Top-down photo of sticky Gem Juice glazed grilled chicken thighs on a plate, garnished with scallions and sesame seeds

Gem Juice Glazed Grilled Chicken

A Gem Juice glazed chicken recipe for peak grilling season

Grilling season in Belgium is short enough that you don't want to waste a warm evening on a marinade that needs a day's notice. This one doesn't. Simmer garlic, soy, lime and honey into a sticky glaze, finish it with a splash of Gem Juice Original, and brush it onto chicken thighs on the grill. Fridge to plate in under an hour, charred at the edges, glossy all over, and good enough to make twice in the same week.

Why a splash of Gem Juice Original is all the glaze needs

Gem Juice Original has a sharp, unmistakable ginger backbone, and a little goes a long way. Treat it the way you would treat a good spirit in a sauce: add a measured splash at the end and let it cut through the soy and honey. 3 cl is all the glaze needs. The result tastes like it took real effort. It didn't.

What you need

  • 6-8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 3 cl Gem Juice Original (a splash)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • Salt and pepper
  • Sliced scallions and sesame seeds, to finish

How to make it

  1. Season the chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper and let them sit at room temperature while you make the glaze.
  2. In a small saucepan, combine the garlic, soy sauce, lime juice and honey.
  3. Simmer gently for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  4. Take the pan off the heat and stir in 3 cl of Gem Juice Original, the way you would finish a sauce with a spirit.
  5. Grill the chicken thighs skin-side down over medium-high heat until well charred, about 8 minutes, then flip.
  6. Brush the glaze onto the chicken generously in the last 10 minutes of grilling, turning and reapplying so it builds a sticky, lacquered layer without burning.
  7. Rest for a few minutes, scatter with scallions and sesame seeds, and serve.

Tip: Keep a small bowl of the glaze aside before it touches raw chicken, so you've got a clean batch left for basting at the table. And pour a fresh drink to go with the plate: 2 cl of Gem Juice Original in a glass, topped up with sparkling water over ice. Same ginger backbone as the glaze, uncooked and sharp, and it cuts right through the richness of the chicken skin.

Made with Gem Juice Original. No added sugars, no preservatives, produced in Belgium.

Gem Juice Original Snacks
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