If you’re looking for a delicious and easy-to-make recipe for spring, then look no further than these Molasses BBQ Chicken Thighs! Perfect for spring get together, and simply enough for weeknight meals, this is one recipe you absolutely need to have in your warm weather repertoire.

The key to this recipe is the Molasses BBQ sauce, which is made with just a few simple ingredients – molasses, garlic, duck sauce, jalapeno, brown sugar, salt, pepper, and vanilla extract – and comes together in a matter of minutes. The sweet and spicy flavor of the molasses is the perfect match for the juicy chicken thighs and creates a dish that’s sure to please the entire family.

The best part of this recipe is that it’s quick and easy to prepare. All you need to do is combine the ingredients for the BBQ sauce, brush it onto the chicken thighs, and bake it in the oven for about twenty-five minutes. The end result is a comforting and delicious meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds.

So if you’re looking for a great spring recipe that’s easy to make and full of flavor, then you can’t go wrong with Chicken Thighs with a Molasses BBQ Sauce. Now, let’s get cooking.

Ingredient Checklist

Chicken Thighs. The meat of today’s recipe. This recipe, naturally, works with chicken legs or wings. I’m using thighs purely as a matter of preference.
Cilantro. Purely for garnish, feel free to leave out or to swap with basil, parsley, or scallions.
Molasses. Brings a sweet and smoky flavor to the BBQ sauce. It also helps to thicken the sauce and gives it a unique depth of flavor.
Garlic. For ‘garlicy bite,’ and a sharp and pungent flavor. It also helps to balance out the sweetness of the molasses.
Duck Sauce. For added thickness, and a hint of background fruitiness and citrus.
Jalapeno. A bit of kick to balance out the sweetness.
Brown Sugar. No BBQ sauce is complete without the classic brown sugar-molasses combo, and today’s is no exception. The brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness to the BBQ sauce. It helps to round out the flavors and adds a nice depth of flavor.
Black Pepper. I’d suggest fresh ground for the best results.
Vanilla. A splash of vanilla plays beautifully with the molasses and brown sugar.

Pairing Suggestions

White Wine. A dry, acidic white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc would pair well with this recipe. The acidity of the wine helps to balance out the sweetness of the BBQ sauce and the smokiness of the chicken. A dry rosé would also work well with this dish. The fruity flavors of the rosé help to cut through the smokiness of the BBQ sauce and bring out the sauce’s sweeter notes.
Onion Rings. These are one of my favorite recipes. Period. They cook up with a deliciously thick and crispy coating, and pair wonderfully with a variety of foods, from burgers and steaks, to today’s Molasses BBQ Chicken Thighs.
Coleslaw. An Asian-style coleslaw that’s sweet, spicy, and crunchy would be a delicious pairing for these chicken thighs.
Grilled Corn. For these chicken thighs, I would suggest sweet grilled corn brushed with a creamy, mayo-based spread then seasoned with chili powder and garlic, and served with a squeeze of citrus and crumbled cotija. One of my favorite warm weather sides.

Molasses BBQ Chicken Thighs

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5 from 10 reviews

Author: Living the Gourmet
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Yield: 4-6 servings 1x

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Ingredients

Scale

8 Chicken Thighs
Cilantro, for garnish

For the Molasses BBQ Sauce:

4 tbs. Molasses
4 cloves of garlic
4 tbs. Duck Sauce
1 jalapeno
1 tbs. Brown sugar
3/4 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. vanilla

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Instructions

Combine all of the ingredients for the sauce in a food processor and process for a few seconds. If you would like a chunkier sauce process a bit less.
Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl and add 3 - 4 tbs. of the bbq sauce and toss.
Place in the refrigerator for at least one hour or up to overnight.
Preheat Oven 400 degrees F.
Cook the thighs for 25 minutes; remove from oven and brush with more bbq sauce.
Return to the oven to finish cooking for another 20 - 25 minutes.
Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Discard the bbq sauce if it has come in contact with the raw chicken.
Garnish with cilantro if desired.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes