Grilled Citrus-Marinated Chicken with St. Augustine Herb Rub
Juicy grilled chicken marinated in a citrus blend and rubbed with aromatic St. Augustine-inspired herbs for a smoky, bright flavor. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs (about 1.5 lbs) boneless chicken thighs, fresh orange juice, fresh lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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 1.5 lbs) boneless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup fresh orange juice, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, and 4 minced garlic cloves to create the marinade.
- Step 2: Add 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to the marinade and mix well.
- Step 3: Place 6 boneless chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs) in the marinade, coating thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, up to 4 hours.
- Step 4: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off.
- Step 5: Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, turning once, until internal temperature reaches 165°F and the surface is nicely charred.
- Step 6: Remove chicken from grill and rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Citrus-Marinated Chicken with St. Augustine Herb Rub 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 Grilled Citrus-Marinated Chicken with St. Augustine Herb Rub?
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 fresh orange juice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Citrus-Marinated Chicken with St. Augustine Herb Rub?
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 with St. Augustine Herb Rub 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 Grilled Citrus-Marinated Chicken with St. Augustine Herb Rub?
American 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.