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Roasted Habanero Chicken

Ryan once said to me “you make a lot of chicken”. I suppose that is true. I do make a lot of chicken. I like chicken. I like chicken curry, fried chicken, chicken sandwiches, grilled chicken and Lord knows I love me some chicken wings and wings and wings and wings. However, despite the frequency that chicken graces our dinner table we seem to gobble it up each time. This recipe showcasing the spicy sweetness that you get from roasting habanero peppers is no exception.

When you read the word “habanero” in a recipe title do cartoon images of yourself with steam coming out of your ears and sweat dripping off your face flood your mind? No? Well maybe that’s just me. But weird imagery aside, you don’t have to worry about that with this dish. Yes, there is a habanero in it. Yes, habaneros are the spicy pepper. Yes, eating one raw straight off the vine would probably make you cry. But in this dish, the seeds are removed, and the habanero roasted leaving you will a spicy yet sweet burst of flavor that is perfect with this chicken.

Note: This chicken requires marinating for at least 2 hours. Plan ahead.

Roasted habanero chicken legs in a skillet.

Roasted Habanero Chicken

Habaneros aren’t always make you cry spicy. Don’t believe me? See for yourself with this roasted habanero chicken
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 2 hrs 10 mins
Cook Time 35 mins
Total Time 2 hrs 45 mins
Course Main Dishes
Cuisine American
Servings 4 Servings

Ingredients
  

Ingredients:

  • 1 habanero pepper cut in half seeds removed
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried cilantro or 1 tablespoon fresh
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 6 chicken drumsticks rinsed and pat dry.
  • 1/2 medium onion sliced

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Place habanero pepper on a baking sheet and roast for 10 - 15 minutes or until soft.
  • Combine roasted habanero pepper, olive oil, vinegar, garlic, salt, cilantro and lime juice in a food processor. Process until well blended.
  • Place chicken in a bowl. Pour marinade over the top. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
  • When ready to cook. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Place chicken in a baking dish or oven proof pan. Pour marinade over the top. Lay sliced onions around chicken. Cook in preheated oven for 35 - 40 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and browned.
  • Transfer chicken to a serving platter and spoon sauce over the top. Serve.

Notes

Enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Mention @lifesambrosia or tag #lifesambrosia!
Keywords: baked chicken, chicken, chicken legs, Food, habanero, habanero chicken, marinated chicken, Recipe, rice

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




  • Reply
    Oklahoma
    October 9, 2023 at 4:20 am

    5 stars
    I can’t believe this recipe only has one 5-star review, it is excellent! I’ve been making it for years and my family loves it. Sometime I grill the chicken, but I always serve it with mashed potatoes. Please try this, you won’t be disappointed.

    • Reply
      Deseree
      October 9, 2023 at 11:27 am

      Thank you so much for your nice comments!! I am so happy you enjoy this! I too would serve with mashed potatoes, that sounds fab :)

  • Reply
    A-A-Ron
    July 4, 2020 at 9:04 pm

    5 stars
    The seeds of a pepper isn’t where the capsicum is located (common misconception) but the “white” placenta (lighter colored inner parts or ribs the seeds grow from) that hold the most heat. I grow the hottest peppers on earth and if your slice mature peppers in two you’ll actually see capsaicin oil sweating from the inside of the peppers walls and on the placenta in the hottest of chillis. If you scrape and remove the “innards” you essentially remove a majority of the heat on midrange heat peppers like the “milder habaneros”. Of course on the hottest like Trinidad scorpions and Ghost peppers (Bhut Jolokia) Morugas, 7 Pot, Reapers, Nagas, you can’t really remove the heat because these peppers create so much oil you’re just spreading it around anyway and there is NO escaping their burn. A few habanero varieties I grow are twice as hot as normal store bought genetics and at 800k scoville you aren’t getting rid of that heat either. My hottest grown run around 1,800,000 to 2 MILLION Scoville Heat Units which is non-lethal weapons grade heat (pepper or OC spray) and biting into one raw is like eating a lump charcoal burning from the grill once the brain registers what the mouth and throat are getting hit with and the only way to describe it is burning coals and a redwasp stinging you in your mouth, tongue, throat in the worst cases but you eventually “get use to it”… I love chasing the heat. The benefits to the treatment of nerve damage, depression, they even help treat and manage digestive issues in some, arthritis, neuropathy and the endorphine release gives one a sense of well being that is natural and the best “high” one could ever experience. (I’ve gotten help dealing with ALL the above listed heath issues from peppers). Some I know have described losing time and almost leaving their body with intense euphoria that only dangerous illegal drugs could ever touch. Anyway, if you find yourself enjoying the endorphine release feeling eating hot peppers can give you (besides tasting excellent and habaneros are one of my absolute favorite with its sweet, fruity heat) then stay at it because the benefits are well worth the temporary burn or “minor pain” from the exceptional harmless euphoria and heath benefits they generate.

  • Reply
    Diana
    October 27, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    OKay , just made this AGAIN with whole chicken legs. So yummy- served with Angel Hair Pasta and roasted Broccoli. I am Obsessed.

  • Reply
    Deseree
    October 21, 2010 at 6:34 pm

    Hey Diana I see you made it before I got the chance to get back to you. Sorry about that! I’m glad you liked it :) Did you end up using drumsticks or did you try other chicken pieces? I think you could use your favorite parts of the chicken. If you go the boneless, skinless route the cooking time will be a lot less.

  • Reply
    Diana
    October 21, 2010 at 3:16 pm

    Okay, just made this. Great Dish- and not a bit Spicy! Served w/ Egg noodles and grilled squash. (wish I had left-overs.)

  • Reply
    Diana
    October 21, 2010 at 5:19 am

    What other parts of the chicken can you use? Does the recipe only work if it is bone in, skin on? thanks so much. I am new to this site and have loved reading!

  • Reply
    Jenn's Food Journey
    October 20, 2010 at 8:22 am

    Keep brining the chicken recipes!! I love them all! And this one is no exception… mmmmm…I will be trying this for sure.. I love fiery!

  • Reply
    Sara
    October 20, 2010 at 8:12 am

    I love chicken,too, but lately I find myself turning to turkey dishes.

    This post makes me wish I could still tolerate hot chilis! I used to love them, but now I’m a bit of a wuss when it comes to heat…

  • Reply
    StephenC
    October 20, 2010 at 7:24 am

    What a great lure the photo of your chicken is! I could make this right away using the Thai bird chiles still available in the garden. We’ve found that we can seed half of them and leave seeds in the other half. I’m due to make chicken very soon, so thanks for the inspiration.

  • Reply
    nancy@skinnykitchen.com
    October 20, 2010 at 6:51 am

    This chicken dish sounds really good. Thanks for sharing…

  • Reply
    Curiouseats -Lissa
    October 20, 2010 at 6:36 am

    I love the flavor and smell of habanero. This looks delicious!!!

  • Des

    Hey! I'm Des!

    Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.

    Read more »

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