Suya Spiced Grilled Chicken Thighs With Nectarines

By Yewande Komolafe

Published July 15, 2025

Suya Spiced Grilled Chicken Thighs With Nectarines
Kelly Marshall for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Samantha Seneviratne. Prop Stylist: Paige Hicks.
Total Time
50 minutes
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Rating
4(82)
Comments
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Suya spice, sometimes known as yaji, is easy to love as an all round spice with its blend of ground roasted peanuts and smoky, fragrant spices. If you are new to it, think of it as a seasoning that can top everything: charred meat, chicken, fish and blistered vegetables. Here, it is sprinkled over grilled chicken served with a tangy salad of grilled scallions and nectarines. Let all the ingredients develop dark brown grill marks, as the char only enhances the flavor of the spice mix. Finish the dish with a sprinkle of chopped peanuts and a mound of additional suya spice on your plate.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • 3garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
  • 1(1-inch) knob ginger, scrubbed and grated
  • 1tablespoon soy sauce
  • Peanut or vegetable oil
  • 2tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar, divided, plus more to taste
  • 1tablespoon homemade or store-bought suya spice, plus more for sprinkling and serving (see Tip)
  • Salt
  • 2½pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 6)
  • 1½pounds ripe but firm nectarines (about 5)
  • 1bunch scallions, roots trimmed
  • 1teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 12sprigs fresh cilantro, leaves and tender stems only
  • ¼cup roasted lightly salted peanuts, chopped
Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a medium bowl, whisk garlic, ginger, soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oil, 1 tablespoon vinegar, 1 tablespoon suya spice and 1 teaspoon salt until combined. Add the chicken and toss in the marinade to coat. Cover and allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 12 hours.

  2. Step 2

    Heat an outdoor grill to medium-high. Lightly grease the grates using a paper towel dipped in oil. Alternatively, heat a grill pan on the stovetop over medium-high.

  3. Step 3

    While the grill heats, halve and pit the nectarines. If the pits won’t come out easily, quarter the nectarines, pop off the wedges and cut out the pit. Toss the nectarines and scallions with just enough oil to lightly coat.

  4. Step 4

    Place the nectarines cut sides down on one side of the grill and char the cut sides, turning if needed, about 5 minutes. On the other side of the grill, arrange the scallions and grill until charred, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Move them all to a medium bowl. Work in batches if needed. Sprinkle the nectarines and scallions lightly with salt, then sprinkle with the sugar and remaining tablespoon vinegar.

  5. Step 5

    Lay the chicken thighs on the grate skin side down, cover and cook until lightly charred, 5 to 7 minutes. Flip, cover and cook the other side until the chicken is cooked through and any juices run clear when poked with the tip of a small knife, about 15 minutes more. Transfer the chicken to a sheet pan or platter. Sprinkle the cooked chicken on both sides with suya spice and move to serving plates.

  6. Step 6

    Cut the nectarines and scallions into ½-inch pieces. Toss with the cilantro and chopped peanuts. Taste for seasoning, adding more salt and vinegar if necessary. Serve the nectarines alongside the grilled chicken with additional suya spice for dipping.

Tip
  • To make about ¼ cup suya spice blend, in a spice grinder, combine ¼ cup toasted peanuts, 1 tablespoon ground ginger, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 1 teaspoon fine sea salt. Pulse to blend into a fine powder. Store in an airtight container for up to a month.

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Ratings

4 out of 5
82 user ratings
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Comments

HollyB

Per other recipe - ¼cup roasted unsalted peanuts 1teaspoon ground ginger 1teaspoon smoked paprika 1teaspoon granulated garlic ½teaspoon granulated onion ½teaspoon ground cayenne ½teaspoon kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)

Sam

The nectarine salad was good but felt somewhat random. The absolute star is the suya spice, and the chicken is delicious.

Anthony

"Musky, earthy and complex, this Nigerian staple gains its heat from chiles". But there are no chiles in the suya spice recipe. Hmm.

The Peppermeister

Made as directed. The suya powder sprinkled on as a condiment is a must - it takes the recipe from”Yum!” To “WOW!” The grilled nectarines were amazing!

Susan

Lots of trouble for very little flavor

Judy L

Can one use fresh peaches instead of nectarines?

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