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These grilled chili lime chicken thighs will be your new summer grilling favorite! These delicious chicken thighs are marinated in mangoes, lime juice, jalapeños peppers, cilantro, and chili powder.
I’ve already talked about my love for grilling a million times this summer.
Seriously, it’s the best way of cooking in the summer HANDS DOWN!
You know my major love for chicken thighs. They are just the easiest and most delicious cut of chicken to grill in the summer. Plus, they are always on sale, so why wouldn’t I stock up?
A few weeks ago, I made sweet soy-marinated grilled chicken thighs, a HUGE hit on the blog. You all must love chicken thighs, too!
However, this time, I went a little spicy and sweet.
I marinated these babies in pureed mango, lime juice, cilantro, jalapeno, and chili powder. They are packed full of flavor and perfect for summer.
I easily doubled this recipe and made a massive amount of chicken thighs, but that is only because I like easy lunches, and what’s better than dinnertime leftovers?
Ingredients needed
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs
- Mango
- Cilantro
- Lime juice
- Garlic
- Jalapeno
- Lime zest
- Ginger
- Chili lime sauce
- Chili powder
- Kosher salt
How to grill chili lime chicken thighs
The best part about grilling is the lack of cleanup needed! Preheat that grill, throw on the chicken, and devour! I served this chicken with rice, which I made right in the Instant Pot, which makes this even easier. It’s such a delicious dish.
- Add your chicken thighs to a large zip-top bag and set aside while you prepare the marinade.
- Add mango, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, jalapeno, zest, ginger, chili garlic sauce, chili powder, and kosher salt in a blender or food processor.
- Blend until smooth and pour over chicken in the zip-top bag.
- Close the bag, set it on a plate, and place it in the fridge for at least 4 hours to marinate.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and grill the chicken until it’s registered 165 degrees F when tested by an instant-read thermometer.
My Pro Tips
Chicken Grilling Recipe Tips
- Don’t skip out on preheating your grill. It helps evenly cook the chicken.
- Marinade for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours. I find 8 hours is my preferred marinating time.
- Use fresh or frozen mango for the marinade. If using frozen, let it defrost first.
- Fresh squeezed or bottled lime juice will work well here.
- Leave the jalapeno pepper if you want the marinade to have less spice.
- If you want more spice, try using a scotch bonnet pepper.
What to serve alongside
FAQ’s
More grilled chicken recipes
Grilled Chili Lime Chicken Thighs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1-1/2 cups cubed mango, fresh or frozen (defrosted)
- ¼ cup packed cilantro
- ¼ cup lime juice
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 seeded jalapeño, quartered
- 1 tablespoons lime zest
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Add your chicken to a large zip-top bag and set aside while you prepare the marinade.
- In a blender or food processor, add mango, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, jalapeno, lime zest, ginger, chili garlic sauce, chili powder, and kosher salt. Blend until smooth.
- Pour the mango mixture over the chicken in the large plastic zip-top bag. Close the top, smoosh around the chicken, and let marinate for at least 4 and up to 24 hours.
- When ready to cook, heat your grill on medium-high heat and grill the chicken until fully cooked or until it registers 165 degrees F when tested with an instant-read thermometer.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Holy yummy thighs! I love the flavor combo you have!
great flavor ideas here. love chicken thighs for extra flavor too! I really like mango with chicken, nice that you add ginger here too! Thank you!
Advice from a professional chef: do not marinade the chicken for more than 4 hours. The acid from the lime will start to cook and denature the protiens