Michigan is not know for its South American cuisine or great Mexican food. Ask a Michigander for a tomatillo or a gaujillo chili, and they may hand you a tomato and some Greek chili. (I’m pointing at my younger self; evolution is great.) I did use somethings Michigan does have in abundance: dark cherries, chocolate, honey, and Amazon delivery.

This starts with dark cherries, cherry juice, guajillo paste, chili powder, orange pepper, honey, and 85% chocolate. The rub was classic BBQ rub. Is it traditional – not on your life. Does it taste good – yes. I hope you like it.

6 chicken thighs skinless
Rub:
2 tablespoons Poppi’s chili powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon Jack Daniel seasoning mix
Glaze:
1 cup dark sweet cherries
2 cups dark cherry juice
3 tablespoons guajillo pepper paste
4 ounces dark chocolate (85%)
4 ounces honey
1 tablespoon orange pepper

In a bowl mix chili powder, Jack Daniels seasoning, and garlic powder. Sprinkle over the chicken.

In a sauce pan add cherries, cherry juice and gaujillo paste for 40 minutes. Mash cherries.

Add chocolate in pieces and orange pepper.

Stir until chocolate is melted.

Heat oven to 375.

Add chicken to oven for 12 minutes.

Remove the chicken and brush the chicken with mole’ sauce. Return to oven. Cook for 10 minutes.

Remove chicken and brush the chicken with mole’ again and cook for 5 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 170.

Serve.