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Flavorful Grilled Honey Chipotle Chicken Thighs

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Juicy, smoky, and sweet grilled chicken thighs with a honey chipotle marinade that’s perfect for easy Memorial Day BBQs and summer gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds / 900 grams)
  • 1/4 cup (85 grams) honey, preferably raw or wildflower
  • 1 tablespoon smoked chipotle powder
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Optional garnish: chopped fresh cilantro and lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, chipotle powder, minced garlic, lime juice, olive oil, ground cumin, kosher salt, and black pepper until smooth and slightly thick.
  2. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to help the marinade stick better.
  3. Place chicken thighs in a shallow dish or zip-top bag and pour the marinade over. Massage marinade into the chicken to coat each piece evenly.
  4. Refrigerate and marinate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 2 hours, up to 8 hours maximum.
  5. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F / 200°C). Oil grill grates lightly to prevent sticking.
  6. Place chicken thighs skin side down on the grill. Grill for 6–7 minutes per side, flipping once, until skin is crispy and charred in spots and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Move to cooler part of grill if skin browns too fast.
  7. Transfer grilled chicken to a plate and tent loosely with foil. Let rest for 5 minutes to redistribute juices.
  8. Serve garnished with chopped cilantro and lime wedges.

Notes

Pat chicken skin dry before marinating for crispy skin. Control flare-ups by moving chicken to indirect heat if honey glaze burns. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F. For extra sticky glaze, reserve some marinade before adding raw chicken and brush on during last minute of grilling (boil marinade first). Marinate no longer than 8 hours to avoid mushy texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled chicken, honey chipotle chicken, BBQ chicken thighs, Memorial Day recipe, easy grilled chicken, smoky chicken, summer grilling

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/flavorful-grilled-honey-chipotle-chicken-thighs-recipe-for-easy-memorial-day-bbq/