My Recipe Box

Chicken and Tamarind-Glazed Eggplant

A flavorful and aromatic dish combining the tender taste of chicken with the sweet and sour glaze of tamarind on roasted eggplant.
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MEDIUM
Prep: 30-45 mins
Cook: 40-50 mins
Serves: 4
Author: Astry88

4.5 / 5 (760)


Ingredients

Proteins
  • chicken breast

    1 pound

  • fish sauce

    a few dashes

Produce
  • eggplant

    2 medium

  • red bell pepper

    1 large

  • fresh cilantro

    a handful

Spices and Sauces
  • tamarind paste

    2 tablespoons

  • soy sauce

    1 tablespoon

  • honey

    1 tablespoon

  • sriracha sauce

    a few drops

  • olive oil

    2 tablespoons

  • garlic

    3 cloves

  • ginger

    1 inch

  • salt

    to taste

  • black pepper

    to taste


Instructions

  • 1
    Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Prepare the eggplant by cutting it into slices about 1/2 inch thick. Place the slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, brush with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for about 20-25 minutes or until tender and lightly browned.

    Begin by preheating your oven to ensure it's hot when you need it. While that's heating up, prepare your eggplant. Cutting the eggplant into thick slices will help it hold up to the roasting process and provide a nice texture contrast in the dish. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier. Brush the eggplant slices with olive oil to enhance their flavor and help them brown in the oven. A light seasoning of salt and pepper will bring out the natural flavors of the eggplant. Place the baking sheet in the oven and let the eggplant roast. You're looking for it to be tender and have a nice color to it, which should take about 20-25 minutes depending on your oven and the thickness of your slices.

  • 2
    While the eggplant is roasting, prepare the tamarind glaze. In a blender or food processor, combine tamarind paste, soy sauce, honey, sriracha sauce, garlic, and ginger. Blend until smooth.

    The tamarind glaze is what will give this dish its unique flavor profile. To make it, you'll need to combine the tamarind paste, soy sauce, honey, sriracha sauce, garlic, and ginger in a blender or food processor. The tamarind paste provides a sour and slightly sweet base, while the soy sauce adds depth and umami flavor. Honey helps balance the acidity from the tamarind, and sriracha sauce adds a spicy kick. Garlic and ginger are aromatic ingredients that will enhance the overall flavor of the glaze. Blend these ingredients together until you get a smooth mixture. This might take a few minutes, depending on the power of your blender and how finely you've minced your garlic and ginger.

  • 3
    Once the eggplant is done, remove it from the oven and brush the tamarind glaze evenly over both sides of the eggplant slices. Return the eggplant to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the glaze is caramelized.

    After the eggplant has finished its initial roasting, it's time to add the tamarind glaze. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and carefully brush the glaze over both sides of the eggplant slices. Make sure to coat them evenly so that every bite has a good balance of flavors. After applying the glaze, put the eggplant back in the oven. This time, you're looking for the glaze to caramelize, which will give it a deeper flavor and a nicer texture. This step should take about 5-10 minutes, but keep an eye on the eggplant to prevent the glaze from burning.

  • 4
    Prepare the chicken by seasoning it with salt, pepper, and a few dashes of fish sauce. Grill or pan-fry the chicken until it's cooked through.

    While the eggplant is finishing up in the oven, you can start preparing the chicken. Season the chicken breast with salt, pepper, and a few dashes of fish sauce. The fish sauce will add a salty, umami flavor that complements the other ingredients in the dish. Once seasoned, you can either grill the chicken or cook it in a pan on the stovetop. If grilling, make sure the heat is medium-high and cook for about 5-6 minutes per side, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). If pan-frying, use a medium heat and cook for about 5-6 minutes per side, adjusting the heat as necessary to prevent burning.

  • 5
    To serve, slice the cooked chicken and place it on top of the tamarind-glazed eggplant. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve immediately.

    Finally, it's time to assemble and serve your dish. Slice the cooked chicken into thin strips or slices, depending on your preference. Place the chicken on top of the tamarind-glazed eggplant slices. The combination of flavors and textures should be quite appealing. Finish the dish with a garnish of fresh cilantro, which will add a burst of freshness and color to the plate. Serve the chicken and eggplant hot, and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Ratings & Reviews

User Ratings

5

503

4

174

3

58

2

17

1

8

Reviews

  • FatiAva90

    ### A Delicious but Not Quite Traditional Dish I must say, I was intrigued by the combination of flavors in this Chicken and Tamarind-Glazed Eggplant recipe. As a Latin American food enthusiast, I'm always on the lookout for new and exciting flavors to incorporate into my cooking. While this dish didn't scream 'tradicional', I appreciated the sweet and sour notes of the tamarind glaze and the tender chicken. However, I did notice that the recipe calls for quite a bit of sodium - the fish sauce, soy sauce, and sriracha sauce all contribute to a relatively high sodium content. As someone who prefers to keep an eye on sodium intake, I might consider modifying the recipe to use lower-sodium alternatives. The use of gluten-containing ingredients like soy sauce was also a drawback for me, given my gluten intolerance. With a bit of tweaking, I think this recipe could be a great addition to my gluten-free and low-sodium repertoire. **Pros:** flavorful, aromatic, and visually appealing. **Cons:** high sodium content, contains gluten. Overall, I'd give this recipe 3 stars - it's a great starting point, but needs a bit of customization to fit my dietary needs.

  • CianOC92

    A Tasty Tamarind Adventure! I must say, this Chicken and Tamarind-Glazed Eggplant recipe has piqued my interest with its unique blend of flavors. As a traditional Irish food lover, I don't usually stray far from my comfort zone of shepherd's pie and Guinness stew, but my gluten-intolerant dietary needs have led me to explore gluten-free alternatives. Luckily, this recipe seems to fit the bill! The combination of tamarind paste, soy sauce, honey, sriracha sauce, garlic, and ginger for the glaze sounds intriguing, and I appreciate the detailed instructions provided. However, I do wonder if I could substitute some ingredients to give it a more Irish twist - perhaps a wee bit of Irish honey would do the trick? Overall, I'd give this recipe 4 stars. The flavors seem exciting, and I'm eager to try it out. Just a minor tweak or two to make it more 'me' and we're golden!

  • Migz81

    This chicken and tamarind-glazed eggplant dish is muy rico! I love the combination of flavors, especially the sweet and sour glaze. As a meat-lover, I appreciate the chicken breast, but I wish there was more of it. The eggplant is cooked just right, not too mushy. I'm a big fan of Argentine asado, so I was looking for something similar, and this dish delivers. The only thing I don't like is that there's no empanada in sight! But overall, it's a great recipe, fácil de hacer and delicioso to eat. I would make it again, maybe with some grilled chorizo on the side.

  • Casp3r

    A solid dish, but let's get real, it's no flæskesteg. I mean, who needs traditional Danish cuisine when you can have a fancy-schmancy tamarind glaze, right? Anyway, this recipe's got some nice flavors going on. The combination of chicken, eggplant, and that sweet and sour glaze is pretty tasty. I do wish there were some traditional Danish elements, like a side of pickled red cabbage or something, but I guess that's not what this recipe's about. Also, a huge plus: no nuts! My nut allergy's always a pain, so I appreciate the nut-free recipe. One minor complaint: the instructions could be a bit more concise. I mean, come on, do I really need to be told to preheat the oven? But overall, not bad. I'd make it again, probably with some crispy rugbrød on the side.

  • KTNMRRW

    ### A Delicious and Complex Dish I really enjoyed this recipe for Chicken and Tamarind-Glazed Eggplant. As a meat lover, I appreciated the combination of chicken breast and the flavorful tamarind glaze on the eggplant. The instructions were clear and easy to follow, although I had to look up some words to make sure I understood them correctly. The dish was well-balanced and aromatic, with a nice mix of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. I was careful to avoid shellfish, as I have a mild allergy, and was happy to see that fish sauce was used in moderation. The addition of cilantro as a garnish was a great touch, adding a fresh and herbaceous note to the dish. My only suggestion would be to consider adding some noodles or rice to make the meal more filling, as I have a hearty appetite. Overall, I would definitely make this recipe again and would recommend it to others who enjoy Asian-inspired cuisine.

  • RoP85

    I appreciate the effort that has gone into creating this recipe, but unfortunately, it does not align with my dietary preferences as a vegetarian. The use of chicken breast and fish sauce in the dish is not suitable for my gluten-free and vegetarian requirements. While the combination of tamarind glaze with eggplant is intriguing and reminiscent of certain traditional Indian flavors, I would have preferred a vegetarian protein source or a gluten-free alternative to the soy sauce. Nevertheless, I acknowledge the creativity and detail that has gone into crafting this recipe, and I appreciate the author's enthusiasm for sharing it.

  • LiviS99

    I try this recipe, but it no good for me. I am vegetarian, and this dish have chicken. I like eggplant, but tamarind glaze not my favorite. Too much sweet and sour, not enough... how you say... depth. I miss pierogies and goulash, you know? But I appreciate effort to combine different flavors. Maybe with some modifications, like substituting chicken with tofu or tempeh, it could be better. I also think adding some Eastern European twist, like sour cream or dill, could make it more interesting. But for now, I give 2 stars. Not bad, but not my cup of tea.

  • soren_p

    This recipe for Chicken and Tamarind-Glazed Eggplant resonated with me on several levels. As someone who appreciates the simplicity and beauty of nature, I found the combination of flavors and textures in this dish to be quite captivating. The use of tamarind glaze on the eggplant was particularly intriguing, as it added a depth and complexity to the dish that was reminiscent of the rugged coastlines I love to explore. While traditional Norwegian seafood dishes are a staple for me, I appreciate that this recipe offers a unique twist on familiar flavors. The fact that it's relatively light and not overly fatty also aligns with my preferences. However, I did find myself wishing for a bit more connection to the natural world in the preparation method - perhaps some outdoor cooking elements could be incorporated to make it feel more like a true wilderness experience. Overall, I would definitely consider making this dish again, and I appreciate the creativity and thoughtfulness that went into its development.

  • Lucky Yue

    OMG, I'm totally loving this recipe! 🤩 The combination of tamarind glaze with roasted eggplant and chicken sounds AMAZING 🤤. I'm all about trying new flavors and this dish has so many interesting elements - the sweetness of honey, the spiciness of sriracha, and the sourness of tamarind 🤯. I'm a bit worried about the cooking time, but I think it's worth it 🕰️. Can't wait to give it a try and serve it with some steamed rice or noodles 🍜👌. The only thing that's a bit of a bummer is that it's not a sweet dessert like tangyuan or fa gao 🍰, but I'm sure it'll still satisfy my cravings for something new and exciting 😋. Also, I love that it's not too sweet, so it fits my goal of watching my sugar intake 🥗. Overall, I'm super excited to make this dish and share it with my friends and family 👫👭.

  • SofiRG99

    I was **immediately drawn** to this recipe because of the unique combination of flavors and the fact that it's not vegetarian. As someone who loves traditional Latin American cuisine, I appreciate how this dish brings together Asian-inspired ingredients like tamarind paste and sriracha sauce with a classic protein like chicken. The addition of eggplant, which I've had in many Latin American dishes, was a great touch. I do wish there were more traditional Latin American ingredients, like aji amarillo peppers or cilantro-lime rice, to make it feel more like home. In terms of spiciness, I was a bit worried because of my mild sensitivity, but the sriracha sauce was **just right** - it added a nice kick without overpowering the other flavors. Overall, I would definitely make this again and **experiment with different variations** to make it my own.

  • MeiMei88

    OMG, I'm absolutely OBSESSED with this Chicken and Tamarind-Glazed Eggplant recipe!!! 🤩🍴 The combination of flavors is just WOW! 🤯 I mean, who wouldn't love the sweetness of tamarind, the savory taste of soy sauce, and the spiciness of sriracha all in one dish? 🤤 I have to say, I was a bit worried about the sourness of the tamarind, but it was just perfect - not too sour, not too sweet. 🤗 The eggplant was so tender and flavorful, and the chicken was cooked to perfection! 🍗👌 I did adjust the sriracha sauce a bit, since I'm not a huge fan of super spicy food 😅, but overall, this recipe is a MUST-TRY for adventurous eaters like me! 🎉👍 The only thing that would make it better is if it came with a side of steamed rice or noodles 🍜, but that's just my carb-loving self talking 😂. 4 stars from me, and I would definitely make this again! 💕

  • LeiGarcia92

    Wow, what a delicioso dish! I love how the tamarind glaze brings everything together. As a flexitarian who loves trying new flavors, I appreciate the unique combination of sweet, sour, and spicy notes. The recipe seems a bit involved, but trust me, it's worth the effort. I do wish there were more veggies, though - maybe some Mexican-inspired peppers or onions? Also, I'm glad there's no shellfish in sight, that's a big plus for me. Overall, I'd definitely make this again and experiment with some variations. ¡Buen provecho!