I’m always looking for different ways to cook chicken thighs. I really have a special connection with my oven and the way that it makes the chicken sooo crispy and juicy. Who would have known in the last year or so I was such a thigh person? Well there is Popeye’s fried chicken. Oh, and Publix. Sorry, getting a little distracted here!
This recipe is so simple. I actually told myself that I would be able to kill two birds with one stone if I let the chicken marinate while I cleaned the kitchen. Well you know that clearly the chicken had a lot of time to get the flavors of the tequila, lime and garlic infused because my kitchen was a disaster. I would rather cook and eat any day. Cleaning? I find myself saying I have to do x first, and then I can do y. First clean the kitchen, then I can go to the store. Seriously I have to implement these rules for myself when it comes to cleaning the kitchen because it’s so not fun! Hey, we all have our weird things right?
If you don’t want to use your oven you can instead throw these bad boys on the grill! You will definitely get a nice char and crunch to the chicken!
What is your favorite side dish to eat with tequila lime chicken? Comment below!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds bone-in, skin on chicken thighs (about 5 thighs)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Lime wedges, for garnishing
- Chopped cilantro, for garnishing
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup tequila
- Zest and Juice from 1 lime
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425. Line a large baking dish with aluminum foil and place a cooking rack on top. Spray non-stick spray onto cooking rack.
- In a large bowl, mix garlic, olive oil, tequila, lime zest, lime juice, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper. Add chicken and cover chicken with marinade.
- Place chicken on cooking rack. Cook for 20 minutes. Turn temperature down to 400 and continue cooking chicken for 40 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
Notes
Adapted from Rasa Malaysia
How long do you leave the chicken in the marinade?
I left it in the marinade for about 20 minutes. The original recipe mentioned 15 minutes to 2 hours but I was starving so I had to cook it sooner. I’m sure the longer the better 🙂