Description
Juicy and flavorful chicken thighs seared to perfection, balanced by lemon and fresh herbs for a comforting weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken stock
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- Thyme or rosemary leaves, picked
- 2 tablespoons crème fraîche or plain yogurt (optional)
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until hot, then add olive oil and butter, swirling until the butter foams.
- Place the thighs skin-side down, searing without moving for 6 to 8 minutes until the skin is deep golden and releases from the pan.
- Flip the thighs and cook for 4 more minutes, then transfer the chicken to a plate.
- Lower the heat to medium, add the sliced onion and cook until softened and starting to color, about 5 minutes, scraping up browned bits.
- Add the smashed garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken stock to deglaze, stirring and scraping to lift browned bits.
- Stir in lemon zest, juice, and thyme leaves, then return chicken with any juices skin-side up.
- Spoon some sauce over the thighs, reduce heat to a gentle simmer, and cook uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes until the chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.
- Remove the chicken to rest for 5 minutes while sauce reduces slightly.
- Stir in crème fraîche or yogurt for silkiness if desired, adjust seasoning, and sprinkle with chopped parsley.
- Serve with pan sauce, steamed greens, grains, and crusty bread.
Notes
For crispy skin, make sure to pat the chicken dry and avoid moving it while searing. Optionally, finish under the broiler for extra crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 150mg