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Crispy Chili Lime Chicken Thighs

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Crispy skin chicken thighs with a zesty chili lime glaze that is quick and easy to make, perfect for busy weeknights and crowd-pleasing dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs / 700 g)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (from about 2 limes)
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder (mild to medium heat)
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • A handful of fresh cilantro, chopped (optional for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, chili powder, and smoked paprika. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together minced garlic, lime juice, honey, and a pinch of salt to make the glaze. Set aside.
  3. Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking (about 2 minutes).
  4. Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the pan. Press lightly with tongs to ensure good contact. Cook without moving for 7-8 minutes until skin is deep golden brown and crispy.
  5. Flip the thighs over and reduce heat to medium. Spoon the chili lime glaze over the chicken and let it bubble and caramelize for 5-6 minutes until thickened and sticky.
  6. Check doneness with a meat thermometer (165°F / 74°C) or pierce the thickest part to ensure juices run clear.
  7. Transfer chicken to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro before serving.

Notes

Dry chicken skin thoroughly before cooking for extra crispiness. Let chicken rest after cooking to redistribute juices. If glaze isn’t thickening enough, remove chicken and simmer glaze alone until syrupy, then return chicken to coat. Avoid flipping chicken too soon to prevent tearing skin. For oven method, sear skin-side down 5 minutes then bake at 425°F for 15 minutes, brushing glaze halfway through.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken thighs, crispy chicken, chili lime chicken, easy dinner, weeknight recipe, pan-fry chicken, zesty glaze, honey glaze, gluten-free

Find it online: https://yumyep.com/crispy-chili-lime-chicken-thighs-recipe-easy-5-step-zesty-glaze/