Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Citrus Marinade
- Juice and zest of 2 oranges
- Juice and zest of 2 lemons
- Juice and zest of 2 limes
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Citrus Glaze
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- Red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)
To Serve
- Fresh herbs (such as parsley or cilantro), chopped, for garnish
- Extra citrus slices
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a mixing bowl, combine the juice and zest of the oranges, lemons, and limes. Add minced garlic, olive oil, honey, and salt and pepper to taste. Whisk until everything is well blended and smooth.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts or thighs in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the citrus marinade over the chicken, tossing to ensure all pieces are evenly coated. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to infuse.
- Prepare the Glaze: In a small saucepan, combine orange juice, honey, soy sauce, and cornstarch (plus red pepper flakes, if using). Whisk well to dissolve the cornstarch completely. Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the glaze thickens to a smooth, syrupy consistency, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high. Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
- Grill the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess marinade drip off. Place the chicken on the grill and cook for 6-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the chicken is golden and slightly charred.
- Apply the Glaze: In the last few minutes of grilling, brush the thickened glaze generously onto each side of the chicken. Flip once or twice to let the glaze caramelize slightly without burning.
- Serve: Transfer the grilled citrus chicken to a platter. Garnish with fresh herbs and extra citrus slices. Serve hot with your favorite sides like grilled vegetables, salad, or steamed rice.
Notes
- For the best flavor, marinate the chicken overnight if possible.
- Do not overcrowd the grill, as this ensures the chicken cooks evenly and achieves nice grill marks.
- Always use a meat thermometer to check doneness; don’t overcook to keep the chicken juicy.
- The glaze can also be used as a dipping sauce on the side.
- Thighs tend to stay juicier than breasts if you prefer dark meat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 2 hours marinating)
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast or thigh with glaze
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 490mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 85mg