Grilled Chicken Thighs with Ancho-Tequila Glaze

By nanarose

Steven Raichlen, Cooking Light

JULY 2012

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups hickory wood chips
• 1 tablespoon ancho chile powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated garlic
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 12 bone-in chicken thighs, skinned (about 2 1/2 pounds)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 6 tablespoons amber agave syrup
• 3 tablespoons tequila
• 1 1/2 tablespoons hot sauce
• 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
• 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• Cooking spray
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
• 6 lime wedges

Details

Servings 6
Adapted from myrecipes.com

Preparation

Step 1

1. Soak wood chips in water 30 minutes; drain well.

2. Preheat grill to medium-high heat using both burners. After preheating, turn the left burner off (leave the right burner on). Pierce the bottom of a disposable aluminum foil pan several times with the tip of a knife. Place pan on heat element on heated side of grill; add wood chips to pan. Let chips stand for 15 minutes or until smoking.

3. Combine chile powder and next 5 ingredients (through salt) in a medium bowl. Add chicken to bowl; toss well. Add oil to bowl; toss well.

4. Place syrup and next 5 ingredients (through red pepper) in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cook until mixture is reduced to 1/2 cup and begins to thicken (about 3 minutes). Reserve syrup mixture.

5. Place chicken, meaty side down, on grill rack coated with cooking spray over left burner (indirect heat). Brush chicken with 2 tablespoons syrup mixture; grill 15 minutes. Turn chicken over. Brush with 2 tablespoons syrup mixture; grill 15 minutes. Turn chicken over and move to direct heat; grill 5 minutes or until done. Garnish with cilantro, if desired. Serve with remaining syrup mixture and lime wedges.