Smoky Orange Chicken Thighs

Mixiotes is a traditional Mexican barbecue dish that cooks marinated meats in tightly wrapped packets (using either parchment paper or leaves). These smoky chicken thighs cooked alongside oranges and onions take cues from that method, cooking in big packets. By tightly wrapping everything together, the chicken steams in a flavorful sauna that imbues them with a bold flavorful and burnt crimson hue. The steam keeps the chicken thighs moist and tender despite the long cooking time while the spice mix loosens up and mingles with the juices to create a bold sauce that clings to the chicken.

Chicken thighs are the ideal cut of meat for this recipe. Unlike chicken breasts, which become tough and dry the longer they cook, thighs become tender and perfectly shreddy as they slowly cook—so there’s no need to open the packets and check on them. You can cook them for the full hour and know that they will come out perfectly cooked.