1-First Step: Make the marinade Mince the 3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce until they are fine enough to blend well into the marinade. In a bowl, combine the minced chipotle peppers with 2 tablespoons honey, the juice from 1 lime, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon of the cooking oil. Stir until the mixture looks smooth and evenly mixed. This is the flavor base for the whole recipe, so make sure everything is fully combined.

2-Second Step: Coat the chicken thighs Place the 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs in a shallow dish or a zip-top bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken and toss to coat every piece well. Try to get the marinade into all the folds and edges so the flavor spreads evenly. If you are cooking for kids or anyone sensitive to heat, you can let the chicken sit a little less time, but the flavor will be milder if you reduce the chipotle amount.

3-Third Step: Marinate for the best flavor Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes. If you are leaving it longer than 1 hour, refrigerate it. For even flavor, flip the chicken once or twice while it sits so every side gets some of the sauce. This step does not take much effort, but it makes a huge difference in taste.

4-Fourth Step: Heat the skillet Set a large skillet over medium heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of cooking oil. Let the pan heat up before adding the chicken, because a hot pan helps the thighs brown instead of steam. If your skillet is too crowded, cook in batches so each thigh gets good contact with the pan.

5-Fifth Step: Cook the first side Place the chicken thighs in the skillet and cook them until one side is browned. As they cook, the marinade will begin to thicken and turn into a glaze. This is where the sweet and smoky smell really starts to fill the kitchen. If there is extra marinade in the bowl, you can spoon a little over the chicken during cooking, but do not reuse raw marinade unless it has been boiled first.

6-Sixth Step: Flip and finish cooking Turn the chicken over and cook the other side until browned and fully cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F. Chicken thighs are more forgiving than chicken breasts, so they stay juicy even when cooked all the way through. Still, a meat thermometer is the easiest way to know they are done.

7-Seventh Step: Add the finishing touch Transfer the chicken to a plate and top it with the 2 sliced green onions. The green onions add color and a fresh bite that balances the sticky glaze. Serve the Chipotle Honey Chicken Thighs right away with rice, tortillas, roasted potatoes, or a simple side salad.