For several years, my recipe for Glazed Pork Chops has gained a lot of popularity. It’s incredibly simple, really tasty, and the sweet and spicy glaze keeps the pork chops wonderfully moist. I’ve frequently mentioned that this glaze can also be used with chicken, but I haven’t featured this combination on the blog until now. Honestly, I might prefer these Sweet and Spicy Glazed Chicken Thighs to the pork chops since they are naturally more tender and juicy. This means they reheat nicely and are ideal for meal prep.
Can I Make the Sweet and Spicy Glazed Chicken Thighs Less Spicy?
Certainly! If you prefer a milder heat, you can cut down the cayenne pepper to 1/4 teaspoon. If you want a version without any spiciness, simply omit the cayenne pepper and use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika to enhance the flavor.
Can I Use Chicken Breast?
Yes, you can, but make sure to use boneless chicken breasts. You will also need to flatten them to an even thickness of 1/2 inch so they cook quickly. If you don’t do this, the glaze may burn before the chicken is fully cooked.
Can I Use BoneIn Thighs?
I wouldn’t recommend bonein thighs for this dish, as they take longer to cook. A longer cooking time could cause the glaze to burn. This recipe is meant for quick cooking, so it’s best to use meat that cooks fast.
What to Serve with Sweet and Spicy Glazed Chicken
These Sweet and Spicy Glazed Chicken Thighs go well with: Rosemary Roasted Potatoes (as shown), Oven Roasted Frozen Broccoli, steamed green beans (as shown), roasted or mashed sweet potatoes, or potato salad.
Sweet and Spicy Glazed Chicken Thighs
The Sweet and Spicy Glazed Chicken Thighs are deliciously moist, tender, and packed with flavor, yet they require minimal effort to prepare. Ideal for quick weeknight meals!
Servings 4
Prep 10 minutes
Cook 15 minutes
Total 25 minutes
Ingredients
1/4 cup brown sugar ($0. 12)
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper ($0. 05)
1/2 tsp garlic powder ($0. 05)
1/2 tsp paprika ($0. 05)
1/2 tsp salt ($0. 02)
freshly cracked pepper ($0. 05)
1 Tbsp olive oil ($0. 16)
1. 5 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs (45 pieces) ($4. 49)
Instructions
In a small mixing bowl, mix together the brown sugar, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and a bit of freshly cracked pepper (around 1015 turns from a pepper mill).
Place the chicken thighs on a cutting board and dry them off with a paper towel. Generously sprinkle the brown sugar mixture on the chicken, making sure to coat both sides well.
Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. Once it’s hot, pour in the olive oil and swirl it around to coat the pan. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for roughly 57 minutes on each side, or until they are fully cooked and the brown sugar has formed a rich brown glaze. Serve warm.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving
Calories: 317. 58 kcal
Carbohydrates: 12. 55 g
Protein: 28. 65 g
Fat: 18. 48 g
Sodium: 483. 23 mg
Fiber: 0. 2 g
Read our complete nutrition disclaimer here.
How to Make Glazed Chicken Thighs
In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and some freshly cracked pepper (approximately 1015 turns from a pepper mill).
Pat 1. 5 lbs. of chicken thighs that are boneless and skinless with a paper towel to dry them. Generously sprinkle the brown sugar mixture on the chicken, ensuring both sides are well covered.
In a large skillet, suitable for arranging all the meat in one layer, heat over medium. When it’s hot, pour in the olive oil and swirl it around to cover the skillet evenly. Place the chicken in the skillet and cook for around 57 minutes on each side, or until it’s fully cooked and the brown sugar has developed into a rich brown glaze.
Cooking times may differ depending on the size of the chicken thighs, the type of pan used, or the specifics of your stove. Therefore, keep a close eye on the chicken, adjust the skillet if your burner has uneven heat, and ensure that the temperature isn’t set too high, as this can cause the glaze to burn before the chicken is done cooking.
Sweet and Spicy Glazed Chicken Thighs – making traditional “meat and potatoes” a bit more interesting.
