Smoky Chipotle-Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs

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

Juicy chicken thighs marinated and grilled with a smoky chipotle glaze, perfect for a flavorful Southern-inspired BBQ. This latin american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 30 minutes turns bone-in chicken thighs, peppers chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, honey into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. 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: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Latin American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a blender, combine 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Blend until smooth to create the marinade.
  2. Step 2: Place 6 bone-in chicken thighs in a large bowl or zip-top bag and pour the chipotle marinade over them, ensuring each thigh is coated well. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight for best flavor.
  3. Step 3: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Remove the chicken thighs from the marinade, letting excess drip off, and grill for 6-7 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the glaze has caramelized with smoky edges.
  4. Step 4: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute, resulting in tender, smoky chipotle-glazed chicken.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Smoky Chipotle-Glazed Grilled 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 Smoky Chipotle-Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Smoky Chipotle-Glazed Grilled 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 Smoky Chipotle-Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs 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 Smoky Chipotle-Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs?

Latin American bbq & smoked 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.

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