How long should I marinate the chicken for best flavor?

I recommend marinating at least 1 hour for noticeable flavor and up to 6 hours for deeper infusion. If I have the time, I’ll marinate overnight for maximum depth, but avoid more than 12 hours to prevent texture changes.

Can I use the reserved marinade as a sauce?

I never pour raw reserved marinade directly over cooked chicken. If I want to use it as a sauce, I bring it to a rolling boil for several minutes to kill bacteria, or I set aside a separate portion before adding raw chicken and reserve that for finishing.

What internal temperature should the chicken reach?

I cook until the thickest part reaches 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer. Then I remove it from the grill and let it rest a few minutes so juices redistribute.

How do I make the charred lime crema without a grill?

I char limes under a hot broiler or on a cast-iron skillet for a minute or two per side. Then I squeeze the juices into sour cream or yogurt and whisk with zest and salt for that smoky-tang finish.

What swaps work if I don’t have mezcal?

I substitute tequila or a splash of smoked paprika plus a hint of liquid smoke for the smoky character. For a non-alcohol option, I increase lime zest and add a small pinch of smoked paprika.

Can I make this recipe less spicy for kids?

I reduce or omit hot sauce and sambal oelek, and add a touch more honey or mango to balance acidity. The crema also helps tame heat, so I serve it generously alongside the chicken.

How do I safely handle the reserved marinade for grilling?

I reserve a cup of the prepared marinade before adding raw chicken. Any marinade that’s touched raw meat I either discard or boil for at least 5 minutes before using as a glaze or sauce.

What are good side dishes and wine pairings?

I serve rice, charred greens, or cauliflower rice to balance flavors. For wine, I prefer Gewürztraminer or Sauvignon Blanc to match the fruit and tame heat.

How should I store and reheat leftovers?

I refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container within two hours and use them within 3–4 days. To reheat without drying, I gently warm in a low oven (300°F) covered with foil or slice and warm briefly in a skillet with a splash of oil or broth.

Can I grill this on a stovetop grill pan and what heat should I use?

Yes. I use a cast-iron or grill pan over medium heat, preheat until hot, brush with oil, and cook the chicken, flipping once, until the internal temperature is 165°F. Medium heat prevents burning while building good char.

Spicy Mango Mezcal Chicken with Charred Lime Crema Recipe

Description

Bold weeknight grilled chicken with a bright mango-mezcal marinade and cool charred lime crema. Crafted for discerning home chefs seeking restaurant-quality results with pantry staples and fast preparation.

Ingredients

Scale

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 cup diced fresh mango

1/4 cup mezcal

1/4 cup honey

2 tablespoons hot sauce

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 lime (zest and juice)

Salt and pepper to taste

For Charred Lime Crema:

1/2 cup sour cream

1 lime (zested and juiced)

2 tablespoons finely chopped charred lime

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh cilantro for garnish

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Instructions

1. Blend marinade ingredients (mango, mezcal, honey, hot sauce, chili powder, cumin, olive oil, lime zest and juice, salt and pepper) until smooth

2. Reserve 1/4 cup marinade before adding chicken

3. Marinate chicken breasts 1-4 hours in remaining marinade

4. Preheat grill to medium heat

5. Remove chicken from marinade and grill 8-10 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F

6. Char lime halves cut-side down on grill during last few minutes

7. Bring reserved marinade to rolling boil for 5 minutes if using as sauce

8. Whisk sour cream with charred lime juice, zest, and seasonings for crema

9. Rest chicken 5 minutes, then slice

10. Serve topped with charred lime crema and fresh cilantro

Notes

Always reserve marinade before it touches raw chicken for safe finishing sauce use.

Marinate 1-4 hours for best flavor without over-tenderizing.

Medium grill heat prevents burning the sugars while achieving proper caramelization.

Boil any marinade that contacted raw chicken for at least 5 minutes before serving.

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Prep Time: 15
Cook Time: 20
Category: elegant-entrees
Method: grilling
Cuisine: Latin-inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1
Calories: 285
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 320mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 32g
Cholesterol: 85mg