Description
This Tamarind Glazed Grilled Chicken delivers the perfect harmony of sweet, sour, and savory with a sticky caramelized glaze infused with tamarind, garlic, and ginger. Juicy, smoky, and incredibly flavorful, it’s a simple yet impressive dish for barbecues, family dinners, or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs chicken thighs or breasts
- 3 tablespoons tamarind paste
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Whisk together tamarind paste, brown sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, and oil in a bowl until smooth
- Season chicken with salt and pepper, then coat with half the glaze. Marinate for 30 minutes to 2 hours
- Heat grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates to prevent sticking
- Cook chicken 6-8 minutes per side, basting with remaining glaze during last few minutes
- Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for food safety
- Let chicken rest 5 minutes before serving to redistribute juices
Notes
- Soak tamarind paste in warm water for 10 minutes if it’s too thick, then strain for smoother consistency
- Reserve some fresh glaze separately for serving to avoid cross-contamination with raw chicken marinade
- Score the chicken skin lightly to help the glaze penetrate better and prevent shrinkage during cooking
- Use medium heat to prevent the sugars from burning while ensuring the chicken cooks through completely
- Baste only during the final minutes of cooking to prevent the glaze from burning on the grill
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Global, Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg