Mango Chipotle Chicken Thighs with Cilantro-Lime Rice

Mango Chipotle Chicken Thighs with Cilantro-Lime Rice is a Mexican-inspired dish that combines the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors, offering a delightful culinary experience. This recipe highlights tender, oven-baked chicken thighs that are bathed in a rich, smoky chipotle sauce made with sweet mango nectar, garlic, onions, and a touch of honey. Paired with a refreshing cilantro-lime flavored rice, this dish brings together bold flavors and comforting textures, making it an ideal choice for an easy yet impressive dinner.

The Chicken Thighs

At the heart of this recipe are the Mango Chipotle Chicken Thighs, which are first seared to lock in their juices, ensuring a tender and flavorful result. The chicken is cooked in a hot skillet until the skin becomes golden brown and slightly crispy, creating a delicious contrast to the tender meat underneath.

The smoky and sweet chipotle sauce is the key to this dish’s unique flavor. It’s started by sautéing onions and garlic in the same skillet, allowing them to soak up the flavors left behind by the chicken. Mango nectar is then added, bringing a natural sweetness that is balanced by the heat of the rehydrated chipotle peppers. The sauce is further enhanced with a touch of honey for sweetness, soy sauce for umami depth, apple cider vinegar for a tangy element, and lime juice for a zesty finish. This combination creates a sweet and smoky sauce that coats the chicken thighs as they bake in the oven, infusing them with rich, complex flavors.

The Cilantro-Lime Rice

The Cilantro-Lime Rice is a simple yet flavorful accompaniment to the bold chicken. Basmati rice is cooked until fluffy and then infused with the bright flavors of fresh lime juice, lime zest, and chopped cilantro. The citrusy notes of the rice provide a refreshing contrast to the sweet and spicy chicken, making each bite a harmonious blend of flavors. This cilantro-lime flavored rice is the perfect bed for the chicken thighs, absorbing the tangy sauce and enhancing the overall experience of the dish.

To serve, the Cilantro-Lime Rice is spooned onto plates or into bowls, creating a base for the succulent chicken thighs. The Mango Chipotle Chicken Thighs are placed on top, allowing the smoky chipotle sauce to drizzle over the rice. The dish is finished with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, adding a salty, savory richness, and freshly chopped cilantro for a burst of color and herbal freshness.

A Feast of Flavors

This Mexican-inspired chicken recipe is a feast of flavors. The combination of sweet mango, smoky chipotle, and tangy lime creates a dynamic and exciting flavor profile that is both satisfying and memorable. Whether you’re looking for an easy chicken dinner idea or a dish to impress your guests, Mango Chipotle Chicken Thighs with Cilantro-Lime Rice delivers on all fronts with its bold flavors and comforting appeal.

Mango Chipotle Chicken Thighs with Cilantro-Lime Rice

Recipe by Kyle Taylor

5.0 from 1 vote

Course: MainCuisine: MexicanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

45

minutes

Total time

1

hour 

Mango Chipotle Chicken Thighs with Cilantro-Lime Rice is a flavorful dish featuring tender, oven-baked chicken thighs in a sweet and smoky mango-chipotle sauce, served over zesty cilantro-lime rice and finished with Parmesan cheese and fresh cilantro.

Ingredients

• For the Chicken Thighs

• 3 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

• 2 cups mango nectar

• 3 dried chipotle peppers, rehydrated and chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 large onions, quartered

• 1 lime, juiced

• 2 tablespoon soy sauce

• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

• 2 tablespoons honey

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 1 cup chicken broth

• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

• for garnish, freshly chopped cilantro

• for serving, lime wedges

• For the Cilantro-Lime Rice

• 1 cup basmati rice

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

• 1 lime, juiced and zested

• 1 tablespoon cilantro, freshly chopped

• to taste, salt

Directions

• Cook the Rice:
  Rinse 1 cup of basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the rice and a pinch of salt, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed.
  
  Remove from heat and let the rice sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, then stir in the extra virgin olive oil, the juice and zest of 1 lime, and the freshly chopped cilantro. Season with salt to taste.
• Sear the Chicken:
  Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat in a large oven-safe skillet. Season 3 pounds of chicken thighs with salt and ground black pepper. Sear the chicken thighs skin-side down until golden brown and crispy, 4-5 minutes. Flip and sear the other side for 2-3 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
• Prepare the Sauce:
  To the same skillet, add the quartered onions and sauté until they begin to soften, 2-3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
  
  Pour in the mango nectar, rehydrated and chopped chipotle peppers, chicken broth, soy sauce, 1 apple cider vinegar, lime juice, and honey. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5-10 minutes, allowing it to reduce and thicken slightly.
• Bake the Chicken:
  Return the seared chicken thighs to the skillet, skin-side up, nestling them into the sauce and onions.
  Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
• Finish and Serve:
  Spoon the cilantro-lime rice onto plates or into bowls. Place the baked chicken thighs on top of the rice. Spoon the sauce and onions from the skillet over the chicken and rice. Finish by sprinkling freshly chopped cilantro and crumbled cotija cheese over the top. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

Notes

• Variation: For a smokier, spicier flavor, replace the chicken broth with the liquid used to rehydrate the chipotle peppers in the sauce.

SUGGESTED CHICKEN RECIPES:

Honey Chipotle Chicken with Garlic Mashed Roasted Potatoes

Looking for a sweet and smoky twist on a classic chicken dish? Try Honey Chipotle Chicken with Garlic Mashed Roasted Potatoes. The honey adds a touch of sweetness that balances the heat of the chipotle peppers, while the garlic mashed roasted potatoes provide a creamy, savory side that perfectly complements the bold flavors of the chicken.

Mango-Coconut Braised Chicken Thighs

For a tropical twist on a classic dish, try Mango-Coconut Braised Chicken Thighs. The chicken is slow-cooked in a rich sauce made from sweet mango and creamy coconut milk, resulting in tender, flavorful thighs that melt in your mouth. This dish offers a perfect balance of sweetness and savory notes, making it a delightful and exotic addition to your meal rotation. Serve it with jasmine rice or a light salad for a satisfying dinner.

Tamarind Chicken Thighs with Cauliflower Lime Rice

Experience the tangy and slightly sweet flavors of tamarind in this unique dish. Tamarind Chicken Thighs with Cauliflower Lime Rice offers a deliciously different take on chicken, with the tamarind sauce adding a complex depth of flavor that pairs perfectly with the fresh, citrusy notes of cauliflower lime rice.