How would you describe your perfect day? I imagine your answer, like mine, would vary depending on mood, circumstance or even the season. Because of the frenetic pace that life has been going lately I’ve found myself, more than a few times, wishing I were on a beach somewhere far away. Then the tragic events of the past week in Boston and Texas, a message in my fortune cookie saying “happiness is not about the absence of conflict but rather having the ability to cope with it” and finally today’s message at church about finding joy in difficult circumstances–rapidly put things in perspective.
Suddenly a perfect day was no longer about being in an exotic locale. Today, I was happy to be home…safe, fully aware once again of the blessing of being able to enjoy the simple things. Today I did not long for that “perfect” day–I lived it, surrounded by the ordinary. I walked out of church with a renewed attitude, ran errands and did chores, I did some gardening with my husband, I prepared a simple meal, I baked a cake. I truly didn’t want anything else.
But just because I felt content about being home didn’t mean I had to forego exotic altogether. I whipped up a batch of barbecue sauce with pineapple, mango and chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for a marinade with a decidedly tropical touch. It was refreshing, sweet and slightly fiery all at once. I marinated some chicken pieces in the sauce and baked them in the oven tonight but I already know this sauce will be making frequent appearances once grilling season is upon us. The sauce may take just seconds to whip up but it tastes far from ordinary. I hope you’ll give it a try.
Chicken with Pineapple-Mango-Chipotle Barbecue Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 shallot
- 5 chipotles with adobo sauce about 1/3 cup; use 3 for less kick
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 1/2 - 2 cups frozen mango and pineapple pieces
- 4 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup lightly-packed brown sugar light brown
- 1 whole chicken cut up or 8-10 chicken pieces (I used 2 half breasts, 3 thighs and 3 drumsticks)
- salt to taste
Instructions
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To prepare the barbecue sauce, place all the ingredients from the shallot to the brown sugar in a blender or food processor and process until smooth. I warmed mine up over the stove just to get a better idea of how it would taste once cooked but you don't have to do this. Feel free to adjust by increasing or reducing the amount of chipotle peppers, vinegar and/or sugar to suit your taste.
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Prep the chicken pieces by rinsing and drying them with paper towels. Season with salt.
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To marinate, toss the chicken pieces in about 2 cups of the barbecue sauce in a large bowl and save the remaining for serving. Marinate for at least 4 hours (better overnight).
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To bake the chicken (you can grill them, too), preheat your oven to 375℉. Tip: You should take the chicken out of the refrigerator about one hour before you plan to bake or grill it to allow it some time to come to room temperature. Arrange the chicken pieces on a baking sheet and bake for about 35 minutes. If you want a browner exterior, set the chicken pieces under a broiler for just a couple of minutes until you get some charring on top. Serve warm with the remaining sauce.
Recipe Notes
This makes about 3 cups barbecue sauce which will leave about 1 cup extra for serving with the cooked chicken.
That is the most appetizing dish of food I’ve seen in a long time. I just love it.
Oh, yum! My kids are not so much into bbq sauce, but oh do I love it! Must be my Texas roots! I’ve recently discovered chiles in adobo sauce and really love the smokey flavor it produces. Wonderful pairing with the fruit!
Your perfect days sounds just right to me! Love the flavors in this BBQ sauce, can’t wait to try it!
Now that warmer days are here, bbq season is at hand! This is a wonderful recipe…love the combo of sweet and spicy…pineapple-mango-chipotle bbq sauce…mmmmmmmm 🙂
Yum! I’ve got a pineapple on the counter now! This is where it’s headed! Beautiful!
Those were my thoughts too, just to be home with my family, hug them and count the blessings!
Your recipe and pictures couldn’t be more delicious, appetizing and tempting. I love each and every pic, and I don’t know which one is better. Fantastic post, Jean!
Over the years, I’ve found countless gems of wisdom in fortune cookies – I keep the tiny, furled bits of paper all in an old (beloved) journal. The one mentioned in your post is brilliant…and poignant.
And I have the feeling that this scrumptious chicken dish will be making it’s way to my table soon! *Love* mangoes and pineapples!
W-O-W!!!!! I saw this picture/post earlier today and I was looking forward to reading your recipe. I was just talking to my husband how happy I am now that it’s his turn to cook. 😉 Pineapple and mango!!!! I’ll be REALLY happy eating this. Your BBQ sauce recipe is saved!
I made a sandwich last night with the leftover chicken–I couldn’t stop adding more of the barbecue sauce before each bite. Already looking forward to making it again. Glad you like it! 🙂
Jean, this looks unbelievably delicious! I can’t wait to make it for barbecue season. Your photos are absolutely wonderful!!!
You are making me long for summer!! Corn on the cob and BBQ chicken are two favorites from the season…and your barbecue sauce sounds like the perfect sweet and spicy balance 🙂
Love me some BBQ chicken baked or grilled it always hits the spot. I like your thoughts on being happy in the moment instead of longing for something else.
It’s almost time for dinner and this is making me really hungry ;-). I’m so ready for outdoor entertaining, grilling and fresh corn! Love a good BBQ sauce, enjoy all the variations and find homemade is always best;-)
Hope you’ve been able to get outside and enjoy all the warm days we’ve had!
I love the ordinary and am amazed that it often takes the chaos of life to remind me just how valuable an afternoon doing ordinary things really is. So glad your version of ordinary happiness includes great food. This BBQ sauce is so perfect for the summer grilling season!
DEFINETLY a recipe for the weekend, weather permitting!
I’ve been thinking of this sauce since I saw it the other day. Totally tempting shots, Jean. This is a fabulous chicken idea!
What a mouthwatering sauce! Delish! So great to see you and Liren over the weekend. You certainly got inspired and made some tasty sauce and chicken!!!!
Oh Jean, that sauce sounds fabulous! Love juicy chicken with a sweet and spicy barbeque sauce. Gorgeous pictures as always!
Those pictures! Amazing, amazing. And the chicken sounds awesome. Interesting flavors!
And a perfect day. Hmm. Like you said… it’d depend on the mood. But I imagine there being lots of food involved. And probably in Italy. That’d be nice. 🙂
Oh my! This recipe is delicious and one you must try. It is sweet and spicy and leaves you looking for more. Thank you for posting such a wonderful tasty delight.
Linda, thanks so much for trying out my recipe and I so appreciate you taking the time to give me feedback! Have a wonderful summer!
Lovely work! Would you be happy to link it in to the current Food on Friday which is about all things BBQ? This is the link . I do hope to see you there. Cheers