Chili Tamarind Chicken
Did you know that tamarind can be very versatile? This recipe combines the smoky, spicy chipotle sauce with the tangy flavor of tamarind, resulting in a flavor burst. These chicken drumsticks are juicy, tender, and flavorful—everything chicken should be!
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 2 lb chicken drumsticks
- 1 whole garlic
Sauce
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp white/black pepper
- 2 tsp tomato paste
- 3 tbsp honey
- 3 tsp molasses
- 3 tbsp unsweetened tamarind sauce
- ½ can Chipotle in adobo sauce
- ½ cup water
Garnishing
- Cilantro mined
- Black Pepper
Instructions
- Blend the Marinade: Start by blending the marinade ingredients together until smooth. In a blender, combine the salt, pepper, tomato paste, honey, molasses, tamarind sauce, chipotle in adobo sauce, and water. Blend until you have a mixture with no lumps or chunks.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken drumsticks in a large bowl or resealable plastic bag. Pour the blended marinade over the chicken, ensuring that each piece is thoroughly coated. For optimal flavor infusion, marinate the chicken in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 4 hours.
- Preheat the Oven: When you're ready to cook, preheat your oven to 360°F (182°C). Take the marinated chicken out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature while the oven heats up.
- Prepare the Garlic: Peel the garlic cloves and set them aside.
- Bake the Chicken: Transfer the marinated chicken to a baking tray lined with foil for easy cleanup. Scatter the peeled garlic cloves around the chicken pieces. Cover the tray with another piece of foil, sealing it tightly. Bake in the preheated oven for about 40-60 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Blend the Sauce: Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the oven and transfer the chicken pieces to a plate. Don't discard the sauce left in the baking tray! Instead, carefully transfer it to a blender along with the roasted garlic cloves. Blend until you have a smooth and luscious sauce.
- Broil the Chicken: Increase the oven temperature to broil. Place the cooked chicken drumsticks back on the baking tray and brush them generously with the blended sauce. Pop the tray back into the oven and broil the chicken for about 20 minutes or until they're beautifully charred and caramelized. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
- Final Touch and Serve: Once the chicken is nicely broiled, remove them from the oven and brush them one last time with the remaining sauce for an extra gloss and a burst of flavor. To finish, garnish your tamarind chicken with freshly chopped cilantro.
Video
Notes
This chili tamarind chicken is best served with rice or naan bread.
It also goes really well with a side of curried cauliflower or roasted carrots. You can also serve it with a fresh salad or some roasted broccoli or brussels sprouts on the side.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!