Sticky Sweet Baked Chicken

Happy Friday!

I've woken up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. I'm serious! I must have done the unthinkable and taken care of myself while I was sick, because I woke up today feeling great. I'm so happy, because I'm supposed to meet one of my friends at the gym this morning. Now I don't have to cancel, and the hubby and I can have a great weekend. Yep, feeling healthy makes such a huge difference. It must have been all the fruit I snacked on. Don't underestimate the powder of Vitamin C!

I love baked chicken. A lot of people aren't aware that the oven is a great place to get your chicken crunchy, like fried chicken, without the oil. It's so simple. I coat the chicken in a seasoned flour(usually flour, salt, pepper, maybe a little cayenne), throw it on a baking sheet, and let the oven work its magic. While I'm baking the chicken, I prepare a glaze which I slather on those chickens as soon as they come out of the oven. The result is crispy, tender, and delicious chicken which is decidedly healthier for you without omitting flavor. Although you could use this method on any cut of chicken, I prefer to use this method on bone-in chicken pieces. Something about the bones helps keep the chicken moist during the baking process. The hubby thinks I'm crazy, but I love eating these cold out of the fridge the next day. So good!

So, my kitchen. About once a week (or more), I spend most of the day in the kitchen. It's usually the same day as shopping. It starts with chopping up and storing all my fruits and veggies for the week. I usually have to make breakfast and lunch burritos, as well as a batch of homemade Egg McMuffins. On to salsa. I make salsa every week, and this week I made pesto as well. While I was preparing the burritos, I was baking Pistachio Bread. And finally, I was prepping everything for dinner. Once the kitchen is cleaned, I don't feel like getting back in there that day. So I prep for dinner while I'm doing everything else, that way I don't have an excuse to go pick up a pizza because I'm too tired.

Looks like a bomb went off huh? I love it.

Have a great weekend friends :)

Ingredients:

Assorted chicken pieces (I used 3 drumsticks and 3 thighs)
1 cup flour
1 tbsp kosher salt
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp soy sauce
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp ginger
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400º. Lightly coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
2. Dry off chicken pieces. In a small bowl, combine flour through cayenne pepper. Whisk to combine. Dredge chicken pieces in flour, place on baking sheet. Bake in oven for 40-45 minutes, or until chicken reaches 160º and is browned and crispy. Remove from oven.
3. While chicken is baking, prepare glaze. In a small skillet, combine balsamic vinegar through black pepper. Cook over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes, or until glaze has thickened and reduced by half.
4. Brush glaze on chicken pieces. Sprinkle chicken pieces with sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

Recipe adapted from The Novice Chef

Linked to: Weekend Potluck