Grilled Mango Chicken

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Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings 4

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Grilled Mango Chicken is a refreshing and smoky summer meal with a tropical twist! Easy to make with a mango-soy sauce marinade and boneless chicken thighs, this is one recipe you need on your summer grilling list.

mango chicken thighs on a plate

I’ve said it in my Mango Chicken Salad recipe and I’ll say it again: chicken and mangos are meant for each other! When they get together, it’s like a sweet and savory flavor explosion! It’s also a must-have combo for summer. 

It’s no surprise that they’re back together again in this Grilled Mango Chicken recipe. Boneless chicken thighs soak up the mango-soy sauce marinade for hours before they’re thrown onto a hot grill. When they’re done, you’re left with a juicy, charred dinner with a tropical twist.

It all comes together in no time too. Blend up the 5-ingredient mango chicken marinade, pour it over the chicken, and grill the next day! It’s the perfect summer dinner that needs to make an appearance at your next barbecue.

Recipe features

  • The ultimate sweet and savory recipe for summer grilling!
  • The mango marinade is easy to put together with just 5 ingredients.
  • Every bite is refreshing, tangy, savory, and smoky.
grilled chicken thighs coated in a mango marinade

Ingredient notes:

  • Chicken – I only tested this recipe with boneless chicken thighs but chicken breasts should work just as well.
  • Soy sauce – Or use tamari for gluten free.
  • Mangos – Mangos give the chicken marinade its star quality. Ripe mangos will have a slight give when you press on them, indicating a soft and juicy inside. Frozen mango works too! Just thaw the frozen chunks before blending.
  • Garlic and ginger – Preferably fresh for more pronounced flavors.
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Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Make the marinade. Blend the soy sauce, mangos, garlic, ginger, and water together. Reserve some of the sauce and pour the rest into a large plastic bag. Add the chicken thighs to the bag.

mango marinade in a blender on the left and chicken marinating in the marinade on the right

Step 2: Let the chicken marinate. Seal the bag shut and let the mango chicken marinate in the fridge overnight.

Step 3: Fire up the grill. Place the chicken on a hot grill and cook on both sides until they’re slightly charred and crisp.

grilled chicken thighs on a platter

Step 4: Add more sauce, then serve. Plate the grilled chicken and brush on the reserved mango sauce. Garnish with fresh cilantro, then serve and enjoy!

Tips and FAQs

  • The cook time was intended for marinated chicken thighs, not breasts. If you plan on using chicken breasts instead of thighs, you may need to grill them for a bit longer/shorter depending on the size (always check the internal temperature!).
  • Feel free to play with the ingredients in the mango marinade. Add some lime juice or zest, Sriracha or hot sauce, brown sugar or honey, jalapeños, Greek yogurt, coconut milk, pineapple, or fresh herbs.
  • Learn more secrets to perfectly grilled chicken over at my grilled chicken thighs recipe.

How long can you marinate chicken thighs?

Technically, you can leave the chicken thighs in the marinade for a minimum of 4 hours before cooking. However, if the best flavor is what you’re after, let the chicken marinate overnight.

Do not leave it for longer than 24 hours or else the meat will start to break down and become mealy.

What can you serve with mango chicken?

Keep the grill hot so you can serve this grilled corn kale salad and grilled asparagus pasta salad next to the mango chicken. Wash it all down with a mango margarita and finish the meal with mango mousse for dessert!

Storing

  • Refrigerator: Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the chicken in a baking dish and bake in a 350°F oven until warmed through.
close up photo of marinated chicken thighs with a few chunks of mango

More flavor-packed chicken dinners

If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks! 

5 from 10 votes

Grilled Mango Chicken

Servings: 4
Prep: 3 hours
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 3 hours 15 minutes
Grilled Mango Chicken is a refreshing and smoky summer meal with a tropical twist! Easy to make with a mango-soy sauce marinade and boneless chicken thighs, this is one recipe you need on your summer grilling list.

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Ingredients 

  • 2 lb. chicken thighs, boneless, skinless
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 2 mangos
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 1/2 tsp fresh ginger, grated
  • 2 tbsp water, or more as needed
  • cilantro for garnish

Instructions 

  • Add chicken to a plastic bag or a large baking dish; set aside.
  • Next, make the marinade: Add the soy sauce, mangos, garlic, ginger, and water to a small blender or food processor and pulse until smooth.
  • Reserve 1/4 cup of the sauce, then pour the rest over the chicken. Seal the bag shut and place it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or up to 8 hours.
  • To grill: Heat grill to 400°, then remove the chicken from the bag with tongs, shaking off any excess marinade. Grill the chicken for 6-7 minutes per side.
  • Once the chicken is done, place it on a serving platter or plate and brush it with the reserved sauce. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro (optional) and enjoy!

Notes

*Calories are per serving (approx. 2 chicken thighs) and are an estimation
*This recipe was intended for chicken thighs; if you want to grill chicken breasts, you may need to grill for more or less time depending on the size (always check the internal temperature!).
*Storage: store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days

Nutrition

Calories: 549kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 222mg | Sodium: 1799mg | Potassium: 536mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 202IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 2mg
Did you make this?Leave a comment and star rating below!
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Welcome! I’m Erin, author of the Almond Eater.

Here, you'll find recipes for all diet types, because I believe that healthy food should be delicious without being complicated.

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16 Comments

  1. Aley says:

    Can it be cooked in a slow cooker? I would love to give it a try 🙂

    1. Erin says:

      I would think so, though you’ll need to add more liquid (either water or chicken broth). Cook on low heat for 3-4 hours for boneless thighs. But, I haven’t tested this myself, so let me know how it turns out!

  2. LA LA Kitty says:

    I find the recipe bland. It needs something tangy to make it great. I finished the chicken off the grill with lime juice which made it a little better. I won’t make this again. Nice try though!

    1. Erin says:

      Lime juice is a great idea! Sorry you didn’t love it as much as I do.

  3. Michelle Mendoza says:

    5 stars
    This was sooooo delicious.
    I added half a jalapeno, honey and the zest and juice of a lime. I’ll be making this again for sure. I garnished with avocado and cilantro as well.

    1. Erin says:

      Thanks for the 5-star rating, Michelle!

  4. Mia says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely Delicious

    1. Erin says:

      Thanks Mia! Glad you loved the chicken!

  5. Steve Finnerty says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely my favourite mango chicken now ….added zest and juice of one lime to boost the flavour
    Steve

    1. Erin says:

      Thanks Steve! Glad you loved the chicken!

  6. Parker says:

    5 stars
    This was so tasty! We skewered the chicken with peppers and onions and it was wonderful! And that sauce was amazing!

    1. Erin says:

      Thanks Parker! Glad you enjoyed the chicken!

  7. Lynette says:

    5 stars
    My family loved this chicken. I made it with chicken breasts I didn’t have fresh cilantro, so added some to the reserved sauce from the squeeze tube cilantro. I garnished with scallions and diced mango. Chicken came out nice and juicy. I also did some vege chicken in the marinade it was yummy too. thanks for a good recipe. will make again.

    1. Erin says:

      That sounds delicious — I’m happy you liked the chicken!

  8. Karen Bartlett says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious!!!! I loved every bite…I would have liked the pan if someone hadn’t washed it before I could!!!

    1. Erin says:

      Wooohooo — this is one of my favorite summertime recipes, too. Thanks Karen!