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Guava BBQ Glazed Chicken Thighs (The Lacquer Trick Most Recipes Skip)

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Bone-in chicken thighs seared crisp, then lacquered in a thick guava paste BBQ glaze cut with vinegar and chipotle.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp neutral oil
  • 8 oz guava paste, cubed
  • 1/4 cup cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp chipotle peppers in adobo, minced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp water, as needed to thin

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken thighs dry and season all over with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
  2. Heat oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high. Sear thighs skin-side down for 6-7 minutes until deeply golden and crisp. Flip and sear 2 minutes more, then remove from the pan.
  3. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  4. In a small saucepan, combine guava paste, cider vinegar, chipotle, garlic, and soy sauce. Melt over medium-low heat, stirring, until smooth and thick enough to coat a spoon, about 5 minutes. Thin with water a tablespoon at a time if it’s too stiff to brush.
  5. Return thighs skin-side up to the skillet. Brush with a thin layer of glaze and transfer to the oven for 8 minutes.
  6. Remove, brush with a second thin coat, and bake 8 minutes more.
  7. Brush with a final coat and bake 4-6 minutes, until the glaze is glossy, tacky, and lightly charred in spots and chicken reaches 175°F (79°C) internally.
  8. Rest 5 minutes, brush with any remaining glaze, and serve.

Notes

Guava paste is sold in blocks in the international aisle or Latin markets — do not substitute guava juice or nectar, which are too thin to lacquer properly. If your only option is guava jelly, simmer it hard until it thickens noticeably before using. Always apply the glaze in thin layers rather than one heavy coat; a single thick coat burns on the outside before the sugars have a chance to caramelize evenly. Leftover glaze keeps refrigerated for a week and works well brushed onto grilled pork chops or salmon.

Find it online: https://www.receipster.com/guava-bbq-glazed-chicken-thighs-the-lacquer-trick-most-recipes-skip/