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Flavorful Chipotle Lime Grilled Chicken Thighs with Zesty Glaze

chipotle lime grilled chicken thighs - featured image
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Tender, juicy chicken thighs grilled with a smoky chipotle and fresh lime glaze that caramelizes perfectly, delivering a bold and zesty flavor perfect for quick weeknight dinners or casual cookouts.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds / 900g)
  • 2 tablespoons chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
  • Juice of 2 large limes (freshly squeezed)
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • A handful of fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade by whisking together chipotle peppers in adobo, lime juice, honey, minced garlic, olive oil, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl until smooth and aromatic.
  2. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to help the skin crisp. Place them in a large bowl or zip-top bag and pour the marinade over them. Toss well to coat every piece. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours.
  3. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (about 375°F to 400°F / 190°C to 200°C).
  4. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down on the grill. Cook undisturbed for 7-8 minutes until the skin crisps and releases easily from the grill grates.
  5. Flip the chicken and grill the other side for another 7-8 minutes.
  6. During the last 5 minutes of grilling, brush some of the reserved marinade glaze (not raw marinade) onto the chicken to build a sticky, zesty coating. Use tongs to flip carefully to avoid tearing the skin.
  7. Check doneness with a meat thermometer; internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). If unavailable, pierce with a fork and ensure juices run clear.
  8. Remove chicken from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes to lock in juices.
  9. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before marinating for crisp skin. Reserve some marinade for glazing during grilling but do not use raw marinade on the grill. Control grill heat to avoid burning the glaze. Let chicken rest after grilling for juiciness. If flare-ups occur, move chicken to a cooler part of the grill. Can bake at 425°F (220°C) for 30-35 minutes as an alternative cooking method.

Nutrition

Keywords: chipotle lime chicken, grilled chicken thighs, smoky chicken, zesty glaze, easy grilled chicken, weeknight dinner, barbecue chicken

Find it online: https://gleefulfork.com/flavorful-chipotle-lime-grilled-chicken-thighs-recipe-easy-zesty-glaze-guide/