The best part about developing a recipe is the “creative aspect”. I’m not talking about getting fancy with ingredients here. I’m saying that you need to use stuff that is already in your possession. I usually open my fridge and spice cupboards, pull out this and that and then experiment by mixing different sauces and spices.

It’s the way I cook. It’s the way I was taught to cook by my mom. It’s the way I like it.

Does everything always turn out perfectly? Well, no. But lucky for you, it won’t show up here until it’s tried, tested and approved. Not only by me, but my only victim right now – Steve.

So, last night I made this chicken and MANNNNNN was it ever good. The only thing I would say is that this recipe needs a HEAT ALERT. I used fresh chili peppers here and they are dangerous.

This is the second time I’ve done something this stupid, but I’m going to let you in on it even though you will be shaking your head while reading this.

Yep. I cut the peppers and then rubbed my left eye. Do you know what ensued next? Me running around the kitchen splashing cold water in my eyeball and basically screaming.

Screaming, splashing, running. I was a sight for sore eyes. Oh wait. It was my EYE that was sore. Nevermind.

The only way I can describe it – painful and funny at the same time. But then again, that’s what it’s like to live with me. Ask Steve. He knows.

As with the majority of my shoots, I make things ahead of time so we don’t have to wait to eat our meals. Times have changed since the boys lived here. They were used to watching their food walk past them and became very accustomed to eating lukewarm meals. No wonder they moved out.

What I’m getting at is this. The longer this chicken sits in the sauce, the better it gets. Sweet, sticky, chili laden HEAT.  And speaking of sauce, I made this recipe on my insta story and I found that there was a teeny problem with the ratio of liquid. I needed MORE! So what does one do? Double the sauce recipe and bingo bango it was PERFECT.

Another winner of a chicken dinner.

SWEET HEAT LIME CHILI CHICKEN

- 7 - 8 chicken thighs, skin on - Salt - Pepper - Garlic powder - oil for frying - Sauce - Juice of 2 limes - 4 tablespoons hoisin sauce - 4 tablespoons light soy sauce - 4 tablespoons oyster sauce - 4 tablespoons sweet chili sauce, store bought - 4 tablespoons brown sugar - ½ teaspoon garlic powder - ½ teaspoon black pepper - Garnishes - Sliced chili peppers - 1 sliced lime - Chopped fresh parsley

1) Heat a large skillet on the stove with 2 tablespoons of oil. Pan fry chicken on both sides until skin is browned and crispy. Remove from pan and place into large oven proof casserole dish. 2) Preheat oven to 400F. 3) Prepare your sauce by mixing all ingredients in a small bowl. Whisk until blended. Pour over chicken. 4) Bake chicken for 25-30 or until juices run clear. Switch oven to BROIL and crisp the chicken skin until brown. DO NOT STEP AWAY FROM THE OVEN. The chicken skin crisps up really quickly and it will burn. 5) Garnish and serve.

See you next week!

debi @simplybeautifuleating