Grilled Yucatecan Achiote Chicken

Smoky achiote-marinated chicken meets peak-season Washington sweet corn and grilled Walla Walla onion in a colorful summer dinner for two.

Ingredients

  • Foster Farms Fresh & Natural Chicken Thighs Value Pack
    1½ pounds $1.49
  • Fresh Sweet Corn on the Cob-Each
    2 ears $0.99
  • Private Selection® Walla Walla Sweet Onions
    4 ounces $3.99
  • Fresh Jalapeno Peppers
    1 small pepper $1.99
  • Organic Cilantro
    ¼ cup chopped $1.69
  • Fresh Organic Limes
    1 lime $1.29
  • Orange juice
    ¼ cup
  • Achiote paste
    1½ tablespoons
  • Garlic
    2 cloves $0.79
  • Dried oregano
    1 teaspoon
  • Ground cumin
    ½ teaspoon
  • Honey
    1 teaspoon
  • Olive oil
    2 tablespoons
  • Kosher salt
    ¾ teaspoon

Instructions

  1. Preheat a grill to medium-high, about 400°F. Shuck 2 ears corn; slice 4 ounces Walla Walla sweet onion into thick rings; mince 1 small jalapeño; chop ¼ cup cilantro; halve 1 lime; and mince 2 garlic cloves.
  2. Whisk ¼ cup orange juice, juice from ½ lime, 1½ tablespoons achiote paste, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Coat 1½ pounds chicken thighs with the marinade and rest for 10 minutes.
  3. Rub 2 ears corn with 2 teaspoons olive oil and ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt. Rub 4 ounces onion rings with 1 teaspoon olive oil and ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt.
  4. Grill 1½ pounds marinated chicken thighs, covered, for 8 minutes on the first side and 10–12 minutes on the second side, until the thickest pieces reach at least 165°F. During the same interval, grill 2 ears corn for 8–10 minutes and 4 ounces onion rings for 6–8 minutes, turning both until lightly charred.
  5. Rest 1½ pounds grilled chicken thighs for 5 minutes. Chop 4 ounces grilled onion and combine it with 1 minced jalapeño, ¼ cup chopped cilantro, and juice from ½ lime to make a quick relish.
  6. Plate 1½ pounds grilled achiote chicken with 2 ears charred corn, then spoon the grilled Walla Walla onion relish over the chicken and serve.

Total time: 45 minutes

Estimated cost: $10–$13, excluding pantry staples

Health notes: About 650 calories per serving with roughly 45 grams of protein, plus fiber from the corn and onion.

Drink pairing: A chilled Sauvignon Blanc balances the citrusy achiote marinade and smoky grilled vegetables.