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Honey Butter Peach Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 53 reviews

Honey Butter Peach Chicken is a delightful dish combining succulent chicken thighs with sweet peaches, savory pancetta, and a luscious honey butter sauce infused with fresh herbs. This recipe involves searing the chicken and pancetta on the stovetop, then finishing in the oven with a flavorful sauce that is spooned over the chicken and peaches, creating a perfect balance of savory and sweet.

Ingredients

Scale

Seasoning

  • 2 tsp sea salt, divided
  • 1 tsp fresh cracked pepper, divided
  • 1 tsp oregano, divided
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp paprika, divided

Main Ingredients

  • 8 oz pancetta
  • 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil (divided)
  • 6 chicken thighs
  • 1 large shallot
  • 3 cloves garlic, grated or pressed
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 stick of butter (1/2 cup)
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 large peaches, sliced
  • Fresh basil (for topping)
  • Additional fresh thyme (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Season the Chicken: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Season the chicken thighs with half of the sea salt, pepper, oregano, and paprika on one side, then flip and season the other side with the remaining half. Set aside.
  2. Cook the Pancetta: In a sauté pan, cook the pancetta over medium heat for about 3 minutes until it turns dark red. Remove the pancetta and any rendered oil, placing it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess grease. Lightly wipe out the pan.
  3. Sear the Chicken: Add 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil to the pan and heat over medium. Add the chicken thighs and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side, depending on thickness, until lightly browned. Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. Sauté Shallots and Garlic: Add 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil to the pan. Add the chopped shallots and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Then add the grated garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes, continuing to stir frequently to prevent burning.
  5. Deglaze the Pan: Pour in the chicken broth and deglaze the pan, scraping up all browned bits from the bottom. Let it cook over medium heat for about 3 minutes while continuously scraping to incorporate flavors.
  6. Add Butter and Honey: Stir in the stick of butter until completely melted. Add the honey and mix until well combined. Return the chicken thighs to the pan and add the fresh thyme sprigs.
  7. Bake the Chicken: Spoon the sauce over the chicken to coat thoroughly. Cover the pan and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 15 minutes to finish cooking the chicken in the sauce.
  8. Add Peaches and Broil: Remove the pan from the oven and add the sliced peaches around the chicken. Spoon sauce over the peaches and chicken. Switch the oven to broil and broil for 3-5 minutes or until peaches become soft and slightly caramelized. Watch closely to avoid burning.
  9. Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh basil, extra thyme, and sprinkle additional sea salt and cracked fresh pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Make sure to spoon sauce over the chicken and peaches before baking and broiling for maximum flavor absorption.
  • If you don’t have pancetta, you can substitute with thick-cut bacon, though the flavor will differ slightly.
  • Adjust honey quantity if you prefer a sweeter or less sweet sauce.
  • Keep an eye on the peaches while broiling, as broiler strengths vary and peaches can quickly burn.
  • Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful results.

Keywords: Honey Butter Chicken, Peach Chicken, Pancetta Chicken, Savory Sweet Chicken, Baked Chicken Thighs

Find it online: https://nataliereeve.com/honey-butter-peach-chicken-recipe/