Spiced Autumn Chicken with Apple Pumpkin Glaze
Embrace the flavors of fall with this delectable Spiced Autumn Chicken, featuring juicy chicken breasts and a decadent apple pumpkin glaze. Infused with warm spices like ginger and cumin, and complemented by the sweetness of honey and pumpkin ale, this dish is a delightful fusion of American and Indian cuisine. Perfectly grilled to a tender finish, the chicken is served alongside a velvety apple pumpkin sauce that adds a rich, comforting touch to your meal. Ideal for gathering around the grill on crisp autumn days, this recipe delivers a remarkable culinary experience that pairs beautifully with roasted pork or grilled salmon. Prep the sauce and marinade the chicken a day in advance for a hassle-free dinner that’s sure to impress your family and friends.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
22
Ingredients
Ingredients
Harvest Pumpkin Ale
12 ounces (None)
Honey or Maple Syrup
1/2 cup (None)
Vegetable Oil
2 tablespoons (None)
Soy Sauce or Tamari
2 tablespoons (None)
Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (Fresh ground)
Ginger
1/2 teaspoon (Fresh or ground)
Cumin
1 teaspoon (Ground)
Curry Powder
1 teaspoon (Ground)
Mango Powder or Amchur (optional)
1/2 teaspoon (None)
Onion
1 small (Minced)
Garlic Cloves
6 (Minced)
Sriracha Sauce
1/4 cup (None)
Boneless Chicken Breasts
4 (Scored)
Pumpkin Puree
14 ounces (None)
Apple Cider
3/4 cup (None)
Sugar
3/4 cup (None)
Ground Curry Powder
1/2 teaspoon (None)
Ground Ginger
1/2 teaspoon (None)
Ground Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon (None)
Cardamom
1/2 teaspoon (Ground)
Chili Pepper Flakes (optional)
1 pinch (None)
Apple Liqueur (Korn)
1 tablespoon (None)
Instructions
1
Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl, combine the harvest pumpkin ale, honey or maple syrup, vegetable oil, soy sauce or tamari, black pepper, ginger, cumin, curry powder, mango powder (if using), minced onion, minced garlic, and sriracha sauce. Stir well to combine.
2
Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken in a shallow dish or zip-top bag. Pour half of the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Cover and refrigerate overnight, turning occasionally to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
3
Prepare the Glaze: In a saucepan, bring the remaining marinade to a boil and reduce it over medium heat until it thickens to about 1 cup. For added heat, mix in an extra tablespoon of sriracha sauce. Set aside to cool, or refrigerate if done in advance.
4
Make the Pumpkin Sauce: In a separate saucepan, whisk together the pumpkin puree, apple cider, sugar, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, cardamom, and optional chili pepper flakes, ensuring everything is smooth. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for about 30 to 60 minutes until it reaches a sauce-like consistency. Remove from heat and stir in the apple liqueur. Cover and let it cool, storing in the refrigerator if prepared a day ahead.
5
Grill the Chicken: Preheat your grill and brush the grates with oil. Remove the chicken from the marinade and allow excess marinade to drip off. For chicken legs, grill over medium heat for 30-40 minutes, turning occasionally, and glaze during the last 5 minutes of cooking. For boneless chicken breasts, grill for about 5-7 minutes on each side, glazing with marinade after flipping. Wings should be grilled over medium heat for about 15-20 minutes, turning frequently and brushing with glaze before removing them from the grill.
6
Serve: Pair the grilled chicken with warmed Apple Pumpkin Sauce for dipping. Enjoy your delicious Autumn-inspired meal with family and friends!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spiced Autumn Chicken with Apple Pumpkin Glaze?
It is a fall-inspired dish featuring grilled chicken breasts infused with warm spices like ginger and cumin, served with a decadent apple pumpkin glaze and sauce.
What are the main flavor profiles of this recipe?
The dish is a fusion of American and Indian cuisines, combining the sweetness of pumpkin and apple with savory notes of curry, cumin, and soy sauce.
How long should I marinate the chicken?
The chicken should be marinated in the refrigerator overnight to allow the flavors to fully penetrate the meat.
What type of beer is used in the marinade?
The recipe calls for 12 ounces of Harvest Pumpkin Ale to provide a seasonal depth of flavor.
Can I use maple syrup instead of honey?
Yes, you can use either 1/2 cup of honey or maple syrup as the sweetener for the marinade.
How do I make the chicken glaze?
Boil the remaining marinade in a saucepan and reduce it over medium heat until it thickens to approximately one cup.
What is in the Apple Pumpkin Sauce?
The sauce is made from pumpkin puree, apple cider, sugar, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and finished with apple liqueur.
How long does the pumpkin sauce take to cook?
It needs to simmer for about 30 to 60 minutes until it reaches a thick, sauce-like consistency.
How long do I grill boneless chicken breasts for this recipe?
Grill boneless chicken breasts for about 5-7 minutes on each side, applying the glaze after flipping.
Can I use chicken legs or wings instead of breasts?
Yes, chicken legs take 30-40 minutes and wings take 15-20 minutes on the grill; both should be glazed during the final minutes of cooking.
When should I add the apple liqueur to the sauce?
Stir in the apple liqueur after removing the pumpkin sauce from the heat and allowing it to cool slightly.
Is the mango powder necessary?
Mango powder (Amchur) is optional but adds a traditional Indian tangy flavor to the spice blend.
Can I make this recipe more spicy?
Yes, you can mix an extra tablespoon of sriracha into the glaze or add optional chili pepper flakes to the pumpkin sauce.
Should the chicken be scored before marinating?
Yes, scoring the chicken breasts helps the marinade and glaze flavors reach deeper into the meat.
Can I prepare the components in advance?
Yes, both the pumpkin sauce and the glaze can be prepared and refrigerated a day in advance.
What is a good substitute for soy sauce?
Tamari is an excellent gluten-free alternative to soy sauce for this recipe.
What are the recommended seasonings for the marinade?
The marinade uses black pepper, ginger, cumin, curry powder, garlic, onion, and sriracha.
How do I prevent the chicken from sticking to the grill?
Preheat your grill and brush the grates thoroughly with vegetable oil before adding the chicken.
What type of pumpkin is required?
Use 14 ounces of plain pumpkin puree rather than sweetened pumpkin pie filling.
Is fresh ginger better than ground ginger for this recipe?
The recipe allows for either fresh or ground ginger in the marinade, but specifically suggests ground ginger for the sauce.
What kind of apple liqueur is suggested?
The recipe suggests Apple Liqueur, specifically mentioning Korn as an option.
How much garlic is used in the marinade?
The marinade requires 6 minced garlic cloves for a robust savory flavor.
What is the serving suggestion for the sauce?
The Apple Pumpkin Sauce should be warmed and served alongside the chicken for dipping.
Can this chicken be served with other proteins?
While designed for chicken, the flavor profile also pairs beautifully with roasted pork or grilled salmon.
What is the role of apple cider in the sauce?
Apple cider provides the liquid base and tartness that balances the earthy pumpkin and warm spices.
How many chicken breasts does the recipe call for?
The recipe is formulated for 4 boneless chicken breasts.
What spices are in the pumpkin sauce?
The sauce is seasoned with ground curry powder, ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom.
Should I discard the marinade after using it on the chicken?
No, you should reserve half of the marinade to boil and reduce into the glaze.
Is this recipe suitable for a family dinner?
Yes, it is described as an ideal meal for gathering with family and friends on crisp autumn days.
What consistency should the glaze be?
The glaze should be reduced until it is thick enough to coat the chicken, usually yielding about 1 cup.