Charred Citrus and Chipotle Chicken Thighs
Juicy chicken thighs marinated in smoky chipotle and fresh citrus, grilled to perfection with a caramelized char. This Mexican-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs bone-in chicken thighs, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, orange juice 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.
Ingredients
- 6 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
- 2 peppers, minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped, for garnish fresh cilantro
Know when the chicken is done: thermometers under $100 → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, 4 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to create the marinade. Stir until fully blended.
- Step 2: Add 6 bone-in chicken thighs to the marinade, coating each piece thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to infuse flavors.
- Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Remove chicken from marinade and place on the grill. Cook for 6-7 minutes per side until the skin is charred and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Step 4: Transfer chicken to a serving platter and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving.









