Chicken Thighs in Honey-Sesame Marinade
Chicken thighs marinated overnight in honey, sesame seeds, lime, and warm spices like cinnamon, cumin, and ginger. Grilled or broiled until sticky and caramelized with a gentle kick of cayenne.
YIELD
6 servingsPREP
10 minCOOK
25 minREADY
45 minThis marinade reads like a spice bazaar and tastes even better.
Honey and sesame seeds create a sticky, nutty base, then cinnamon, cumin, ginger, paprika, and turmeric pile on layers of warm, aromatic flavor.
Lime juice brightens everything up and cayenne adds a slow burn at the back of each bite.
Let the thighs soak overnight so the marinade can really work its way in. On the grill, that honey caramelizes into charred, lacquered edges that shatter when you bite through them.
No grill? The broiler gets the job done in about 5 minutes.
Kitchen Tips
- Watch the grill carefully; honey burns fast so keep the heat moderate and avoid flare-ups
- The overnight marinade is key here; anything less than 8 hours and the spices won’t fully penetrate the meat
- Broiling on a greased sheet pan is the fastest option and gives you similar caramelization with less fuss
Ingredients
Directions
In a large bowl, combine the honey, sesame seeds, ginger, cinnamon, cumin, paprika, turmeric, cayenne, lime juice, and olive oil.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Pour over the chicken thighs and marinate, covered, overnight in the refrigerator.
When ready to cook, remove the chicken from the marinade and grill about 6 to 8 minutes on each side, being careful not to let the flames flare up.
If broiling, place on a greased baking sheet and cook 5 min.
Comments
