Jam Coffee Glazed Chicken (Printable)

Tender chicken thighs glazed with apricot jam, coffee, and savory spices for a sweet, smoky finish.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - ½ teaspoon salt
04 - ½ teaspoon black pepper

→ Glaze

05 - 3 tablespoons apricot jam (up to ¼ cup)
06 - 2 tablespoons strong brewed coffee, cooled
07 - 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
08 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
09 - 1 tablespoon brown sugar
10 - 1 garlic clove, minced
11 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

→ Garnish

12 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

# Steps:

01 - Set oven temperature to 400°F.
02 - Pat chicken thighs dry, rub evenly with olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Whisk apricot jam, cooled coffee, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, minced garlic, and smoked paprika until smooth.
04 - Arrange chicken thighs skin-side up in a baking dish or ovenproof skillet and brush with half of the glaze.
05 - Bake uncovered for 25 minutes.
06 - Brush remaining glaze over chicken and bake an additional 15 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F and glaze is caramelized.
07 - Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley as desired before serving warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It turns pantry odds and ends into something that looks like you planned it all week.
  • The glaze caramelizes into a sticky, glossy coat that clings to every bite of crispy skin.
  • Coffee and jam together create a flavor you can't quite name but can't stop eating.
02 -
  • Don't skip drying the chicken, even a little moisture will steam the skin instead of crisping it.
  • Let the coffee cool before mixing or the heat can make the jam seize up and turn gummy.
  • Use a meat thermometer to avoid guessing, overcooked chicken loses all the magic.
03 -
  • Make extra glaze and toss it with roasted vegetables or drizzle over rice for bonus flavor.
  • If your oven runs hot, check the chicken at 35 minutes to avoid burning the glaze.
  • Let the chicken come to room temperature for 15 minutes before baking so it cooks more evenly.
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