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Honey chipotle chicken thighs on round grill grates with caramelized glaze, showing final grilling stage and perfect caramelization

Honey Chipotle Grilled Chicken Thighs

Sweet and spicy bone-in chicken thighs with homemade honey chipotle sauce featuring chipotle peppers, honey, and aromatic spices. Includes both grill and oven methods.
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Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • - 3 lbs bone-in chicken thighs
  • - Salt pepper, and garlic powder for seasoning
  • - 5 tablespoons olive oil
  • - 5 tablespoons chipotle peppers in adobo minced
  • - 7-8 tablespoons honey about ½ cup
  • - 5 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • - 6-7 garlic cloves minced
  • - 2½ teaspoons smoked paprika
  • - 2½ teaspoons chili powder
  • - 2½ teaspoons cumin
  • - 2½ teaspoons onion powder
  • - 2½ teaspoons salt
  • - 1 teaspoon black pepper

Method
 

  1. Make honey chipotle sauce by combining all sauce ingredients. Reserve ½ cup for basting.
  2. Season chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Marinate in sauce 30 minutes to 4 hours.
  3. GRILL METHOD: Set up indirect heat (350-375°F). Cook skin-up 20-25 minutes, then direct heat 5-8 minutes, basting frequently.
  4. OVEN METHOD: Preheat to 425°F. Place on wire rack over baking sheet. Bake 25-30 minutes, baste, continue 5-10 minutes.
  5. Cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Baste with reserved sauce during final minutes.
  6. Rest 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs.

Notes

- Bone-in thighs stay more moist than boneless
- Reserve sauce for basting to prevent burning
- Both grill and oven methods work perfectly
- Adjust chipotle peppers to heat preference

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