Grilled Chicken Thighs with Mango-Ancho Sauce

Prepare the Mango-Ancho Sauce: In a small food processor, combine the diced mango, lime juice, honey, ancho chile powder, and salt. Pulse until completely smooth. (5 minutes)

Create the Marinade: Remove 1/4 cup of the mango-ancho sauce to a small bowl. Whisk in the rice wine vinegar and olive oil until well combined. This will be your marinade.

Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Drizzle the mango-ancho marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, for maximum flavor penetration.

Prepare for Grilling: Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 20 minutes before grilling to allow it to come to room temperature. This will ensure more even cooking. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting any excess drip off. Season the chicken on both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Discard the remaining marinade.

Grill the Chicken: Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat (about 375-450°F or 190-230°C) and lightly oil the grate to prevent sticking. (5 minutes)

Grill the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs on the hot grill, skin-side down. Grill for 3-4 minutes, or until the skin is nicely browned and slightly crispy. Flip the chicken over and grill on the other side for another 3-4 minutes.

Continue Grilling: Continue flipping the chicken every 3-4 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone reads 165°F (74°C). This should take approximately 22-25 minutes in total.

Glaze with Mango-Ancho Sauce: Turn the grill to low heat. Brush both sides of the chicken with the reserved mango-ancho sauce. Grill for an additional 1-2 minutes per side, allowing the sauce to caramelize slightly. Watch carefully to prevent burning.

Serve: Remove the grilled chicken thighs from the grill and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful chicken. Serve immediately and Enjoy!