Description
How to make crispy chipotle honey chicken thighs with smoked gouda mashed potatoes that create the perfect sweet and smoky dinner combination.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, minced
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons adobo sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Smoked Gouda Mashed Potatoes
- 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 4 ounces smoked gouda cheese, grated
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Seasonings and Finishing
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken: Mix chipotle peppers, honey, adobo sauce, olive oil, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Coat chicken thighs thoroughly and marinate 30 minutes minimum for best flavor penetration.
- Prepare Potatoes: Boil cubed potatoes in salted water until fork-tender, about 15-18 minutes. Drain completely and let steam dry for 2 minutes to prevent watery mashed potatoes.
- Sear Chicken: Heat oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken skin-side down for 5-6 minutes until golden and crispy. Flip once and sear 3 more minutes.
- Finish Cooking: Transfer skillet to 425°F oven and bake 20-25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Brush with remaining marinade halfway through for extra glaze.
- Mash Potatoes: Mash drained potatoes with butter, then gradually add warm cream and grated smoked gouda. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper until creamy.
- Rest and Serve: Let chicken rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish mashed potatoes with fresh chives and serve alongside chicken with lime wedges for brightness.
Notes
- Don’t skip patting chicken dry – wet skin won’t crisp properly.
- Store leftovers in airtight containers up to 3 days refrigerated.
- Substitute regular cheddar if smoked gouda isn’t available.
- Marinate chicken at least 30 minutes for best flavor development.
- Warm cream before adding to prevent cheese from seizing.
- Let chicken rest 5 minutes after cooking for juiciest results.
Allergy Information: Dairy
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Protein: 32g