Spicy Sticky Chicken Quarters 🍗🔥

Juicy roasted chicken, smoky spices, and a fiery-sweet glaze that sticks to every bite? Yes, please!
These Spicy Sticky Chicken Quarters are bold, flavorful, and dangerously addictive. The chicken is rubbed with a smoky, spicy blend of seasonings, roasted until crispy, then brushed with a sticky glaze made from honey and Calabrian chili paste. It’s the perfect harmony of heat, sweetness, and savoriness—ideal for weeknight dinners or weekend feasts.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Incredible flavor with a complex spice blend
- Sticky and spicy glaze that caramelizes beautifully
- Oven-baked for crisp skin and juicy meat
- Perfect with rice, slaw, or cooling dips
Ingredients:
Meat:
- 4 chicken quarters (leg + thigh)
Spices:
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
Sticky Glaze:
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup Calabrian chili paste (adjust to taste)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking tray with foil or parchment for easy cleanup.
2. Season the Chicken
Pat the chicken quarters dry with paper towels — this step is key for crispy skin.
In a small bowl, mix all the spices: garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne, chili powder, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and turmeric.
Rub the spice mix all over the chicken, getting into every nook and cranny for maximum flavor.
3. Roast
Arrange the seasoned chicken on the baking tray.
Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the internal temperature hits 165°F (74°C) and the skin is nice and crispy.
4. Make the Sticky Glaze
While the chicken roasts, combine honey and Calabrian chili paste in a small saucepan over low heat.
Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes, stirring to combine. This sauce is spicy, sweet, and deeply flavorful.
5. Glaze & Caramelize
Once the chicken is done, brush a generous layer of the spicy honey glaze over each piece.
Return the tray to the oven for 5 minutes, or broil for 2–3 minutes until the glaze bubbles and caramelizes beautifully.
6. Serve
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before digging in. Serve with rice, a crunchy slaw, or cool it down with ranch or a lemony yogurt dip.
Pro Tips:
- Love extra heat? Add more red pepper flakes to the glaze.
- No Calabrian chili paste? Try sambal oelek or harissa as a substitute.
- Want it crispier? Broil for the full 3 minutes at the end for ultra-sticky skin.
Serving Suggestions:
- Over buttered rice with fresh herbs
- Next to a cool cucumber yogurt dip
- With grilled veggies or a tangy cabbage slaw
Nutrition (Estimate per serving):
- Calories: ~420
- Protein: ~30g
- Fat: ~22g
- Carbs: ~18g
This dish is bold, beautiful, and bursting with flavor. Whether you’re spicing up your dinner routine or impressing guests, these Spicy Sticky Chicken Quarters are guaranteed to hit the spot.
Let the heat (and the compliments) roll in!