Raspberry Chipotle BBQ Chicken with Sweet Heat Glaze
Tender chicken thighs glazed with a homemade raspberry chipotle barbecue sauce that perfectly balances sweet and smoky heat. The jam-based sauce caramelizes beautifully during baking, creating a glossy coating with complex flavors from tangy cider vinegar and spicy adobo peppers. This crowd-pleasing dish works equally well for weeknight dinners or weekend entertaining, offering a unique twist on classic barbecue that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Finely dice the onion and garlic and cook in vegetable oil over medium heat until softened
- 2
Roughly chop one chipotle pepper and reserve adobo sauce from the can
- 3
Add tomato sauce, raspberry jam, cider vinegar, chopped chipotle pepper and adobo sauce to the cooked onions and garlic
- 4
Stir well and bring to a simmer, then continue simmering for about 45 minutes stirring occasionally
- 5
Allow the sauce to cool after simmering
- 6
Remove skin from chicken thighs and trim excess fat
- 7
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
- 8
Line baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with non-stick spray
- 9
Place chicken thighs on tray and brush with BBQ sauce using sauce poured into separate bowl
- 10
Bake for 45 minutes, removing to brush with more sauce at 15 and 30 minute marks
Tips
Pour sauce into a separate bowl before brushing onto raw chicken to avoid contaminating the entire batch
The sauce will thicken as it cools, so don't worry if it seems thin while hot
Removing the chicken skin helps the sauce adhere better and reduces excess fat
Good to Know
Refrigerate for up to 3 days in airtight container. Reheat gently in oven at 300F.
Sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead. Chicken can be marinated in sauce for up to 24 hours before baking.
Serve immediately while hot with rice, roasted vegetables, or coleslaw to balance the sweet heat.
Common Mistakes
Don't skip cooling the sauce as it thickens considerably when cooled
Use separate bowl for brushing sauce to avoid contaminating the batch with raw chicken
Substitutions
less smoky depth
FAQ
Can I use frozen chicken thighs?
Yes, but thaw completely first and pat dry before removing skin and applying sauce for best results.
How long will this keep in the refrigerator?
The cooked chicken will keep for up to 3 days refrigerated. The sauce alone keeps for up to a week.
Can I make this on the grill instead?
Yes, grill over medium heat for 35-40 minutes, basting every 10 minutes and watching for flare-ups from the sweet sauce.