Spice Rubbed Chicken with Honey Glaze: faster than a marinade

When I think grilling or flavor, I always think marinade. It's the first thought that crosses my mind. If we're bbqing, I think marinade. If I want flavor, I think marinade, which is why many of my recipes ask for a marinade. But I thought I'd mix things up and try a new technique for flavor - and that is the rub. It's not a new technique for many, but for me, it was the first time and I was a bit apprehensive.

I was inspired by a recipe in Cooking Light magazine that called for a spice rub and then finished off with a honey vinegar glaze. I thought I'd take the same concept and try a spice mixture that appealed to my kids and use the honey glaze. Their recipe asked for a broiler and I also was curious about grilling it on the bbq. I did both versions and both were equally good. I did slightly prefer the grill (only because I am a grill girl after all) but not by any significant amount to make it absolutely imperative that the food gets grilled. So feel free to put it in the broiler and enjoy it.

This pairs excellently with Sesame Noodles with Cilantro and Scallion

Spiced Rubbed Chicken with Honey Glaze (adapted from Cooking Light magazine)
Makes 12 chicken thighs (about 6 servings, 2 thighs each.)

12 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
4 cloves of garlic minced or crushed
2 tablespoons of paprika
1 teaspooon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cayenne (add more or less if you are concerned about the spiciness)
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablepoons olive oil

1/2 cup honey
3 tablespoons vinegar (I used rice vinegar)

Broiler (oven) instructions
1. Preheat broiler.

2. Mix garlic, paprika, cinnamon, cayenne, salt and olive oil in a bowl. Mix well. Add chicken thighs and rub well so that the mixture coats all the chicken pieces evenly. (I use a disposable glove as I don't love rubbing up close to raw chicken.)

3. On a foil lined broiler pan, lay the chicken pieces. Broil until chicken is cooked - about 5 minutes per side. (I actually forgot to flip it and it was fine in there for 10 minutes, but watch your oven carefully as mine is not as hot as I think it is.)

4. While chicken is cooking, mix together honey and vinegar. If it doesn't mix well, you can microwave it for about 15 seconds to loosen things up.

5. Remove chicken from oven. Brush chicken with honey vinegar glaze. Cook for 1-2 minutes more.

6. Place chicken on a plate and drizzle remaining honey vinegar sauce on top.

BBQ grill instructions

1. Mix garlic, paprika, cinnamon, cayenne, salt and olive oil in a bowl. Mix well. Add chicken thighs and rub well so that the mixture coats all the chicken pieces evenly. (I use a disposable glove as I don't love rubbing up close to raw chicken.)

2. On the grill, place chicken over medium high heat. Cook about 5-7 minutes on each side.

3. While chicken is cooking, mix the vinegar and honey together.

4. Brush the honey vinegar glaze over the chicken pieces. Cook for an additional minute.

5. Plate chicken and drizzle remaining honey glaze over the chicken.

Printable recipe

Chicken with Sesame Noodles