Charred Chili Lime Chicken Thighs

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-04 · Updated 2026-08-04

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Bold grilled chicken thighs marinated in a zesty chili lime sauce, delivering a smoky, well-balanced heat. This Mexican-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, lime juice, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 320 cal/serving

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Ingredients

6 pieces (about 1.5 lbs) boneless skinless chicken thighs
1/4 cup, freshly squeezed lime juice
3 tbsp olive oil
4, minced garlic cloves
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp honey
1/4 cup chopped for garnish fresh cilantro

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Instructions

Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp honey until fully combined.
Step 2: Add 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs) to the marinade, turning to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for deeper flavor.
Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (around 400°F). Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off.
Step 4: Grill chicken thighs for 5-6 minutes per side until charred with grill marks and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Step 5: Transfer grilled chicken to a platter and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving.