Salmon with Lentils

Yields 8 servings, 2 cups of sauce.
Directions for: Sweet and Spicy Apricot BBQ Chicken Thighs

Ingredients

Apricot BBQ Sauce

Canola oil

1 cup finely chopped yellow onion (1 small onion)

1 Tbsp minced Fresno chile, seeds removed (1 chile)

1 Tbsp minced garlic (4 cloves)

1 13-oz jar apricot jam

cup fresh orange juice (1 large orange)

cup apple cider vinegar

cup ketchup

2 Tbsp honey

2 Tbsp Dijon mustard

1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Chicken Thighs

2 tsp smoked paprika

Kosher saltand freshly ground black pepper

16 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

Canola oil

Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Directions

Apricot BBQ Sauce

1. Heat 1 tablespoon canola oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the chile and garlic; cook an additional 2 minutes. Stir in the apricot jam; cook until the jam melts, 3 to 4 minutes more. Pour in the orange juice and cider vinegar, bring to a simmer, and then add the ketchup, honey, Dijon and Worcestershire. Adjust the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring often, until thickened, 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool for 5 minutes.

2. Transfer the sauce to a blender and puree until smooth. Add salt to taste. Remove 1 cup for basting the chicken; reserve the rest for serving.

Chicken Thighs

1. Preheat the oven to 375F. In a small bowl, stir together the smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper.

2. Place the chicken thighs on two foil-lined baking sheets. Lightly coat the thighs with canola oil and sprinkle liberally with the spice mixture on both sides.

3. Bake until the chicken is cooked through, 35 minutes. Turn the oven to broil. Baste the chicken with BBQ sauce and broil until the sauce has caramelized and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the chicken reads 160F, about 2 minutes. Remove to a platter, let rest for 5 minutes

4. Sprinkle the chicken with parsley, and serve with the reserved BBQ sauce.

Tips and Substitutions

When blending hot liquid, first let it cool for five minutes or so, then transfer it to a blender, filling only halfway. Put the lid on, leaving one corner open. Cover the lid with a kitchen towel to catch splatters, and pulse until smooth.

See more: Chicken, Dinner, Fruit, Grill, Main