Grilled Guatemalan Chicken with Spiced Tomato Sauce

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-26 · Updated 2026-07-26

About the author — Lauren Mitchell is the Test Kitchen Director at AislePrompt, with over a decade of professional kitchen experience spanning recipe development, culinary technique testing, and hands-on evaluation of cooking methods across hundreds of tested dishes. Every recipe in the AislePrompt catalog is cooked at least twice before publication. Full author profile →

Tender chicken marinated in Guatemalan-inspired spices grilled to perfection and served with a rich, smoky tomato sauce. This Latin American-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 105 minutes, pairs bone-in chicken thighs, garlic cloves, minced, ground cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

Prep: 75 min Cook: 30 min Serves 6 Latin American cuisine 350 cal/serving

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Ingredients

6 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp dried oregano
3 tbsp lime juice
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
14 oz (400 g) canned crushed tomatoes
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

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Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp dried oregano, 3 tbsp lime juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add 6 bone-in chicken thighs and coat well. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
Step 2: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Grill the marinated chicken thighs for 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and skin is crisp and charred in spots.
Step 3: Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped yellow onion and 1 medium diced red bell pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Step 4: Stir in 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 1/2 tsp salt, and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes until sauce thickens and deepens in flavor.
Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro for freshness.
Step 6: Serve grilled chicken topped with the spiced tomato sauce and garnish with extra cilantro if desired.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Guatemalan Chicken with Spiced Tomato Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 105 minutes (75 min prep + 30 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 Guatemalan Chicken with Spiced Tomato Sauce?

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 Guatemalan Chicken with Spiced Tomato Sauce?

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 Guatemalan Chicken with Spiced Tomato Sauce 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 Guatemalan Chicken with Spiced Tomato Sauce?

Latin 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.