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Flavorful Brown Sugar Chipotle Chicken Leg Quarters Recipe Perfect for Smoky Dinners

brown sugar chipotle chicken leg quarters - featured image
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This recipe features juicy chicken leg quarters glazed with a sticky, smoky, and sweet brown sugar chipotle sauce, delivering a flavorful and comforting dinner perfect for weeknights or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large chicken leg quarters (about 2 to 2.5 lbs / 900 to 1100 g), skin-on and bone-in
  • 1/3 cup (70 g) brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tablespoons chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Optional garnish: chopped fresh cilantro or parsley

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken leg quarters dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Let rest at room temperature for 15 minutes.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, chopped chipotle peppers, minced garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, olive oil, and apple cider vinegar. Stir until thick and sticky. Adjust salt if needed.
  3. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a cast iron skillet or oven-safe skillet in the oven while preheating.
  4. Remove hot skillet from oven carefully and place on stove over medium-high heat. Place chicken skin-side down and sear for 5-7 minutes until skin is golden and crisp. Do not move chicken during searing.
  5. Flip chicken using tongs. Brush skin side generously with the chipotle brown sugar glaze, then brush the other side as well.
  6. Transfer skillet to oven and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and glaze is bubbly and sticky.
  7. Remove chicken from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before cooking for crispy skin. Use a hot pan and avoid overcrowding. Apply glaze after searing to prevent burning. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). Let chicken rest after cooking to keep juices sealed. Reheat in oven to maintain crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: brown sugar chicken, chipotle chicken, smoky chicken, chicken leg quarters, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, sweet and smoky glaze

Find it online: https://noshbelle.com/flavorful-brown-sugar-chipotle-chicken-leg-quarters-recipe-perfect-for-smoky-dinners/