Awesome Possum

Dear Lissy,
It's been triple-H weather here for the last few days, and I've been enjoying the gas grill God provided for our family this spring.  Awesome Possum is one of our all-time favorite summer grill recipes. The combination of orange & lime juice along with the spices gives the chicken a light Mexican flavor that works as well in fajitas as it does on a salad.  The chicken is also tasty rolled up in a naan or other warm flatbread with a little tzatziki sauce.

Awesome Possum
aka, Grilled Orange Chicken


2 lbs chicken thighs, cut into chunks or strips 
1/4 cup chopped orange segments
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup canola oil (or any other oil that stands up well under high heat)
1 Tbsp lime juice
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. thyme
1 tsp. marjoram
1 tsp. cumin
honey, optional


Cut the chicken thighs up into strips or chunks and set aside.  Combine next 8 ingredients in a gallon ziploc bag and mush well to combine.  Add chicken, turning to coat.  Marinate for 1 hour.  Thread onto skewers or place in grill basket.  Grill over medium high heat for 6 - 8 minutes, turning to prevent charring.  When done, salt to taste

Mom's Notes:

• This marinade is very tasty on whole chicken thighs or breasts as well, but the flavor doesn't infuse the meat as well.  
• On shopping day, place the chicken into the marinade bag and immediately freeze.   Defrost and grill on a busy day.
• Baste the chicken with honey when it's done cooking if you're serving over a salad or rice for a little extra flavor.

It's always a temptation to go out to eat or have cereal for supper in the hot weather, but your daddy works long, hard hours and needs a substantial evening meal.  If I use the grill; prepare bread, rice, and potatoes on cooler days so they can just be reheated; and make filling, creative salads I usually don't have to heat up the house to put a nice dinner meal on the table for our family.

 Love you, Hot stuff!
 Momma