Description

Honey Butter Peach Chicken is a delightful sweet and savory dish that combines tender chicken thighs with crispy pancetta, rich butter, and fresh peaches caramelized to perfection. This recipe creates a luscious sauce from honey, butter, and chicken broth, enhanced with fresh herbs, making a comforting yet elegant meal perfect for a cozy dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

1 pound Chicken Thighs (or chicken breasts for a leaner option)
4 ounces Pancetta (or bacon as a substitute)

Vegetables & Aromatics

1 medium Shallot (or yellow onion as a substitute)
2 cloves Garlic (fresh is best, but garlic powder can be used)
2 medium Peaches (or nectarines as an alternative)

Dairy & Sweeteners

4 tablespoons Butter (unsalted for better seasoning control)
1/4 cup Honey (or maple syrup for a twist)

Liquids & Herbs

1 cup Chicken Broth (use low-sodium to control saltiness)
1 teaspoon Fresh Thyme (or dried thyme if fresh is unavailable)
1 tablespoon Fresh Basil (for garnish)

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the chicken later.
Season Chicken: Season the chicken thighs evenly with half of your preferred seasoning blend to enhance flavor.
Cook Pancetta: In a sauté pan over medium heat, cook the pancetta until it is crispy. Once cooked, remove and drain on paper towels to remove excess fat.
Sear Chicken: Using the same pan with pancetta drippings, sear the chicken thighs for 1-2 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown crust.
Sauté Aromatics: Add the shallots to the pan and sauté for about 2 minutes until softened, then add minced garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes while stirring.
Deglaze Pan: Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up all the flavorful browned bits. Let it cook for 3 minutes to concentrate the flavors.
Add Butter and Honey: Stir in butter and honey until fully melted and incorporated into the sauce.
Meld Flavors: Return the seared chicken thighs to the pan, spoon the sauce over the top, then cover the pan to trap moisture.
Bake Chicken: Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes to cook the chicken through and meld flavors.
Add Peaches and Broil: After baking, add the peaches to the pan, spoon additional sauce over them, and place under the broiler for 3-5 minutes until the peaches are caramelized and bubbly.
Garnish and Serve: Finish by garnishing your dish with fresh basil, thyme, sea salt, and cracked black pepper before serving hot.

Notes

Chicken breasts can be used instead of thighs for a leaner option but watch baking time closely to avoid drying out.
Pancetta can be substituted with bacon if pancetta is unavailable, keeping the flavor profile similar.
Fresh peaches add the best flavor and texture, but nectarines work well as an alternative.
Use unsalted butter to control the saltiness of the dish, especially if the pancetta or broth contains salt.
To intensify sweetness, maple syrup can replace honey for a slightly different flavor twist.
For a more herbaceous note, consider adding a pinch of dried thyme if fresh is not at hand.