FilipinoMedium · Hot
Grilled Soy-Lime Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs soak in a marinade of soy sauce, lime juice, ginger, garlic, and black pepper long enough for the flavors to seep all the way through, then hit the grill and char at the edges while staying juicy at the bone. The soy caramelizes, the lime stays bright, and the ginger hums underneath every bite. Backyard food, beach food, any-excuse food.
Prep
15 min
Cook
30 min
Rest
5 min
Total
50 min
A
Nutri-Score
Excellent balance
A–E · lower is better · score -1
Calories
557
per serving
High in protein · 63gLow sugar · 11g
Protein
63g
Carbs
15g
Fat
27g
Sat. fat
6g
Fiber
1g
Sugar
11g
Sodium
498mg
High ProteinLow CarbDairy FreeHeart HealthyDiabetes FriendlyLow SodiumMuscle GainWeight LossBalanced Meal
Nutri-Score is a general nutritional-balance guide, not medical or dietary advice.
D
Environmental impact
High impact
A–E · lower is better · includes estimates
kg CO2e
2.2
per serving
DCarbonAEU all-round· carbon sets the grade
Water
0.9m³
Land
76Pt
Runoff
0.2g P
Chicken Thighs drives 98% of this recipe’s estimated footprint.
Carbon from Poore & Nemecek 2018; water, land & runoff from Agribalyse — modelled averages for comparing recipes, not a measurement of your groceries.
Flavor Profile
7
Umami
3
Sweet
5
Salty
4
Sour
1
Bitter
3
Spicy
Textures
CrispyTenderCharred
Aromas
SmokyCitrusPungentSavory
Kitchen Equipment
Primary Tool
GrillGrillWokChef KnifeCutting BoardMeasuring SpoonsMeasuring CupsMixing BowlTongsBasting BrushPlastic WrapAluminum FoilPaper Towels
Counter FootprintMedium
Techniques
Safety & Storage
Cooking Temperature
Grill chicken thighs until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) to eliminate harmful bacteria.
Handling
Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw chicken to prevent cross-contamination with other foods.
Storage
If marinating longer than 2 hours, store chicken in refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below.
Shelf Life
Do not marinate chicken at room temperature for more than 2 hours total; discard used marinade that contacted raw poultry.
Allergen Warning
Soy sauce contains both soy and wheat allergens; inform guests of these allergens before serving.
High Risk Population
Ensure chicken is fully cooked for young children, elderly, pregnant individuals, or immunocompromised guests.
Pro Tips
Technique
Marinate the thighs for at least 30 minutes—longer is better! The acid in the lime tenderizes while the soy seasons deep into the meat. When grilling, resist moving the chicken too often. Let those grill marks char beautifully, and you'll get that smoky-sweet crust that's irresistible.
Substitution
No honey on hand? Brown sugar or even a splash of pineapple juice works beautifully—we Filipino cooks always adapt!
Time Saver
If you're short on time, butterfly the chicken thighs so they cook faster and absorb marinade more quickly. Still gets that delicious caramelization!
From the chef
My lola used to say good chicken doesn't need much fuss—just the right balance of asin at kaasim, and it feeds the soul. These soy-lime thighs are my tribute to her: simple enough for a weeknight kainan, but special enough to make everyone feel like it's holiday. The caramelized glaze on the outside, the tender meat inside—it's the kind of dish that makes people linger at the table, going back for more. That's the real magic.
TagsGrilledMarinatedSoy LimeWeeknight DinnerKamayan
AllergensSoyWheat
Source: generated · May 30, 2026