Chipotle BBQ Peach Chicken Thighs

These BBQ Chipotle Peach Chicken Thighs are seasoned, seared, and baked in a sweet and tangy peach BBQ sauce until perfectly juicy. The chipotle adds a subtle kick that pairs perfectly with the peachy sweetness.

It's no secret, I'm obsessed with chicken thighs! They're easy to cook, forgiving, and moist, plus they pair so well with a delicious sauce.

These peach BBQ chipotle chicken thighs are made with sweet peach, shallots, chipotle, and fresh sage. It's a delicious mashup of sweet and spicy!

If you love savory peach recipes, you will love these chicken thighs. They're my summer obsession!

(Try my chimichurri chicken thighs, oven baked chicken thighs, or my tangy mustard chicken thighs too! All easy, all amazing!)

Key Ingredients

• Chicken thighs - Chicken thighs are flavorful and stay juicy, even if they're cooked a little too long. I prefer boneless, skinless chicken thighs because they're easy to prepare and enjoy without having to work around the bone.
• Spices - I love the onion, garlic, and smoked paprika combo for these! Feel free to switch up the spices if you prefer.
• Peach - A combo of fresh peach and peach jam gives the sauce a sweet, peachy flavor! Be sure to peel and de-pit the peach first.
• Chipotles - I've made this recipe using both one and two chipotle peppers. I personally prefer it with two for the extra smoky heat, but my sister found it too spicy. Unless you really enjoy spicy food, I recommend sticking with one chipotle pepper.
• BBQ sauce – I used Sweet Baby Ray's because that's what I had on hand, but any thick barbecue sauce you enjoy will work well. Since it's a key ingredient, choose a brand with a flavor you love.
• Shallot - I am obsessed with shallots in skillet recipes! It mellows as it cooks and gives the sauce texture too.

Instructions

Since easy recipes are a MUST around my house, this skillet chicken recipe is no different!

• Season chicken thighs - We want to build layers of flavor, starting with the chicken! Season both sides!

• Make the sauce - Blend up everything but the shallot for the sauce. It should be mostly smooth without any big chunks of peach or garlic. Add the shallots at the end.

• Sear the chicken - In a very hot, oven-safe skillet, sear both sides of the chicken to get a nice caramelization.

• Pour the peach chipotle sauce over all the chicken thighs and put the skillet in the oven.
• Let the chicken bake for 25 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Enjoy over rice or with whatever sides you like!

Recipe Tips

• Place the chicken thighs in the hot skillet and let them sear undisturbed for 3 minutes. Avoid moving or flipping them during this time so they can develop a rich, golden-brown crust as they caramelize against the hot surface.
• If you love a spicy dish, use two chipotles instead of one. I've made it both ways! Two was a bit too hot for my sister and family. One chipotle gives it a subtle kick and two makes it more pronounced.

Storage

• Store leftover chicken thighs and the sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Reheat in the microwave on a microwave-safe plate until hot throughout.

How to Serve it

• With rice! My favorite way to serve this dish is with a pack of microwaveable rice. Trader Joe's sells organic frozen jasmine rice packets that I love. Or I buy the sticky rice packs in bulk at Costco.
• These saucy chicken thighs would taste amazing with gouda kale mashed potatoes or garlic olive oil mashed potatoes!
• If you're avoiding simple carbs, a side of steamed broccoli or roasted vegetables is delicious too!