Description
This Spicy Grilled Mango Chicken recipe features juicy boneless, skinless chicken breasts marinated in a vibrant, sweet and spicy mango-based sauce. The marinade combines ripe mangoes, lime juice, honey, and a blend of chili powder, cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper for a flavorful kick. Grilled to perfection, this dish is garnished with fresh cilantro and served with lime wedges, making it a refreshing and delicious meal perfect for outdoor barbecues or a flavorful weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Marinade
- 2 ripe mangoes, peeled, pitted, and diced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for spice preference)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Garnish
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a blender, combine the diced mangoes, olive oil, lime juice, honey, minced garlic, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Blend the mixture until smooth to create a flavorful and spicy mango marinade.
- Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the mango marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are completely coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to fully penetrate the meat.
- Preheat the grill: Heat your grill to medium-high. Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent the chicken from sticking during cooking.
- Prepare chicken for grilling: Remove the chicken breasts from the marinade, letting any excess marinade drip off. Keep the leftover marinade for basting while grilling.
- Grill the chicken: Place the chicken breasts on the grill and cook for 6 to 7 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Baste during grilling: Occasionally brush the chicken with the reserved marinade throughout the grilling process to enhance moisture and infuse additional flavor.
- Rest the chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes, allowing the juices to redistribute.
- Serve and garnish: Garnish the grilled chicken with freshly chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side for a zesty finish.
Notes
- For best results, marinate the chicken overnight to maximize flavor absorption.
- You can adjust the cayenne pepper to control the heat level of the dish.
- Ensure the grill is well oiled to prevent chicken from sticking and tearing.
- Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken is cooked through to the safe internal temperature.
- This recipe pairs well with a fresh green salad or grilled vegetables for a complete meal.
