Description

This Citrus Chicken Marinade blends orange and lime juice with honey, garlic, and herbs to create a bright, zesty flavor. It tenderizes and glazes the chicken perfectly while doubling as a basting sauce and a finishing drizzle for serving over rice and beans.

Ingredients

2 large oranges (zest and juice)

2 large limes (zest and juice)

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

4 teaspoons reduced-sodium soy sauce

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1–1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs

1 (15.5-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed

Cooked rice, for serving

1 large avocado, optional (for topping)

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Instructions

Zest the oranges and limes (about 1 teaspoon each), then juice them to yield approximately 1/3 cup orange juice and 2 tablespoons lime juice.
Trim and cube the chicken thighs into 1-inch pieces.
In a blender, combine orange juice, lime juice, zests, cilantro, soy sauce, honey, mustard, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth, about 45 seconds.
Set aside 1/3 cup of the marinade for serving and 3 tablespoons for basting. Pour the remaining marinade over the cubed chicken in a resealable bag. Seal and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 3 hours.
Preheat the broiler to high and line a baking sheet with foil.
Remove chicken from marinade and thread onto skewers. Discard used marinade.
Broil for about 12 minutes, turning once, until chicken is golden and reaches 160°F.
Brush the reserved 3 tablespoons of marinade over the hot chicken.
Mix black beans with a few spoonfuls of the reserved sauce and stir some into rice for added flavor.
Serve the chicken over rice and beans, topped with diced avocado and drizzled with the remaining sauce.

Notes

Use chicken breasts instead of thighs for a leaner option.

Grill over medium-high heat (400–450°F) for 4–5 minutes per side for a smoky flavor.

Add fresh ginger or chili flakes for extra zest and spice.

Make it vegetarian by substituting tofu or tempeh for chicken.

Simmer the reserved sauce to thicken it before drizzling over the dish.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Broiled or Grilled
Cuisine: Fusion

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 370
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 530mg
Fat: 17g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 13g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 34g
Cholesterol: 105mg