Aleppo Pepper and Apricot Glazed Chicken Thigh Recipe
One of the intriguing ingredients that made the Spice Routes the stuff of legends, Aleppo pepper brings complexity to dishes with a perfect kiss of heat.
What is Aleppo pepper?
Sadly, today the Aleppo is considered an endangered ingredient. That is, of course, because its homeland is a battleground. That’s right, Aleppo pepper originated in northern Syrian, in the countryside surrounding the city of Aleppo. But because Aleppo is such a special ingredient, demand has caused a spice industry to crop up in neighboring Turkey. True, the Turkish peppers are not genuine Aleppo peppers but are referred to as Aleppo-style peppers. They are, however, the very same variety and offer the robust flavor of sweet heat and an alluringly fruity tang.
Thanks to Diane Scalia, a founder of Los Angeles’ Melting Pot Tours, we’re able to share the magic of the Aleppo with you in a very compelling glazed chicken thigh dish. The heat of the pepper, combines with the sweet tang of apricot and succulent chicken thighs in a recipe that is simple, sexy and so satisfying.
Why you’ll love this glazed chicken thigh recipe
But what we love most about this glazed chicken thigh recipe is the simplicity. There is many a chef who will turn up their nose at chicken because it fails to excite the senses. But here Diane shows how easily you can add layers of sweetness and spice to transform ordinary chicken into a food to remember.
Why you should serve it on date night
Why is this a recipe for a romantic dinner? Isn’t chicken an awfully mundane food?
Chicken might be a weeknight staple but this recipe teases the palate with layers of aphrodisiac flavors. For starters, there’s the famous pepper that gives the dish its name. Although Aleppo pepper, (or Aleppo-style pepper) doesn’t carry the heat of say a habanero or even a jalapeno, it still offers enough heat to have aphrodisiac effects. Learn more about the romantic promise of chiles.
And then, of course, there’s the apricot. This small, fuzz-skinned stone fruit has a tangy sweetness that matches the faint sweetness of Aleppo pepper beautifully. Here, it forms the base of the glaze that gives these glazed chicken thighs their succulent moisture. As an aphrodisiac, apricot hasn’t received the notoriety of other fruits like apple and pomegranate. But it has much to offer in the games of love. Enjoy this recipe with your sweetie for a truly happy ending.
Apricot-Aleppo Pepper Glazed Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups apricot preserves
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp Aleppo pepper
- 8 bone-in chicken thighs
- extra-virgin olive oil
- sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F.
- In a small bowl, combine the preserves, soy sauce, balsamic and Aleppo pepper for the glaze. Set aside.
- Place chicken thighs in single layer in shallow baking dish, drizzle lightly with olive oil, sprinkle lightly with salt.
- Roast chicken pieces for 45 minutes, then drain off most of pan juices.
- Brush thighs generously with glaze, and roast for an additional 15-20 minutes.
- Serve with any remaining glaze spooned over chicken.
Amy is considered a leading authority on aphrodisiacs. Her work in aphrodisiacs is quoted in publications including National Geographic, The New York Times, Epicurious, Wine Enthusiast, Health and Playboy magazines. She speaks internationally on aphrodisiac foods and has brought her knowledge of aphrodisiac history and science to national television shows including The Today Show and CBS Early Show. She is a frequent guest on relationship and lifestyle radio and podcast shows and has been interviewed by BBC and NPR radio, Cosmopolitan radio and popular podcasts including My Dad Wrote a Porno.
Amy is also a freelance food, wine and health researcher and writer as well as a wine competition judge. Her work has appeared in publications ranging from Variety to The Daily Meal. She is an MSN content provider. And she is also a former wine editor for Gayot.com and wine & spirits editor of Las Vegas magazine.
Fun fact: Amy was the creator of the first ever comprehensive food and wine apps, Amy Reiley's Pocket Gourmet and Amy Reiley's Pocket Vineyard for Palm.
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Perfectly simple recipe that has amazing flavor! I stocked up on aleppo pepper while Aleppo was under attack and need to use it before it goes stale. It is sad that Aleppo is still in a war zone.