Grilled Citrus-Marinated Chicken Thighs with Charred Green Onions

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken thighs marinated in a zesty citrus blend, grilled to perfection alongside smoky charred green onions. This american-inspired grilling ready in about 35 minutes pairs boneless skin-on chicken thighs, orange juice, lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

★ 4.3 (9 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 American cuisine 350 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper until well combined. Place 6 boneless skin-on chicken thighs in a large resealable bag and pour the marinade over, sealing and refrigerating for at least 2 hours or up to 6 hours.
  2. Step 2: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 400°F). Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Grill chicken thighs over direct heat for 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and skin is crisp and charred.
  3. Step 3: While chicken cooks, toss 8 whole green onions with 1 tbsp honey and a light drizzle of olive oil. Place green onions on the grill perpendicular to grates and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until softened and slightly charred.
  4. Step 4: Remove chicken and green onions from grill, let chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving alongside the smoky sweet grilled green onions.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Citrus-Marinated Chicken Thighs with Charred Green Onions take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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 Grilled Citrus-Marinated Chicken Thighs with Charred Green Onions?

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 Grilled Citrus-Marinated Chicken Thighs with Charred Green Onions?

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 Grilled Citrus-Marinated Chicken Thighs with Charred Green Onions for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Grilled Citrus-Marinated Chicken Thighs with Charred Green Onions?

American grilling 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes