Grilled Mango Chicken Recipe

The Perfect Grilled Mango Chicken Recipe for Summer Feasts

Grilled mango chicken revamps ordinary dinners into vibrant culinary experiences.

Sizzling protein infused with fruity essence creates an irresistible combination that tantalizes taste buds.

Tropical ingredients dance together, promising a meal that goes beyond traditional barbecue fare.

Unexpected flavor profiles emerge when familiar proteins meet unexpected companions, sparking curiosity and excitement.

Summer cooking reaches new heights with this innovative approach to grilling favorites.

Each carefully seasoned piece promises a harmony of smoky and sweet sensations that delight the palate.

Prepare to elevate your summer menu with a dish that celebrates bold, fresh ingredients.

Tips to Keep It Sweet, Smoky, and Balanced

  • Maximize Mango Flavor: Choose ripe, sweet mangos for a more intense and vibrant marinade that enhances the chicken's taste.
  • Marinate Smartly: Allow chicken to sit in the marinade for at least 2 hours, but don't exceed 8 hours to prevent the meat from becoming mushy.
  • Grill with Precision: Maintain a consistent 400°F grill temperature and use tongs to flip chicken, ensuring even cooking and beautiful char marks.
  • Prevent Cross-Contamination: Always use separate utensils and plates for raw and cooked chicken to avoid spreading harmful bacteria.
  • Sauce Finishing Touch: Brush the reserved marinade over grilled chicken just before serving to add a final burst of sweet and tangy flavor.

How to Store and Reheat Without Drying It Out

  • Refrigeration: Store leftover grilled mango chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed chicken will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Keep the chicken separate from other foods to prevent cross-contamination.
  • Freezing: Wrap individual chicken pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Frozen mango chicken maintains best quality for up to 2 months. Label the container with the date to track storage time.
  • Reheating: Warm refrigerated chicken in the microwave using 30-second intervals, checking temperature between each cycle. Alternatively, reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out.

Why Grilled Mango Chicken Is a Flavor Bomb

  • Burst with Tropical Flavor: The marinade combines sweet mangos with zesty garlic and ginger, creating a vibrant taste explosion that transforms ordinary chicken into a Caribbean-inspired delight.
  • Master Quick Weeknight Grilling: This recipe takes just 15 minutes of active preparation and allows flexible marinating times between 2-8 hours, perfect for busy home cooks wanting delicious meals without complicated techniques.
  • Nutritional Powerhouse Meal: Packed with 30g of protein, low in fat, and featuring fresh fruit, this chicken dish delivers balanced nutrition while satisfying hunger with complex, layered flavors that keep taste buds dancing.
  • Effortless Entertaining Option: Impressive enough for guests yet simple to prepare, this grilled mango chicken works wonderfully for backyard barbecues, summer gatherings, or casual family dinners with minimal kitchen stress.

Ingredients That Make Mango Chicken Irresistible

Main Protein:
  • Chicken: Lean meat that absorbs the marinade and becomes tender and flavorful when grilled.
Marinade Ingredients:
  • Soy Sauce: Adds depth of flavor and saltiness to the chicken.
  • Mangos: Provides natural sweetness and helps tenderize the meat with its enzymes.
  • Garlic: Brings robust, aromatic flavor to the marinade.
  • Ginger: Offers a warm, spicy note and aids in tenderizing the chicken.
  • Water: Helps blend the marinade ingredients smoothly.
Finishing Touches:
  • Cilantro: Fresh herb that adds a bright, citrusy garnish to the grilled chicken.

How to Grill Juicy Mango Chicken to Perfection

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Container

Select a large plastic bag or baking dish to hold the chicken for marinating.

Step 2: Create Mango Marinade

Blend ingredients into a smooth sauce:
  • Fresh mangos
  • Soy sauce
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
  • Water

Use a small blender or food processor to mix thoroughly.

Step 3: Divide Marinade

Set aside of the blended sauce for later use as a finishing glaze.

Step 4: Marinate Chicken

Pour remaining marinade over chicken in the bag or dish.

Seal container tightly and refrigerate for 2-8 hours to enhance flavor absorption.

Step 5: Fire Up The Grill

Heat grill to 400°F, ensuring grates are clean and lightly oiled.

Step 6: Position Chicken On Grill

Remove chicken from marinade using tongs.

Shake off excess liquid to prevent flare-ups.

Place chicken carefully on hot grill grates.

Step 7: Grill To Perfection

Cook chicken 6-7 minutes per side.

Look for golden char marks and ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Step 8: Finish With Glaze

Transfer grilled chicken to serving platter.

Brush generously with reserved mango sauce.

Step 9: Garnish And Serve

Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro over chicken.

Plate and enjoy your vibrant mango grilled chicken!

What Dishes Shine Beside Mango Chicken

  • Boost Tropical Drink Pairing: Craft a refreshing piña colada or mango mojito that mirrors the sweet and tangy mango notes in the chicken marinade, creating a harmonious flavor experience.
  • Complement Rice Side Dish: Prepare coconut jasmine rice or cilantro lime rice to absorb the marinade's rich sauce and provide a creamy, aromatic backdrop to the grilled chicken.
  • Enhance Vegetable Companion: Serve grilled pineapple slices or a zesty mango salsa on the side to echo the tropical flavors and add bright, fresh elements that cut through the chicken's richness.
  • Perfect Wine Selection: Choose a crisp, slightly sweet white wine like Riesling or Gewürztraminer that will balance the chicken's sweet and savory profile and complement its fruity undertones.

Tropical Variations for Mango Chicken Fans

  • Tropical Oven Bake: Transform the grilled chicken into a succulent oven-roasted dish by baking at 375°F for 25-30 minutes, using the same marinade and creating a caramelized exterior with minimal effort.
  • Spicy Mango Fusion: Kick up the heat by adding diced jalapeños or red chili flakes to the marinade, creating a zesty version that brings bold flavors and a warming sensation to the classic recipe.
  • Caribbean Coconut Infusion: Incorporate coconut milk into the marinade and garnish with toasted coconut flakes, transporting the dish to a tropical paradise with rich, creamy undertones that complement the mango's sweetness.
  • Herb Garden Chicken: Replace cilantro with fresh basil or mint, adding a bright, aromatic dimension that lightens the dish and provides a refreshing alternative to the original recipe.
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Grilled Mango Chicken Recipe

Grilled Mango Chicken Recipe


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4.7 from 16 reviews

  • Total Time: 29 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Succulent Grilled Mango Chicken brings tropical Caribbean flavors to your dinner table with tender marinated chicken glazed in sweet mango sauce. Juicy grilled chicken paired with zesty seasonings promises a delightful meal you’ll savor from first bite to last.


Ingredients

Scale

Proteins:

  • 2 lb (907 g) chicken thighs, boneless and skinless

Fruits and Vegetables:

  • 2 mangos
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • ½ teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
  • Cilantro for garnish

Liquid and Seasoning:

  • ½ cup (120 ml) soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) water (or more as needed)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the vibrant marinade by blending ripe mangos, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, and water in a food processor until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
  2. Separate and reserve 60 milliliters () of the marinade for later glazing, keeping it chilled and ready.
  3. Place chicken pieces into a large resealable plastic bag or shallow glass container, ensuring they are laid out in a single layer.
  4. Pour the remaining marinade directly over the chicken, massaging the liquid gently to ensure complete coverage of each piece.
  5. Seal the container tightly and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours, allowing the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat – maximum marination time should not exceed 8 hours.
  6. Thirty minutes before cooking, remove chicken from refrigerator to allow it to approach room temperature for even grilling.
  7. Preheat outdoor grill or gas grill to 204 degrees Celsius (400 degrees Fahrenheit), ensuring grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.
  8. Carefully extract chicken from marinade, letting excess liquid drip off, and place pieces onto hot grill grates.
  9. Grill chicken for approximately 6-7 minutes per side, rotating once to create beautiful crosshatch grill marks and ensure internal temperature reaches 74 degrees Celsius (165 degrees Fahrenheit).
  10. Transfer grilled chicken to a clean serving platter and generously brush with the reserved marinade for an extra layer of glossy, tropical flavor.
  11. Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro leaves for a burst of herbaceous brightness before serving.

Notes

  • Refrigeration transforms ordinary chicken into a flavor-packed masterpiece, allowing marinade ingredients to deeply penetrate meat fibers.
  • Mango-infused sauce creates a tropical blend that elevates basic grilled chicken with sweet and tangy undertones.
  • Blending fresh ingredients ensures a smooth, well-integrated marinade that coats chicken evenly and locks in moisture.
  • Grilling technique guarantees beautiful char marks while keeping the meat juicy and infused with vibrant mango essence.
  • Reserved sauce adds a final flavor boost, drizzling extra brightness over perfectly cooked chicken just before serving.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 14 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: Fusion

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 300 kcal
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg
Julian Park

Julian Park

Co-Founder, Cuisine Researcher & Food Culture Writer

Expertise

  • Global Food Cultures & Culinary History
  • Regional Flavor Profiles & Cooking Techniques
  • Food Anthropology & Cultural Identity
  • Culinary Research & Narrative Writing
  • Street Food Traditions & Heritage Dishes

Education

The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), Los Angeles, CA

  • Degree: Certificate in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Professional culinary techniques, global cuisine fundamentals, and real-world training in restaurant-style cooking and food presentation.

Julian Park is a natural storyteller at The Dream Café who blends hands-on culinary experience with a passion for exploring global food traditions. A graduate of The Institute of Culinary Education in Los Angeles, Julian combines professional technique with a love for cultural discovery, diving into how dishes reflect heritage, migration, and identity. 

His work spans everything from in-depth cuisine guides to reflections on everyday meals around the world. With a curious palate and a journal always close by, Julian helps readers connect with food in a way that feels so insightful and personal.

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