Spicy BBQ Chicken Thighs with Mango Relish
Smoky, spicy chicken thighs glazed with BBQ sauce, paired with a tangy mango-lime relish for a sweet-and-sour contrast. This southern-inspired grilling ready in about 65 minutes pairs (bone-in, skin-on) chicken thighs, barbecue sauce, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 340 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
- 1.5 lbs (bone-in, skin-on) chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 ripe, diced mango
- 1 small, juiced lime
- 1 small, finely chopped red onion
- 1 tbsp, chopped cilantro
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, mix barbecue sauce, brown sugar, cayenne, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Marinate chicken thighs for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Preheat grill to medium-high (400°F). Place chicken on grill and cook 10-12 minutes per side, basting with remaining sauce.
- Step 3: For the relish: combine mango, lime juice, red onion, cilantro, and 1 tbsp water. Let sit 10 minutes.
- Step 4: Serve chicken with relish on a bed of grilled corn or rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy BBQ Chicken Thighs with Mango Relish take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (30 min prep + 35 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 Spicy BBQ Chicken Thighs with Mango Relish?
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 barbecue sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy BBQ Chicken Thighs with Mango Relish?
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 Spicy BBQ Chicken Thighs with Mango Relish 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 Spicy BBQ Chicken Thighs with Mango Relish?
Southern 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order southern delivery again.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
