This chili citrus chicken thigh recipe was inspired by a friend. She used orange zest and marmalade, but I didn’t have either of those things. And, I’m not a fan of marmalade anyway. I figured lime would do just as well.
The citrus gives it a bit of a tang, the chili garlic sauce adds heat, and the honey adds a touch of sweetness to balance the flavors.
It’s a pretty easy, hands-off recipe. First, you mix the marinade, pour it over the chicken, and let it sit for half an hour or so. Then, bake the chicken, reserving the marinade mixture. Boil that separately and pour it over the chicken when it’s done. I have a tiny saucepan that’s perfect for this. If you don’t have one, pour the marinade over the chicken about halfway through the cooking time (you want it to cook thoroughly, but you also don’t want the citrus to burn).
Chili Citrus Chicken Thigh Recipe for One Person
Spicy, sweet, tangy chili citrus chicken thigh recipe for one person

Ingredients
- one chicken thigh
- 1/2 tsp lime juice
- 1/2 tsp grated lime zest
- 1/2 tsp honey
- 2T olive oil
- 1/4 tsp dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp chili garlic sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Mix everything (except the chicken) together in a small bowl.
- Add the chicken thigh, turn it over to get thoroughly coated, and let it marinate for half an hour,
- Place the chicken on a small roasting pan and bake for an hour.
- When the chicken is nearly done, pour the remaining marinade in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce it until it gets thick.
- Take the chicken out of the oven, and place it on your dinner plate. Pour the marinade over the chicken.
Tools and Ingredients for Making Chili Citrus Chicken
Farberware Classic Stainless Steel 5/8-Quart Butter Warmer
A small saucepan may seem like an odd thing, but it’s really very useful, and for far more than just melting butter. It’s great for the marinade in this recipe, as well as for heating or melting small amounts of other ingredients, such as chocolate, cheese (for mac and cheese), and making sauces. The pot is also the perfect size for heating milk to make hot cocoa.
Huy Fong Chili Garlic Sauce 18 Oz
I know sriracha is what’s popular, and I love that too, but I just can’t get enough of this chili garlic sauce. It’s great for chicken, meatloaf, chili chicken wings, omelettes, and on a burger instead of ketchup.
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