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chicken thighs grilled in a grill pan with orange wedges.
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Grilled Chicken Thighs With A Citrus Marinade

Juicy grilled chicken thighs marinated in a citrus soy glaze with orange juice, garlic, honey, and smoked paprika. Perfect for quick dinners, meal prep, or summer grilling.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Marinate30 minutes
Total Time52 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free
Skill Level: Beginner
Servings: 4
Author: Rena Awada

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless and skinless chicken thighs

Citrus Marinade

  • ½ cup fresh orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce use tamari for Gluten-free option
  • 1 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon raw honey
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 3 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Optional:

  • red pepper flakes to taste

Instructions

  • In a bowl, whisk together all the marinade ingredients. (½ cup fresh orange juice,1 teaspoon orange zest, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon raw honey, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 3 cloves garlic, and ½ teaspoon black pepper)
    adding the marinade ingredients to a bowl.
  • Add chicken thighs to a bowl or zip bag. Pour the marinade over and coat well. Marinate at least 30 minutes (or up to 8 hours for a deeper flavor).
    chicken marinating in a bowl.
  • Heat a grill to medium-high and lightly oil the grates. Remove chicken from marinade, allowing the excess to drip off. Grill for 6-7 minutes per side, until nicely charred and cooked through.
    chicken thighs grilled on a pan.
  • Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing. Top with red pepper flakes and serve.
    grilled chicken thighs on a pan next to each other.

Notes

  • Chicken thighs are ideal here because they stay juicy and are more forgiving than chicken breast
  • The orange in the marinade helps naturally tenderize the meat while adding subtle sweetness
  • If you want extra flavor, reserve a small portion of the marinade before adding raw chicken and simmer it to use as a drizzle sauce
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day and are perfect for meal prep bowls or salads

Nutrition

Calories: 344kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 215mg | Sodium: 957mg | Potassium: 674mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 366IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 2mg