Honey Chili Chicken Thighs With Creamy Cilantro Sauce Recipes

CILANTRO LIME CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine cilantro, 2 tablespoons olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. In a gallon size Ziploc bag or large bowl, combine chicken and cilantro mixture; marinate for at least 2 hours to overnight, turning the bag occasionally. Drain the chicken from the marinade. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a cast iron grill pan over medium high heat.* Working in batches, add chicken to the grill pan in a single layer and cook until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 4-5 minutes per side. Serve immediately.

STICKY HONEY-CHILI GARLIC GRILLED CHICKEN WITH CUCUMBER SALAD

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine the chili garlic sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sugar, soy sauce and garlic. Bring to a low simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and cook about 10 minutes. Spoon 1/4 cup of the mixture into a small bowl, whisk in the cornstarch until combined and then whisk back into the saucepan. Let simmer an additional 10 minutes to thicken. Let cool completely.
• Salt and pepper both sides of the chicken and place in a 9-by-13-inch pan. Pour half of the chili garlic mixture over the chicken and toss to coat; reserve the remaining sauce. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate for 4 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Bake the chicken, covered in foil, for 35 to 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat the grill to medium high.
• Remove the chicken from the oven and grill, basting with the reserved sauce, until the skin is crispy, a few minutes per side. (Alternatively, the chicken can be finished under the broiler. Remove the foil from the pan and put under the broiler for a few minutes until the skin is crispy.)
• Transfer the chicken to a serving platter, spoon the remaining reserved sauce over the top and garnish with cilantro. Serve with the Cucumber Salad.
• In a medium bowl, whisk the vinegar and honey until emulsified. Add the cucumbers and cilantro and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until serving time.

HONEY-GARLIC CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Season chicken with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• Heat a pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sear until golden, 10 to 12 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the centers should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Drain most of the excess grease from the pan, leaving about 2 tablespoons behind.
• Arrange chicken thighs skin-side down in the pan. Place crushed garlic between the chicken and fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add honey, water, vinegar, and soy sauce. Increase heat to medium-high and cook until sauce reduces down and thickens slightly, 3 to 4 minutes.