Best Spicy Apricot Chicken Thighs Recipes

SWEET AND SPICY APRICOT BBQ CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• For the apricot BBQ sauce: Heat 1 tablespoon canola oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the chile and garlic; cook an additional 2 minutes. Stir in the apricot jam; cook until the jam melts, 3 to 4 minutes more. Pour in the orange juice and cider vinegar, bring to a simmer, and then add the ketchup, honey, Dijon and Worcestershire. Adjust the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring often, until thickened, 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
• Transfer the sauce to a blender and puree until smooth. Add salt to taste. Remove 1 cup for basting the chicken; reserve the rest for serving.
• For the chicken thighs: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. In a small bowl, stir together the smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper.
• Place the chicken thighs on two foil-lined baking sheets. Lightly coat the thighs with canola oil and sprinkle liberally with the spice mixture on both sides.
• Bake until the chicken is cooked through, 35 minutes. Turn the oven to broil. Baste the chicken with BBQ sauce and broil until the sauce has caramelized and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the chicken reads 160 degrees F, about 2 minutes. Remove to a platter, let rest for 5 minutes
• Sprinkle the chicken with parsley, and serve with the reserved BBQ sauce.

SPICY APRICOT CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the first five ingredients; rub over chicken. Place chicken, skin side up, on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Bake at 375° for 35-40 minutes or until a thermometer reads 170°-175°., Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine sauce ingredients; bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally., Turn chicken. Spoon some sauce over chicken. Broil 4-6 in. from the heat for 3-5 minutes or until browned. Turn chicken again; baste with sauce. Broil for 2-3 minutes longer or until browned. Serve with remaining sauce.

SWEET AND SPICY APRICOT BBQ CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• For the apricot BBQ sauce: Heat 1 tablespoon canola oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the chile and garlic; cook an additional 2 minutes. Stir in the apricot jam; cook until the jam melts, 3 to 4 minutes more. Pour in the orange juice and cider vinegar, bring to a simmer, and then add the ketchup, honey, Dijon and Worcestershire. Adjust the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring often, until thickened, 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
• Transfer the sauce to a blender and puree until smooth. Add salt to taste. Remove 1 cup for basting the chicken; reserve the rest for serving.
• For the chicken thighs: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. In a small bowl, stir together the smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper.
• Place the chicken thighs on two foil-lined baking sheets. Lightly coat the thighs with canola oil and sprinkle liberally with the spice mixture on both sides.
• Bake until the chicken is cooked through, 35 minutes. Turn the oven to broil. Baste the chicken with BBQ sauce and broil until the sauce has caramelized and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the chicken reads 160 degrees F, about 2 minutes. Remove to a platter, let rest for 5 minutes
• Sprinkle the chicken with parsley, and serve with the reserved BBQ sauce.

CHICKEN THIGHS (OR PORK) W/SPICY APRICOT GLAZE

Steps:

• Preheat the grill to medium-high for direct heat. Coat the grill rack with a flavorless oil, such as canola. Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper. In a small saucepan, stir apricot preserves, red wine vinegar, olive oil, jalapeño, garlic and red pepper flakes. Heat until melted. Remove 2 tablespoons of the apricot glaze and add to chicken thighs in the bowl. Toss to coat thighs. Set remaining glaze aside. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper and place on the grill, skin-side down. Grill until you get nice grill marks on the skin side. Turn over and brush with some of the glaze. Close the lid on the grill and grill until the thighs are cooked through, about 25 to 30 minutes depending on how big the thighs are. Baste occasionally with more of the glaze if desired. The thighs are done when the internal temperature of the thickest part is 165-170 degrees. Remove the chicken thighs from the grill and transfer to a serving platter. Pour remaining glaze over the chicken and sprinkle with green onions and garnish with cilantro sprigs. From and tested by Susan Selasky in the Free Press Test Kitchen. 423 calories (44% from fat), 21 grams fat (5 grams sat. fat), 40 grams carbohydrates, 20 grams protein, 260 mg sodium, 96 mg cholesterol, 1 gram fiber.