Chocolate Chicken
Indulge in a bold fusion of savory and sweet with this irresistible Chocolate Chicken recipe! Tender, golden-browned chicken thighs are braised in a rich and velvety sauce made from dark chocolate, aromatic spices like cumin, cinnamon, and smoked paprika, and a touch of honey for balance. The flavors meld beautifully with sautéed onion and garlic, creating a dish that's as comforting as it is sophisticated. Perfectly suited for serving over fluffy rice or accompanied by crusty bread to soak up every bit of the decadent sauce, this dish offers a unique twist on classic braised chicken. Ready in under an hour, it's an impressive dinner idea that’s equal parts easy and adventurous, perfect for showcasing your culinary creativity!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 6 pieces chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion (finely chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 3 ounces dark chocolate (70% cacao or higher, finely chopped)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (chopped, for garnish)
- optional cooked rice or crusty bread (for serving)
Instructions
Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season them with salt and black pepper on all sides.
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs, skin side down, and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
In the same pan, reduce the heat to medium and add the chopped onion. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and golden. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Stir in the tomato paste, ground cumin, cinnamon, and smoked paprika, and cook for 1 minute to toast the spices.
Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pan to deglaze, loosening any browned bits. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Reduce the heat to low and add the finely chopped dark chocolate, stirring until melted and fully incorporated into the sauce.
Stir in the honey and return the chicken thighs to the pan, skin side up. Ensure the chicken is partially submerged in the sauce.
Cover the pan and simmer gently for 30 minutes, basting the chicken with the sauce occasionally. Ensure the chicken is cooked through and registers an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt or honey, if needed.
Garnish the dish with fresh cilantro and serve hot over cooked rice or with crusty bread, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2729 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 177.5 g | 228% | |
| Saturated Fat | 61.1 g | 306% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 729 mg | 243% | |
| Sodium | 3689 mg | 160% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 113.0 g | 41% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.8 g | 56% | |
| Total Sugars | 49.8 g | ||
| Protein | 178.7 g | 357% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 297 mg | 23% | |
| Iron | 23.3 mg | 129% | |
| Potassium | 3220 mg | 69% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
