Achiote Chicken

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Prep Time: 10

Marinating Time: 3

Total Time: 3 10

Servings: people

Calories: 422kcal

Author: Platings and Pairings

Your summer grilling season just isn’t complete without this Achiote Chicken recipe. Chicken thighs are marinated in a bold and vibrant achiote marinade, then grilled until charred on the outside and succulent on the inside. Enjoy the chicken with rice or stuff it into tacos, burritos, and other Mexican favorites!

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Ingredients

1 ½ pounds chicken thighs boneless and skinless, approximately 6 medium chicken thighs
4 cloves garlic peeled
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 ½ Tablespoons achiote paste
¼ cup orange juice
2 Tablespoons lime juice about 1 large lime
2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Puree garlic, olive oil, achiote paste, orange juice, lime juice, vinegar, and spices in a blender or food processor.
Put chicken in a large ziploc bag and add marinade. Place in refrigerator and allow to marinate for 3 to 24 hours.
Preheat your grill (or grill pan) to medium-high heat (around 350-degrees). Remove chicken from marinade and shake off any extra marinade. Place on the grill grates. Let chicken cook for 5-6 minutes with the grill cover closed to maintain the heat. Use tongs to flip the chicken thighs. Cook for an additional 5-6 minutes. Use a digital thermometer to make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Notes

Tips and tricks

Take the marinated chicken out of the fridge while the grill is preheating. Room temperature chicken will always cook more evenly and faster than cold chicken.
Use a digital meat thermometer to make sure your chicken thighs are perfectly cooked. You’ll know they’re done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Let the chicken rest for 5 to 10 minutes after cooking. This helps the juices redistribute throughout the meat, keeping it moist and flavorful.
Any leftover marinade should be discarded since raw chicken can contain unsafe bacteria.

Nutrition