Ingredients
Marinade Ingredients
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice (about 1 orange)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
- 4 cloves garlic
- 3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 2 tablespoons adobo sauce
- ½ medium yellow onion, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- ½ tablespoon ancho chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
Chicken
- 2-3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: Add the orange juice, lime juice, garlic, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, onion, olive oil, white wine vinegar, ancho chili powder, cumin, oregano, and kosher salt to a blender or food processor. Blend the mixture until it becomes smooth and well combined.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs into a large zip-top bag or a baking dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken and toss everything together to ensure all pieces are evenly coated.
- Refrigerate to Marinate: Seal the bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 to 10 hours. Avoid marinating for longer than 10 hours, as the acidic lime juice can break down the chicken fibers too much, causing a mushy texture. If you prefer marinating for up to 24 hours, add the lime juice only during the last 8 hours.
- Cook the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade. Choose your preferred cooking method — grill, bake, stovetop, or air fry — and cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F as measured by an instant-read thermometer.
- Cooking Methods: For grilling, preheat the grill to medium-high heat and cook the chicken for 5-6 minutes on each side. To bake, preheat the oven to 425°F and bake for 15-20 minutes. If cooking on the stovetop, heat a drizzle of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook for 5-6 minutes per side. For air frying, set air fryer to 375°F and cook for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Rest the Chicken: After cooking, allow the chicken thighs to rest for 5 minutes before serving to let the juices redistribute for maximum tenderness and flavor.
Notes
- For best texture, do not marinate chicken for longer than 10 hours with lime juice included.
- If marinating longer than 10 hours (up to 24), add lime juice only during the last 8 hours to prevent mushy chicken.
- Chicken thighs are preferred for juiciness and flavor, but boneless skinless chicken breasts can be substituted with slightly shorter cooking times.
- The marinade can also be used for other proteins like pork or tofu for a smoky, spicy flavor.
- Adjust the number of chipotle peppers according to your preferred heat level.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure proper doneness and food safety.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
