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    Home » Recipes » Gluten Free Main Course

    Grilled Chicken with Adobo Paste

    Published: Jun 6, 2024 by Cinde LittleThis post may contain affiliate links1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Gluten free cooks need all the best recipes and this Grilled Chicken with Adobo Paste is the best damn rub you’ll make all summer. There's no marinating, just rub the paste on your chicken and cook it to juicy perfection!

    A plate with two pieces of cooked chicken with adobo paste.

    When corn is in season I serve this recipe with chipotle butter or corn with feta and lime. If it's too early for corn the perfect side dish, especially if I made it yesterday, is this Southwestern Quinoa Salad. Topped with a squeeze of homemade chipotle mayo is heavenly.

    This chicken is worthy of a summer dinner party so then I'm making Aztec Chocolate Ice Cream with lime glaze for a decadent finale.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions/Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Top Tip
    • Grilled Chicken with Adobo Paste

    Ingredients

    The lime zest in this simple rub makes it so don't skip it! I keep three small containers with orange, lemon and lime zest in my freezer at all times. The containers all stay there even when they're empty.

    Ingredients for adobo paste; oil, paprika, oregano, lime zest and 3 measuring spoons with salt, chile flakes and pepper.
    • bone-in chicken thighs
    • olive oil
    • garlic
    • lime
    • paprika
    • dried oregano
    • dried red pepper flakes

    See recipe card for exact amounts.

    Instructions

    The difference between a dry rub and a wet rub is simply the addition of liquid. Adding oil to the dry ingredients helps the rub stick to the meat throughout the cooking process.

    A barbecue grill with raw chicken thighs covered in adobo paste. this gluten free recipe
    Cook skin side up on a raised rack for 45 minutes.
    Grilled Chicken with Adobo Paste on a plate in front of the BBQ with a thermometer inserted reading 193 degrees Farenheit.
    Cook chicken to 185 F.

    Substitutions/Variations

    Lime zest - There is no substitute for lime zest. A single teaspoon of zest can transform a recipe with its' sparkling citrus flavour so just buy them.

    Paprika - For people who love smoke you can substitute this amount with a smoky paprika or even a hot, smoky paprika.

    Chicken - Use this rub on any cut of chicken or pork.

    Equipment

    Gluten free cooks know all about reusable grilling sheets and grilling bags. They're the reusable solution for a safe cooking surface no matter where you go. Whether you’re camping, visiting the family cabin or using a public grill, these are perfect.

    My Cookina Reusable Grilling Sheet allows the food to brown and it even gets the nice grill marks we're going for in some recipes. They can be cut to any size, washed with soap and water then reused over and over.

    To learn more about these check out this post, Reusable Grilling Sheets.

    Storage

    Store adobo paste in the fridge indefinitely. When I make a double recipe of this paste I put half of it into a clean jar as soon as I make. This prevents contamination from anything and avoids the problem of mold growing in containers you haven't looked in for weeks.

    My preferred way to do advance prep is to combine the ingredients without the oil. This way the oil doesn't have to come to room temperature so for me it's easier to use. Just add oil and rub.

    Top Tip

    Collect your favourite recipes by the season. I've been making this recipe for years but at the beginning of every barbecue season I'm excited to make it again.

    A dinner plate with two cooked chicken thighs with adobo paste and corn on the cob, each with a bite missing.
    A plate with two pieces of cooked chicken with adobo paste.

    Grilled Chicken with Adobo Paste

    I guarantee this is the best damn rub you’ll make all summer! And every summer after that. Gluten free cooks have reusable grilling sheets to cook on any grill.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Grilled Chicken with Adobo Paste
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes
    Resting Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 people
    Calories: 700kcal
    Author: Cinde Little

    Ingredients

    • 12 bone-in chicken thighs

    Adobo Paste

    • 2½ tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon minced garlic (3-4 cloves)
    • 1 lime, zest only (finely chopped)
    • 2 tablespoon paprika
    • 1½ tablespoon dried oregano
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat the barbecue.
    • In a small bowl stir together olive oil, garlic, lime zest, paprika, oregano, salt, red pepper flakes and pepper. Can be prepared in advance.
    • Rub adobo paste evenly over chicken thighs. Let stand at room temperature until the barbecue is ready.
    • Place chicken on grill skin side up and sear for 3-5 minutes. Move to the rack above the heated grill, close the lid and continue cooking for 45 minutes. Don't turn the chicken over, skin side up for the entire cooking time. Chicken is cooked when a thermometer inserted in the meat measures an internal temperature of 185°F.
    • Let chicken stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.

    Notes

    This adobo paste is also excellent on any cut of chicken or pork.
    If you love a smoky flavour substitute smoked paprika for regular in this paste.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 200g | Calories: 700kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 54g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g | Monounsaturated Fat: 24g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 283mg | Sodium: 615mg | Potassium: 683mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1452IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 3mg
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      5 from 1 vote

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Cinde Little

      June 25, 2022 at 12:46 pm

      5 stars
      Amazing!

      Reply

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    Two images; one showing the ingredients for this recipe. A second image of cooked Adobo Chicken on a platter.
    Two images; a thermometer measuring the internal temperature of chicken. A second image of Adobo Chicken on a plate with a cob of corn.

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