Cocoa-Blackened Chicken Thighs With Stone Fruit

Cocoa-Blackened Chicken Thighs With Stone Fruit

By JESSE SZEWCZYK
Total time 25 MINUTES
Serves 4

Cocoa powder and Old Bay seasoning combine to create a spice mix that turns nearly black when cooked yet tastes complex and anything but burnt. If using Creole seasoning instead of Old Bay, look for a blend like Tony Chachere’s or Zatarain’s that contains salt. But if yours doesn’t, add ½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt to the mix. Chicken thighs take well to the spice mix, searing quickly to create an appetizing crust. Serving the thighs atop a cooling stone fruit salad enlivened with fresh mint and shallots make for a striking dinner that’s as flavorful as it is arresting.

Ingredients

INGREDIENTS

1 Tbsp. Guittard Cocoa Rouge Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

2 Tbsp. Old Bay or Creole seasoning (such as Tony Chachere’s or Zatarain’s)

2 lb. skinless, boneless chicken thighs (4–6), patted dry

6 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided

Juice of 3 limes

3 garlic cloves, finely grated

1 Tbsp. honey

½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¼ tsp.

Morton kosher salt, plus more

½ tsp. freshly ground pepper, plus more

2 medium shallots, thinly sliced into rings

1½ lb. mixed stone fruit (such as peaches, nectarines, and/or plums), sliced

½ cup (lightly packed) mint leaves

Preparation

STEP 1

Stir Old Bay and cocoa powder in a small bowl to combine. Sprinkle spice mix all over chicken thighs. Heat 3 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium- high. Arrange chicken in pan in a single layer and cook, turning halfway though, until blackened in spots, cooked through, and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of each thigh registers 165°, 10–14 minutes, depending on thickness. Transfer to a cutting board.

STEP 2

Whisk lime juice, garlic, honey, ½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt, ½ tsp. pepper, and remaining 3 Tbsp. oil in a large bowl to combine. Add shallots, stone fruit, and mint and gentle toss to coat. Taste salad and season with more salt and pepper if needed.

STEP 3

Transfer fruit salad to a platter. Slice chicken thighs and arrange on top. Pour any dressing left in bowl over.

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