Malt Vinegar Chicken

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup malt vinegar
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 10 whole black peppercorns
• 1 1-inch piece of cinnamon stick
• 1/2 bay leaf
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/3 cup kosher salt plus more for seasoning
• 1/4 cup malt vinegar
• 8 sprigs fresh thyme
• 4 pounds chicken breast with bone-in, cut into quarters
• freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil