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Flavorful Honey Chipotle Grilled Chicken Thighs Easy Sticky Glaze Recipe

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Juicy grilled chicken thighs coated in a sticky honey chipotle glaze that balances smoky heat and sweetness, perfect for quick weeknight dinners or backyard barbecues.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1/4 cup (85 g) honey
  • 1 tablespoon chipotle powder
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional: dash of liquid smoke or smoked sea salt for extra smokiness

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, chipotle powder, minced garlic, lime juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. This mixture will double as your glaze later. (About 5 minutes)
  2. Marinate the chicken: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Place them in a large zip-top bag or shallow dish, pour half the marinade over, and massage it in. Let sit for 20–30 minutes at room temperature or up to 2 hours in the fridge for deeper flavor.
  3. Preheat the grill: Heat your grill to medium-high, around 400°F (204°C). Make sure the grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.
  4. Grill the chicken: Place thighs skin-side down on the grill. Cook for 6-7 minutes without moving to get a nice sear. Flip and cook for another 5-6 minutes. Start basting with reserved marinade every 2 minutes to build that sticky glaze layer.
  5. Check for doneness: Use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part (not touching bone) aiming for 165°F (74°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, pierce the thickest part and ensure juices run clear.
  6. Rest the chicken: Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to lock in juices and finish setting the glaze.

Notes

Keep the grill lid closed as much as possible to maintain heat and encourage caramelization. Avoid flipping the chicken too often to ensure crispy skin. If glaze starts to burn, lower heat and baste gently to rebuild the sticky coating. Let chicken rest after grilling for juicier meat. For indoor cooking, add smoked paprika or liquid smoke to mimic grill flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey chipotle chicken, grilled chicken thighs, sticky glaze chicken, easy chicken recipe, smoky chicken, quick dinner, barbecue chicken

Find it online: https://bitefuljoy.com/flavorful-honey-chipotle-grilled-chicken-thighs-easy-sticky-glaze-recipe/