Everyday Broiled Chicken Thighs

Are you ready for a recipe that will become an instant favorite in your dinner rotation? These broiled chicken thighs are tender, juicy, and flavored with a simple but delicious marinade that will compliment so many meals.  This is a recipe destined to become your everyday “house” chicken!

A mix of lime, smoked paprika, garlic, and a few other spices makes for a deeply flavorful chicken with warm and smoky notes and hints of fresh citrus.  This marinade makes chicken thighs that can stand alone as a main dish or be added to bowls, salads, tacos, or sandwiches.

Ingredients

I include ingredient notes here when I think they’ll be helpful, including ways to source, any preparation tips, or why I've chosen a particular ingredient. Be sure to check out the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and their quantities!

• Lime - Use one whole lime to get about 1 teaspoon of zest and 2 tablespoons of juice.  Always remember to zest the lime before juicing it!
• Smoked Paprika - This is a bold spice with delicious smoky notes that I often add to flavor meats from beef to chicken to shrimp. 
• Garlic Powder - Using fresh garlic would be a great option, but the beauty of this recipe is that you can throw the marinade together in minutes, no chopping needed.  Garlic powder does the job with zero fuss.
• Chili Powder - Chili powder is a blend of ground, dried chilis and other spices.  It varies greatly from brand to brand, so find a version you love and stick with it. 
• Cumin - A deep, earthy, and slightly smoky spice, I use cumin in so many marinades and recipes.  It may be my favorite spice (if I were pressed to name just one)!
• Chicken Thighs - Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for this recipe for the most accurate cooking times.  Chicken thighs have a mix of dark and light meat and I find them to be a more tender and juicy option than your standard chicken breasts.

Instructions

If you have time, give this chicken the full 30 minutes (or more) to marinate.  Have I ever moved straight from coating the chicken to the broiler?  Absolutely, and the chicken is still packed with flavor.  We’re just doing what we can for weeknight dinners, right?

Zest the lime and add the juice to a medium bowl along with the spices, salt, and olive oil.  Mix the marinade well.

Add the chicken thighs and coat them completely with the marinade.  Transfer the bowl to the refrigerator and marinate the chicken for 30 minutes.

Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil.  Place a cooling rack over the foil so that the chicken will be elevated over the sheet pan. Adjust your oven racks so that the top of the wire rack is about six inches from the heating element or gas flame.  Preheat your broiler for 5 minutes.

Place the marinated chicken over the rack in a single layer, making sure the thighs are laid as flat as possible.

Broil the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side.  The chicken will char around the edges but stay juicy inside.  Once it has cooked on both sides, remove the pan from the oven and let the chicken rest on the rack for 5 minutes.

Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and slice or cube the chicken for serving.

Equipment

You’ll want a wire rack that fits well inside your sheet pan to collect any drips and elevate the chicken above the sheet pan a bit.

Serving Suggestions

These broiled chicken thighs are perfect for a simple main dish with pressure cooker mashed potatoes, roast potatoes, rice, or pasta.  Most often, though, this chicken finds its way into tacos or burritos.  Top the chicken with shredded cabbage, sour cream, salsa, and cilantro for easy and tasty tacos.

Having some leftover sliced chicken on hand makes simple but filling lunch salads so easy!  With a base of your favorite greens and any veggies you have available, you’ll have a satisfying lunch in minutes.

Make This Recipe Kid Friendly

This chicken is flavorful but not overpowering for kid palates.  The most popular way to serve this chicken to my kids is to offer it as part of a DIY platter.  Add shredded cheese, beans, rice, salsa, sour cream, and more as options and to let the kids build their own burrito bowls.

DIY dinners are one of my favorite strategies for keeping the peace at dinnertime and feeding picky eaters.

Storage and Make-Ahead Options

Store your cooked and cooled chicken in an airtight container for up to three days.  Slice or cube the chicken for meal prep meals throughout the week!

If you’d like to get a head start on your dinner in the morning, marinate the chicken and allow it to chill in the refrigerator during the day.  Just be sure to cover your bowl with plastic wrap to avoid the whole refrigerator smelling garlicky!