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Flavorful Sticky Pomegranate Chicken

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A quick and easy sticky pomegranate chicken recipe with a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors, ideal for cozy nights in.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1 pound / 450 g)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (or any neutral oil)
  • 1/3 cup pomegranate molasses (about 80 ml)
  • 2 tablespoons honey (raw or wildflower honey works best)
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then season both sides generously with salt and pepper. (About 5 minutes)
  2. Place your skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Let it heat until it shimmers but doesn’t smoke. (2 minutes)
  3. Lay the chicken thighs skin-side down (if skin-on) or just one side if skinless, into the hot pan. Cook without moving for about 5-6 minutes until deep golden brown and crispy. Flip and cook the other side for 4-5 minutes until nearly cooked through. (10-12 minutes)
  4. While the chicken cooks, whisk together the pomegranate molasses, honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, cinnamon, cumin, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl.
  5. Lower the heat to medium-low. Pour the glaze over the chicken evenly. Spoon some of the sauce over the top and let it gently bubble. The sauce will thicken and become sticky in about 5-7 minutes. Turn the chicken occasionally to coat well but be gentle to avoid tearing the meat.
  6. Check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). If not, cover loosely and cook a few more minutes until done and glaze is thick and clingy. (5-7 minutes)
  7. Transfer the chicken to a serving plate. Spoon any remaining sticky glaze from the pan over the top. Scatter pomegranate seeds and chopped parsley or cilantro for garnish.

Notes

If glaze thickens too quickly, add a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen. Avoid stirring aggressively once glaze is added to build a sticky coating. Use chicken thighs for juiciness. For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days and can be frozen for up to 2 months (remove garnish before freezing).

Nutrition

Keywords: pomegranate chicken, sticky chicken, easy chicken recipe, cozy dinner, pomegranate molasses, quick chicken, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://bouncybowl.com/flavorful-sticky-pomegranate-chicken-recipe-easy-for-cozy-night-in/