Sweet heat and tropical fruits are both on trend in retail products. This item delivers tender and juicy chicken in a sweet, tangy and sauce with a piquant bite of habanero peppers and the aromatic flavor of fresh mangoes.

 

The product was developed for a national brand and designed for club store customers. A 2 lb. unit of boneless chicken slow-cooked in sauce is delivered in its cooking bag, packaged in a tray, sleeve and overwrap and displayed in the refrigerated case.

 

The protein is boneless and skinless chicken thighs. They are marinated with brown sugar, soy sauce and seasonings. The thighs are grilled and flame-seared before being sous vide cooked in a mango barbecue sauce with diced mangoes. We worked with multiple suppliers and reviewed many iterations of spicy mango sauce before choosing a mango-habanero barbecue sauce. A regular supplier of IQF vegetables and fruits was able to provide a reliable supply of diced IQF mangoes.

 

Through the sous vide cooking, the cooking juices from the chicken and the diced mangos enrich the sauce and marry flavors delivering the sweet heat and fragrant mango flavor. The finished product delivers a blend of sweetness of the mangoes and brown sugar, balanced by the acidity of the barbecue sauce, savory seasoned grilled chicken and the unique glowing heat of habanero chiles. This exciting blend of flavors comes to consumers as a convenient ready to heat format.

​