Grilled Mango Chicken Tropical Barbecue (Printable)
Juicy chicken grilled with sweet mango marinade for tropical barbecue flavor.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.3 pounds)
→ Mango Marinade
02 - 1 large ripe mango, peeled and diced
03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 2 tablespoons lime juice (about 1 lime)
05 - 2 tablespoons honey
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
08 - 1 teaspoon chili flakes (optional, for heat)
09 - 1 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
→ Garnish
11 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
12 - Lime wedges, for serving
# Directions:
01 - In a blender or food processor, combine mango, olive oil, lime juice, honey, garlic, ginger, chili flakes, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth to make the marinade.
02 - Reserve 1/4 cup of the marinade for brushing and serving.
03 - Place chicken breasts in a large resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour remaining marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (up to overnight for deeper flavor).
04 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Lightly oil the grates.
05 - Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Discard used marinade.
06 - Grill chicken for 6–8 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F, brushing with reserved marinade during the last 2 minutes of grilling.
07 - Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes.
08 - Slice and garnish with chopped cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The mango creates natural sweetness that caramelizes beautifully on the grill without any added sugar beyond a touch of honey
- This marinade works double duty as both a tenderizer and a basting sauce for maximum flavor
02 -
- Always reserve some marinade before adding raw chicken, or boil used marinade for several minutes if you plan to use it as a sauce
- Letting the chicken rest after grilling makes all the difference between juicy and dry meat, so resist the urge to cut immediately
03 -
- Add smoked paprika to the marinade for an extra layer of depth that hints at barbecue without overpowering the mango
- Chicken thighs are more forgiving than breasts if you worry about drying out the meat