Chile Jam Chicken Recipes

CHILI PEPPER JAM

Steps:

• In a pot, combine the chili peppers, red bell peppers, and apple cider vinegar. Cover the pot with a lid and cook for about 20 minutes or until the peppers have softened. In a colander, drain the pepper mixture and with the back of a wooden spoon, press on the peppers to extract any excess liquid.
• Transfer the peppers to a food mill or a blender and puree. Press the puree through a sieve to remove the pepper skin. Discard the skin. In a saucepot, over medium heat, add the pepper puree and add the sugar a little at a time and mix until the sugar has dissolved. Continue to cook the mixture for about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat when the mixture resembles a jam texture. Allow to cool and transfer into jars.

CHILE JAM CHICKEN

Steps:

• Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet (cast iron works great to get a crispy crust on the chicken) over medium-high heat. Put in the chicken thighs. Brown the chicken on one side, giving the chicken time to unstick itself from the pan surface and form a good, crispy coating, about 10 minutes. Flip the chicken and brown for 6-10 minutes, or until you can insert a knife to the bone and no red liquid emerges.
• Lower heat to med-low and spoon 1 T of the chile jam over each thigh. Melt the jam over the chicken and on all sides, using tongs to flip and swirl the thighs in the pan. Cook for 1-2 minutes to allow the jam to form a glaze. Remove the thighs to a serving plate and spoon the glaze on top. Scrape up any bits sticking to the bottom of the pan - these will be the crispiest!
• Just before serving, squeeze fresh lemon juice ovef the chicken to brighten the flavors and heighten the sweetness and spice.
• Opt - serve with Caramelized Sweet Potatoes and Peaches (posted in another of my recipes).