Grilled Citrus-Mustard Chicken Thighs
Juicy chicken thighs marinated in a zesty citrus and mustard blend, grilled to smoky perfection with a caramelized crust. This mediterranean-inspired grilling ready in about 30 minutes pairs bone-in 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 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 bone-in chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup orange juice, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 3 tbsp Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until smooth and fragrant.
- Step 2: Place 6 bone-in chicken thighs in a large resealable bag and pour the marinade over them. Seal and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight for maximum flavor infusion.
- Step 3: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 400°F). Remove chicken from marinade and discard excess marinade.
- Step 4: Grill chicken thighs skin side down for 6-7 minutes until the skin is crisp and charred at the edges, then flip and cook for another 6-8 minutes, or until an internal temperature of 165°F is reached.
- Step 5: Remove chicken from grill and let 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-Mustard Chicken Thighs take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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-Mustard 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 bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Citrus-Mustard 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 Grilled Citrus-Mustard 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 Grilled Citrus-Mustard Chicken Thighs?
Mediterranean 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.
