If you’re tired of the same old chicken marinade recipes and want to add some excitement to your next grilled meal, then try mango habanero marinade.
This mango habanero chicken marinade recipe is the perfect blend of sweet mango, spicy habanero peppers, and tangy citrus.
If you’re a fan of Wingstop hot wings or Sweet Baby Ray’s, get ready for something even better. You just need to mix fresh mango, fiery habanero peppers, garlic, and some spices. This homemade sauce makes your chicken taste amazing, and you can cook it on a grill, oven, air fryer, or in a pan. The marinade gives the chicken a tropical taste and adds a spicy kick.
It’s perfect for any meal, whether it’s lunch or dinner. Try making it yourself with this easy recipe. It’s guaranteed to be a hit and will leave you wanting more with every bite!
Habanero Pepper
Habanero peppers are known for their intense heat, ranking high on the Scoville scale, which measures the spiciness of chili peppers.
On average, habaneros typically range from 100,000 to 350,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). To put this into perspective, they are significantly hotter than jalapeños, which typically range from 2,500 to 8,000 SHU.
If you’re looking for a substitute for habanero peppers that are less spicy but still provide a similar flavor profile, you might consider using jalapeño peppers.
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Ingredients for Mango Habanero Chicken Marinade
- Mango – To make this marinade, you’ll need a ripe mango. Use half for 1 pound of chicken or the whole mango for 1 ½ – 2 pounds. For frozen mangoes, add extra honey because it’s less sweet. Frozen mangoes are not typically as sweet as fresh ripe mangoes are.
- Fresh Habaneros – The recipe calls for 1-2 habaneros, you can always use half, 1/4th.
- Olive oil – is my preferred base oil for most marinades, while coconut oil is an excellent alternative. Opt for your favourite cooking oil, but consider a neutral-flavoured oil as a substitute.
- Lime – You can use juices of 4 limes. It creates vibrant flavour in your dishes. While bottled lime is acceptable, it barely differs in flavour from fresh lime when incorporated into marinades.
- Honey – You can include 2 tablespoons of honey. I prefer raw honey for all my cooking and general use as it adds a richer flavor to dishes.
- Sriracha – Typically, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of this sauce, which combines tangy, spicy, and sweet flavors that complement mango well. Adjust the quantity for children who prefer milder tastes or increase it for sriracha-loving families.
- Garlic – Two minced garlic cloves give a special earthy taste, balancing the marinade’s sweetness. Fresh or jarred minced garlic both work well in marinades, keeping the savory flavor.
- Salt – you can use 1/2 teaspoon salt, is the essential seasoning that enhances all flavors in the marinade, making them more pronounced and vibrant.
Step-by-step Instructions for Marinating Chicken
Once you have gathered all the necessary ingredients for your mango habanero chicken marinade, it’s time to put them to use and marinate your chicken.
Step 1: Preparing chicken
- Start by preparing your chicken. You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for this recipe. Make sure to trim any excess fat and pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
Step 2: Marinade the chicken
- Place the chicken in a large zip-top bag or a shallow dish that can hold the marinade.
- In a blender or food processor, combine the fresh mangoes, Sriracha, garlic cloves, lime juice, olive oil, honey, Fresh Habaneros, and salt. Blend until smooth and all the ingredients are well combined.
- Pour the mango habanero marinade over the chicken, ensuring that each piece is well coated. If using a zip-top bag, seal it tightly, removing as much air as possible. If using a dish, cover it with plastic wrap.
Step 3: Refrigerate
- Place the marinated chicken in the refrigerator and let it rest for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight. This will allow the flavors to penetrate the chicken and tenderize it.
Step 4: Cooking
- When you are ready to cook the chicken, preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. You can also bake the chicken in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 25-30 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the grill or oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This way, the juices will spread out and the chicken will be juicy and flavorful.
Step 5: Serve
Serve the mango habanero chicken with your favorite side dishes, such as rice, grilled vegetables, or a fresh salad.
Tips and tricks for optimal results
While the mango habanero chicken marinade recipe is already flavorful and delicious, here are a few tips and tricks to take your dish to the next level:
- For an extra burst of tanginess, add a squeeze of fresh lime juice over the cooked chicken before serving. This will enhance the citrus flavour and brighten up the dish.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, leave some of the habanero pepper seeds in the marinade. Be cautious, as habanero peppers are quite spicy, so adjust the amount according to your heat tolerance.
- Be sure to complete the step of patting the chicken dry before marinating. Removing excess moisture helps the marinade penetrate the chicken better and ensures a more flavorful result.
- If you’re short on time, you can still achieve great flavour by marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes. While it won’t be as deeply infused, it will still taste delicious.
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I am a writer, editor, and publisher of Grillcuisines.com – an online blog dedicated to sharing grilling tips, accessories, and recipes to encourage more people to get outside and grill.
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