcoal grill. Close the lid and grill about 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
  3. For the Lime Butter, mix all ingredients in small bowl. Drizzle over chicken just before serving or serve separately for dipping.

Notes

For easy prep-ahead planning, seasoning paste, and Lime Butter may be made ahead, a refrigerated covered. The Lime Butter can be slowly rewarmed, or just brought to room temperature and let the warm chicken finish the melting.)

Did you make this recipe?

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Originally published May 21, 2014.