Description
Mango Chicken is a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring tender boneless chicken thighs marinated in a sweet and tangy mango chutney infused with aromatic spices and fresh herbs. Perfectly grilled to achieve a smoky char and juicy finish, this recipe is a quick and easy hit for barbecue lovers, ideal for serving with fresh vegetables or a crisp salad.
Ingredients
Chicken and Marinade
- 600g boneless chicken thighs
- 200g mango chutney
- 6 fresh coriander sprigs, leaves picked and finely chopped
- 6 leaf parsley sprigs, leaves picked and finely chopped
- 1/4 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Olive oil, for drizzling and rubbing the grill plate
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Trim the chicken: Remove any excess fat from the boneless chicken thighs to ensure even cooking and a leaner result.
- Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, combine the mango chutney, finely chopped coriander and parsley leaves, ground turmeric, and ground cumin. Mix thoroughly to create a well-balanced, flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and turn them well to coat thoroughly with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow flavors to penetrate. If making double portions, freeze the extra chicken with marinade uncooked for future use.
- Preheat the grill: Heat a barbecue grill plate or chargrill pan over medium heat. This ensures the pan is hot enough to sear the chicken and impart that grilled smoky flavor.
- Season the chicken: Just before cooking, squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the marinated chicken and sprinkle a little salt to enhance the dish’s brightness and seasoning.
- Oil the grill plate: Using a paper towel, rub a small amount of olive oil onto the hot grill plate to prevent sticking and promote even browning.
- Cook the chicken: Place the chicken thighs on the grill plate and cook for a minimum of 5 minutes on each side until each piece is browned, charred in spots, and cooked through to a safe internal temperature.
- Rest the chicken: Transfer the cooked chicken to a warm plate, loosely cover with foil, and let it rest for 10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute, resulting in juicy and tender meat.
- Serve: Accompany the mango chicken with fresh vegetables or a light salad for a delicious, balanced meal.
Notes
- Marinating overnight intensifies the flavor and tenderness but a minimum of 4 hours works well.
- The marinade with mango chutney provides both sweetness and tang; feel free to adjust chutney quantity to taste.
- Ensuring the grill pan is well oiled and hot helps achieve the perfect char without sticking.
- Resting the chicken after cooking improves juiciness.
- Can be served with steamed vegetables, rice, or a fresh green salad for an easy complete meal.
- Freezing extra marinated chicken uncooked is a great way to prep meals ahead.
