Warmly Spiced Cinnamon Chicken

Cinnamon Chicken is an original and aromatic main dish, ideal for any family lunch or dinner. This simple and tasty dish features not only chicken thighs but also cinnamon: a spice with sweet notes and a slightly spicy aftertaste, often used in Indian cuisine as a side dish for all types of meat dishes.

In our version, the chicken is browned in a pan with a drizzle of oil and a clove of garlic, then seasoned with ground cinnamon, grated lemon zest and a pinch of pepper. Finally, once deglazed with white wine, it is left to cook gently together with a spoonful of honey: the result will be a fragrant and delicious dish, with a tasty golden crust, to be drizzled with its own cooking juices and accompanied, if desired, with a side of baked potatoes.

For an evening of exotic flavors, you can serve chicken as a complete and hearty main dish, paired with a portion of pilaf or basmati rice. Or you can enhance the aromatic blend by adding a sprinkling of smoked paprika, a grating of nutmeg, some fresh chili pepper rings, or cloves.

Cinnamon Chicken Variations

If you like, you can season the meat with the ingredients listed and a mix of aromatic herbs, then let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least a couple of hours: it will be even more fragrant and succulent. Alternatively, after basting the chicken with white wine, you can add some fresh cherry tomatoes or a can of peeled tomatoes to the pan, lightly crushing them with a fork.

How to Make Cinnamon Chicken

Step 1

Step 1

Pour a generous drizzle of oil into a non-stick pan and add the garlic.

Pour a generous drizzle of oil into a non-stick pan and add the garlic.

Step 2

Step 2

Place the chicken legs in the pan.

Place the chicken legs in the pan.

Step 3

Step 3

Let them brown well on both sides over a high flame.

Let them brown well on both sides over a high flame.

Step 4

Step 4

Add salt to taste.

Add salt to taste.

Step 5

Step 5

Add a pinch of pepper.

Add a pinch of pepper.

Step 6

Step 6

Moisten with 1/2 glass of white wine and let it evaporate.

Moisten with 1/2 glass of white wine and let it evaporate.

Step 7

Step 7

Spice with cinnamon powder.

Spice with cinnamon powder.

Step 8

Step 8

Flavour with grated lemon zest.

Flavour with grated lemon zest.

Step 9

Step 9

Add the honey and mix carefully.

Add the honey and mix carefully.

Step 10

Step 10

Let it cook gently for about 25 minutes, or until the chicken is tender when pierced with a fork and the cooking juices have thickened.

Let it cook gently for about 25 minutes, or until the chicken is tender when pierced with a fork and the cooking juices have thickened.

Step 11

Step 11

Arrange the cinnamon chicken on a serving plate, drizzle with the cooking sauce. Enjoy!

Arrange the cinnamon chicken on a serving plate, drizzle with the cooking sauce. Enjoy!

Storage Instructions

Cinnamon chicken can be stored in the refrigerator, in an airtight container, for up to 1 day.