After Italian, Mexican is my next favorite style of food. Pairing chicken thighs with Mexican spices, such as cumin and chili powder, creates a juicy and flavorful combination that can’t be beat. And did I mention that this these Mexican Spiced Chicken Thighs are super easy? It has become a standard dish on my weekly rotation, especially on those nights when I’m pressed for time.
In this recipe, I used a combination of 8 spices to create my chicken rub. Depending on what you have in your pantry, you can always substitute or adjust based on preferred taste. In regards to heat, cayenne can be substituted for the chipotle chili powder. It can also be omitted or doubled based on your spice preference. In my household, we like things spicy, so we add a little extra. I recommend using smoked paprika, however regular paprika would suffice as well. I like to load up the rub on each thigh to maximize flavor, so be sure to multiply the amounts if cooking additional thighs.
Cook these thighs uncovered on a baking rack to crisp the skin. To create an even crispier thigh, broil for the final 2-3 minutes, but keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t burn. Serve these thighs with cilantro lime rice, fried peppers and onions or an avocado tomato salad to complete the meal. I hope you enjoy these Mexican Spiced Chicken Thighs as much as I do!
Mexican Spiced Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs, bone-in skin-on
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp oregano
- 1/4 tsp chipotle chili powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- pinch ground cloves
- pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degree F.
- In small bowl, combine ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, chipotle chili powder, salt and ground cloves.
- Pat dry chicken thighs. Rub both sides of thighs with olive oil and add pepper to taste.
- Evenly rub both sides of thighs with spice mixture.
- Bake uncovered on baking rack for 35-40 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Serve.
