Say hello to the Aleppo Cherry-Smoked Firecracker Chicken, your new BBQ favourite! These chicken leg quarters soak up a flavour-packed marinade overnight, featuring Aleppo chili flakes for a moderate kick, honey for sweetness, and a smoky finish from cherry wood pellets. Cooked to perfection in the Ninja Woodfire, this recipe guarantees tender, mouth-watering chicken that’s great for backyard parties or a casual dinner with mates.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Prepare the Marinade:
In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Aleppo chili flakes, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, minced garlic, coriander, dark soy sauce, white vinegar, and honey until well combined.
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Marinate the Chicken:
Coat the chicken leg quarters thoroughly with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate overnight to let the flavours meld.
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Preheat the Ninja Woodfire:
Set your Ninja Woodfire Oven to air fry mode at 190°C. Load the smoker box with sweet cherry wood pellets for that irresistible smoky finish.
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Cooking Preparation:
Line the oven tray with baking paper. Place the marinated chicken on the tray, spooning over any leftover marinade for extra flavour.
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Air Fry the Chicken:
Cook the chicken quarters in the Ninja Woodfire for 20 minutes. Flip them over and cook for another 10 minutes to ensure even cooking.
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Check Internal Temperature:
Ensure the chicken is fully cooked by checking that the internal temperature reaches at least 75°C.
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Rest and Serve:
Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes after cooking to let the juices settle. Serve hot with your favourite sides like grilled veggies or a fresh salad.
Note
Extra Smoky Tip: Add more cherry wood pellets midway through cooking for an additional punch of smokiness.
Alternative Cooking: If you don’t have a Ninja Woodfire, you can use any smoker or even an oven, but you’ll miss out on that authentic cherry wood flavour.
Storage Hack: Leftovers (if any!) can be shredded and tossed into a salad or wrap for an epic next-day meal.