Sometimes you need to spice things up in life a little. Especially to brighten up those late Winter/early Spring dreary days when you’re craving #BBQ, until the gorgeous grilling weather is back in full swing!
These Sweet and Spicy Chicken Thighs are the perfect remedy – bathed in a gorgeous sticky, spicy and sweet glaze, made with Penzey’s Northwoods Fire Rub and Woodstock Everything Sauce and a little honey and white balsamic vinegar for a great BBQ flavor with the convenience of the broiler.
I made some fresh and easy Roasted Broccolini with Garlic to go with the chicken, but you could also serve them with the typical BBQ fixings: corn on the cob, baked beans, cole slaw, mac and cheese or fries. Black beans and rice would also be a great option for a Caribbean flair. Or shred the chicken and make some Spicy Sweet Chicken Tacos or BBQ Chicken Wraps or Pizza with the roasted broccolini…YUM!
Chef’s Notes: Penzey’s Northwoods Fire Rub is a lovely spicy mixture of salt, chipotle, black pepper, Hungarian paprika, garlic, rosemary, thyme, black pepper, and cayenne. If you aren’t able to find it or buy some,  you can make your own by using the following: 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons chipotle or chili powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary and 1/2 teaspoon dried  thyme. Get it online here.
Woodstead Hot Anything & Everything Sauce is a sweet and spicy glaze I found in Upstate New York in Naples in the Finger Lakes (it’s made there locally and sold at the farmer’s markets and you can also get it at Arbor Hill winery). It’s key ingredients are ketchup, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt, turmeric and paprika, orange juice, cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper and brown sugar. It’s super delicious on everything as a bbq glaze or a dip for chips or fries. If you can’t find the sauce or aren’t able to get it to make my recipe then I suggest finding a Carolina-style BBQ sauce (mustard and vinegar based) and mixing it with the honey and white balsamic vinegar per my recipe instructions and it would be just as delicious! Kinda like a Honey BBQ mixed with the spicy rub for an extra kick!
These Sweet and Spicy Chicken Thighs are bathed in a gorgeous sticky, spicy and sweet glaze, made with Penzey's Northwoods Fire Rub and Woodstock Everything Sauce and a little honey and white balsamic vinegar for a great BBQ flavor with the convenience of the broiler. Served with an easy, healthy and delicious Roasted Broccolini with garlic on the side.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Penzey's Northwoods Fire Seasoning
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup Woodstead Hot Anything & Everything Sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons white balsamic vinegar
- Roasted Broccolini:
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 bunches broccolini
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped fine
- 2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Sea salt + fresh ground black pepper, to taste
- Dash of red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Make the Sweet + Spicy Chicken:
- Preheat the broiler.
- Drizzle the olive oil and sprinkle the Penzey's Northwoods Fire Seasoning over the chicken thighs in a large mixing bowl and toss to coat evenly.
- Place the chicken on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray and broil for 5 minutes on each side.
- Combine the Woodstead Hot Anything + Everything sauce with the honey and white balsamic vinegar in a small bowl, stirring together well.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and brush half of the sauce over the chicken. Broil for 1 minute.
- Remove from the oven and turn the chicken over. Brush the chicken with the remaining sauce and broil for an additional minute or until the chicken is cooked through and has crispy edges.
- Drizzle or brush any additional sauce over the chicken if desired.
- Make the Roasted Broccolini:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Trim 2 inches off the ends of the broccolini stems and place the broccolini in a single layer on a large sheet pan.
- Drizzle the broccolini with 2 tablespoons olive oil, sprinkle with minced garlic, sea salt and black pepper, a dash of red pepper flakes, and toss together to coat evenly.
- Roast broccolini for 15 minutes, until it is crisp-tender, and browned.
- Serve hot, immediately.
Notes
Chef's Notes: Penzey's Northwoods Fire Rub is a lovely spicy mixture of salt, chipotle, black pepper, Hungarian paprika, garlic, rosemary, thyme, black pepper, and cayenne. If you aren't able to get the Penzey's spice rub you can make your own by using the following: 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons chipotle or chili powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary and 1/2 teaspoon dried  thyme.  Woodstead Hot Anything & Everything Sauce is a sweet and spicy glaze I found in Upstate New York in Naples in the Finger Lakes (it's made there locally and sold at the farmer's markets). It's key ingredients are ketchup, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt, turmeric and paprika, orange juice, cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper and brown sugar. It's super delicious on everything as a bbq glaze or a dip for chips or fries. If you can't find the sauce or aren't able to get it to make my recipe then I suggest finding a Carolina-style BBQ sauce (mustard and vinegar based) and mixing it with the honey and white balsamic vinegar per my recipe instructions and it would be just as delicious! Kinda like a Honey BBQ mixed with the spicy rub for an extra kick!Â
Sticky..spicy…sweet…all rolled up into a delicious, easy meal – enjoy!
And bring on those Summer dayssssss!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Good recipe but sweet chicken just does not seem to be that great. Spicy is okay but not sweet.