Killer Chicken Thigh Marinade (Printable Version)

Bold marinade transforming thighs into juicy perfection for grilling or roasting.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (approximately 2.5 pounds)

→ Marinade

02 - 1/4 cup olive oil
03 - 1/4 cup soy sauce (gluten-free if needed)
04 - 3 tablespoons honey
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
06 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
08 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
09 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
10 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
11 - 1 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, honey, lemon juice, garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl until thoroughly combined.
02 - Add chicken thighs to the marinade, turning to coat each piece completely. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight for maximum flavor penetration.
03 - Preheat grill, oven, or skillet to medium-high heat (approximately 400°F).
04 - Lift chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Discard used marinade safely.
05 - Place chicken skin-side down and cook for 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and skin becomes crisp and caramelized.
06 - Transfer chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The balance of sweet honey and savory soy creates incredible caramelization on the skin
  • One bowl whisked together in under ten minutes with ingredients you probably have
  • Works on any cooking method so you can make this year round regardless of weather
02 -
  • The honey in this marinade can burn if your heat is too high, so watch closely and move chicken to a cooler spot if needed
  • Patting the skin slightly dry before cooking helps it crisp up better, especially if you marinated for a long time
  • Never reuse the marinade that raw chicken has soaked in, but you can make a separate batch to brush on during cooking if you want extra sauce
03 -
  • Use a resealable plastic bag for marinating instead of a bowl, the chicken stays more evenly coated and takes up less fridge space
  • Bring the chicken to room temperature for about 20 minutes before cooking for more even results

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