Spicy Chicken Recipe
Grilled all-natural chicken breast or thigh meat, sliced and topped with grandma's homemade spicy garlic sauce.
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Ingredients
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Chicken
Grandma's Spicy Garlic Sauce
To Serve
Method
Chicken
Prep the chicken
Trim any excess fat from the chicken. If using breasts, pound gently to even thickness (about 1/2 inch) for even cooking. Pat dry with paper towels.
Season
In a bowl combine 2 tbs olive oil, 1 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground cumin and 1 tbs lemon juice. Rub the mixture evenly over the chicken, coating both sides. Let rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes or refrigerate up to 2 hours.
Grill
Preheat grill to medium-high (about 400°F / 200°C). Oil the grill grates or brush chicken with a little oil. Grill chicken 4-6 minutes per side for breasts (longer for thicker pieces or thighs, until internal temperature reaches 165°F / 74°C). Avoid flipping too often. For char marks, leave undisturbed until release is easy.
Rest and slice
Transfer chicken to a cutting board and let rest 5-7 minutes to redistribute juices. Slice thinly against the grain into 1/4-inch slices.
Grandma's Spicy Garlic Sauce
Bloom the garlic (optional milder flavor)
Warm 1/4 cup neutral oil in a small saucepan over low heat until just warm (do not let it smoke). Add the finely minced garlic and cook gently for 30-45 seconds, stirring, until fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. (If you prefer raw sharp garlic, skip warming and use raw minced garlic.)
Combine sauce ingredients
In a bowl whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, the warmed oil with garlic (or raw garlic), 1 tbs hot sauce, 1 tsp chili paste, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper until smooth and emulsified. Taste and adjust heat or sweetness as desired. If sauce is too thick, add 1-2 tsp water or lemon juice to reach desired consistency.
Finish
Stir in 1 tbs chopped parsley if using. Let the sauce sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to meld flavors, or refrigerate up to 2 days.
Assemble & Serve
Arrange sliced grilled chicken on a serving platter. Spoon generous amounts of grandma's spicy garlic sauce over the top, or serve sauce on the side for dipping.