Juicy Guava BBQ Chicken (Print Version)

Tender roasted chicken with a sweet, tangy guava BBQ glaze offering tropical, bold barbecue flavors.

# What You'll Need:

→ Guava BBQ Sauce

01 - 1 cup guava paste, chopped
02 - 1/2 cup ketchup
03 - 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
04 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
05 - 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
06 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 1/4 cup water

→ Chicken

13 - 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, approximately 2 pounds
14 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
15 - 1 teaspoon salt
16 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
17 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
02 - In a saucepan over medium heat, combine guava paste, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper if using, salt, black pepper, and water. Stir until guava paste melts and sauce achieves smooth consistency. Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat.
03 - Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Rub all sides with olive oil, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, ensuring even coating.
04 - Arrange chicken thighs skin-side up on prepared baking sheet. Roast in preheated oven for 25 minutes.
05 - Brush chicken generously with guava BBQ sauce. Return to oven and roast for 20 to 25 minutes, brushing again halfway through cooking, until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F and glaze becomes caramelized.
06 - Remove chicken from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Serve with remaining sauce on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The homemade guava BBQ sauce delivers a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors with tropical flair.
  • Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs stay incredibly juicy while developing a beautiful caramelized exterior.
  • It's an impressive dish that's actually quite simple to prepare, requiring just one hour from start to finish.
  • The recipe is naturally gluten-free (with the right Worcestershire sauce) and adaptable to personal taste preferences.
02 -
  • For the most flavorful sauce, use good quality guava paste with a high fruit content.
  • Let the chicken come to room temperature before roasting for more even cooking.
  • If you don't have time to make the sauce from scratch, you can prepare it up to a week ahead and store in the refrigerator.
  • For an extra layer of flavor, add a teaspoon of grated fresh ginger to the BBQ sauce.
  • Reserve some sauce before brushing on the raw chicken to serve on the side without cross-contamination.
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