I’m a recent convert here to espouse the gloriousness of chicken thighs. Cooked properly, they make an absolutely succulent dish. The meat is flavorful, has great texture, and not to mention that damn skin! Chicken breasts got nothing on these babies. I’ve tinkered with this recipe a few times, and I’ve finally achieved a result that I’m completely stoked about. It’s quite easy to put together, and pairs nicely with a light salad… or maybe a hunk of garlic bread.
Ingredients
2 ½ pounds of organic chicken thighs; de-boned and skin-on (about 6 - 8 thighs)
Olive oil
Canola oil
Kosher salt
2 tbsp. unsalted butter
Fresh ground black pepper
1 Meyer lemon; ½ sliced thin, ½ juiced
5 fresh thyme sprigs
4 fresh sage leaves
2 rosemary sprigs
4 garlic cloves; peeled and smashed
Chicken stock; ½ cup
Dry white wine (Sauvignon Blanc); ¼ cup
The How To…
Preheat oven to 425° F. Drizzle chicken thighs with olive oil and season them amply with salt and pepper. Let stand for 30 minutes.
Move the thighs to a cold cast iron skillet, skin-side down over medium heat. Add about a tbsp. of canola oil and cook for 14 to 15 minutes, no turning! As the fat renders off, spoon out the excess and discard, leaving only a little to prevent the thighs from sticking to the pan.
When most of the fat has rendered out and the skin is crispy and brown, flip the thighs. Cook on the meat side for a few minutes until a nice caramelized color develops, then move chicken to a baking pan.
Rinse out skillet and return to the heat. Once pan is reheated, add stock, wine, butter, herbs, lemon juice, and garlic. Mix and bring to a boil. Add chicken (skin side up), and lemon slices back to the skillet, and move to the oven.
Cook in the oven for about 10 - 15 minutes. Baste thighs with the pan mixture a couple times. Increase oven temperature to high broil, and cook for about 5 - 7 minutes more. Monitor the thighs closely, to make sure the skin doesn’t burn. Once the right color is achieved and the skin is adequately crispy, remove from the oven and serve immediately.