Citrus-Honey Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs
Juicy grilled chicken thighs marinated in a zesty citrus and honey glaze that caramelizes beautifully over high heat. This general-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs orange juice, lemon juice, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, 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 (about 3 lbs) bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp for garnish chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper until fully combined.
- Step 2: Place 6 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs in a large resealable bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably 4 hours.
- Step 3: Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Remove chicken from marinade, reserving the marinade.
- Step 4: Grill chicken thighs skin side down for 6-7 minutes until skin is crisp and golden. Flip and grill another 6-7 minutes, basting occasionally with reserved marinade, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Step 5: Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Citrus-Honey Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Citrus-Honey Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep orange juice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Citrus-Honey Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Citrus-Honey Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Citrus-Honey Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs?
General chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.