Sticky Chicken

Sticky Chicken

No more cries of “not chicken again!” after trying this fun to prepare, family-friendly dish. MPM has been making this chicken for years, always experimenting with the ingredients until satisfied that true “Sticky Gooey Goodness” was achieved. See if you don’t agree.
Servings: 4 to 6
Author: Linda Shapiro, © Meal Planning Maven

Ingredients

Marinade

  • 1/3 cup 100% apricot preserves
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup or natural honey
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon brown rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic chopped
  • Salt and pepper optional
  • 8 chicken wings
  • 4 chicken thighs
  • 4 chicken drumsticks
  • Olive oil spray

Instructions

  • Marinade: combine all ingredients in a non-metal baking dish. Add chicken; turn to cover with marinade. Cover; refrigerate at least 4 hours (preferably overnight).
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Chicken: Lightly coat a large baking dish with olive oil spray. Arrange chicken pieces in pan; pour marinade over. Bake for about 45 minutes, basting occasionally. Chicken is done when cooked through and juices run clear when pricked with a fork. (or 165 degrees F.) Remove chicken from oven.
  • To Make Sticky Sauce: Pour juices from cooked chicken into a small pot. Cook over high heat (mixture should be boiling) until sauce is reduced by half, coats the back of a spoon and thickens into a syrupy consistency. (usually takes 8 to 10 minutes) Brush 1/2 of the sauce over chicken, coating all sides thoroughly. Broil for just a few minutes until sauce caramelizes and chicken skin starts to crisp. Turn chicken pieces over; repeat process with remaining sauce.

Notes

Make Ahead and Storage Tips: chicken may be marinated (in fact it’s preferable) up to 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate until baking time. Cooked chicken may be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen, tightly covered, for up to 4 months. Reheat chicken at 325 degrees F for about 20 minutes or until heated through.
The secret to achieving a truly STICKY sauce is to be patient while the sauce reduces as specified above. If the sauce is not sufficiently thickened and caramelized, it won’t be able to convert into sticky-sweet goodness! If you like a “saucier” chicken, double the marinade.
Feel free to use any chicken parts you desire. “Drumettes” are fun and less messy to eat as the wing tips are already removed.
Sticky Chicken is delish with Crunchy Quinoa

 

6 Responses

  1. Nagi | RecipeTin
    This looks fabulous! I definitely want to give this a go - I am ALWAYS on the lookout for sticky chicken recipes! Have you tried it with other preserves? eg. marmalade, raspberry etc? Would that be weird do you think??<br /><br />Hi Nagi! I have also made this recipe using peach preserves. I have used orange marmalade in a turkey tenderloins recipe and it came out great. <br /><br />http://tinyurl.com/Ornge-Ses-Trky-Tenders<br /><br />I think any type will do...even raspberry! Marmalades can be sweeter, so your sauce may also be a bit sweeter. Enjoy and thanks for stopping by! Linda
  2. Aunt Bee
    I LOVE the maple syrup and apple cider vinegar combo! This is a fantastic recipe! Uncle Bee won't eat chicken on a bone so I will have to try this with Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast for him!<br /><br />Thank you so much Aunt Bee! I think Uncle Bee will love this dish.. maybe try it with boneless chicken breasts with the skin on if possible. Also, the cooking time will no doubt be less. Enjoy!
  3. Kecia
    This looks so delicious! My Honey would love the chicken legs! I love a great sweet glaze on chicken and maple syrup is one of my favorites!!<br /><br />Thank you so much! I hope you have a chance to make my Sticky Chicken for your Honey one day!
  4. This looks totally amazing. Just love the glaze.
  5. Amazing recipe and the glaze is a wonderful recipe.
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thank you so very much! It truly is my family's favorite chicken recipe!