Open-Fire Roasted Chili Lime Chicken Thighs
Juicy chicken thighs marinated in a zesty chili lime sauce roasted to perfection over high heat for a smoky, tangy flavor. This American-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs bone-in chicken thighs, fresh lime juice, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.
Ingredients
- 6 pieces (about 2 lbs) bone-in chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp for garnish fresh cilantro, chopped
The instant-read thermometer we’d check this chicken with → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp honey, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to create the marinade.
- Step 2: Add 6 bone-in chicken thighs to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably 3 hours, to allow flavors to meld.
- Step 3: Preheat your grill or oven broiler to high heat (around 450°F). Remove chicken from marinade and let excess drip off.
- Step 4: Place chicken thighs skin-side down on the grill or under the broiler and cook for 5-6 minutes until skin is nicely charred and crispy.
- Step 5: Flip chicken and continue cooking for another 5-7 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear.
- Step 6: Remove chicken from heat and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro before serving for a fresh, bright finish.








