Name: Sticky Grilled Chicken with Pomegranate-Apricot Glaze
Cook time: 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Ingredients: 10 garlic cloves, forced through a garlic press or minced; 1 Tbsp grated peeled ginger; 2 tsp paprika; 1 1/2 tsp ground coriander; 3/4 tsp ground cumin; Rounded 1/4 tsp cayenne; 1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil; 2 cups bottled unsweetened pomegranate juice; 1 cup apricot jam (12 oz.), forced through a sieve if chunky; 2 Tbsp molasses (not robust or blackstrap); 2 whole chickens (about 3 1/2 lb each), cut into 10 serving pieces (see cook’s note below)

Photo of Grilled Sticky Molasses Chicken

Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food Styling by Simon Andrews

There will never be too many ways to barbecue chicken. In this recipe, molasses and apricot jam lend a deliciously sweet and sticky glaze to this summertime grilling staple.

Cook’s notes:

To cut a chicken into 10 pieces, cut each breast half into 3 pieces, then separate drumsticks and thighs. Backbones can be used to make chicken stock.

Chicken can be roasted, skin side down first, in 2 foil-lined 17 by 11-inch 4 sided sheet pans in upper and lower third of oven at 475 ̊F, turning and basting occasionally, about 40 minutes.

Sauce can be made 3 days ahead and chilled.

Recipe information

Total Time
1 hour

Ingredients

10 garlic cloves, forced through a garlic press or minced

1 Tbsp grated peeled ginger

2 tsp paprika

1 1/2 tsp ground coriander

3/4 tsp ground cumin

Rounded 1/4 tsp cayenne

1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil

2 cups bottled unsweetened pomegranate juice

1 cup apricot jam (12 oz.), forced through a sieve if chunky

2 Tbsp molasses (not robust or blackstrap)

2 whole chickens (about 3 1/2 lb each), cut into 10 serving pieces (see cook’s note below)

Preparation

Step 1
Cook garlic, ginger, spices, and 1 tsp. kosher salt in oil in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add pomegranate juice and boil until reduced to 1 cup, 12 to 19 minutes. Remove from heat, and then add jam and molasses and stir until jam has melted. Cool (it will thicken slightly). Transfer 3/4 cup sauce to a bowl and reserve for serving.
Step 2
Prepare grill for indirect heat cooking over medium hot charcoal (medium heat for gas).
Step 3
Pat chicken dry and season all over with 4 tsp. kosher salt. Oil grill rack, then grill chicken (in batches if necessary) skin side down first, directly over coals (covered only if using gas grill), turning once, until browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Move to area with no coals underneath (or over turned off burner for gas) and brush with some of sauce. Continue to grill, partially covered for charcoal (covered for gas), turning and brushing with sauce occasionally, until cooked through and well-glazed, 7 to 8 minutes for breasts, 15 to 20 minutes for dark meat.

TagsGarlic Root Vegetable Vegetable Ginger Herbs & Spices Molasses Whole Chicken Chicken Poultry Main Dinner Dairy Free Gluten Free Nut Free Grilling Epicurious

Recipe notes

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