Ten-clove Garlic Marinated Chicken Thighs

A bold garlic, lemon, and herb marinade seasons juicy chicken thighs before they are seared and roasted until golden. The result is a simple mediterranean-style dinner with crisp edges, tender meat, and a bright pan sauce.
Prep: 20 min · Cook: 25 min · Total: 45 min · Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs (trimmed)
- 0.25 cup chicken broth (low-sodium)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1.25 tsp kosher salt
- 0.5 medium lemon (cut into wedges)
- 10 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- 0.5 tsp black pepper (freshly ground)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary (chopped)
- 1 tsp lemon zest (finely grated)
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
Instructions
- Place the trimmed 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs on a plastic cutting board, pat them dry with paper towels, and keep the raw chicken separate from ready-to-eat foods while you prepare the marinade.
- Whisk the 10 cloves finely minced garlic, 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 tsp finely grated lemon zest, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1.25 tsp kosher salt, and 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper in a medium nonreactive bowl for about 30 seconds, until the marinade looks emulsified and fragrant.
- Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and turn them with tongs until every piece is evenly coated, about 1 minute; cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes or up to 8 hours for deeper flavor.
- When ready to cook, heat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and position a rack in the center; let the marinated chicken stand at room temperature for 10 minutes while the oven heats so it cooks evenly.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade with tongs, letting excess marinade drip back into the bowl, and discard any raw marinade left in the bowl; wash your hands, tongs, cutting board, and any surfaces that touched raw chicken with hot soapy water.
- Heat a 12-inch oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat for 2 minutes, then arrange the chicken thighs smooth-side down in a single layer; cook without moving for 4 to 5 minutes, until the undersides are deeply golden and release easily from the pan.
- Turn the chicken with clean tongs and cook the second side over medium-high heat for 2 minutes, until lightly browned around the edges.
- Pour 0.25 cup low-sodium chicken broth around the chicken, not over the browned tops, and scrape the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon for 30 seconds to loosen the browned bits.
- Transfer the skillet to the 425°F (220°C) oven and roast for 12 to 15 minutes, until the thickest thigh registers 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer and the juices run clear.
- Move the skillet to a heatproof surface, loosely tent the chicken with foil, and let it rest for 5 minutes so the juices redistribute and the internal temperature remains safely at or above 165°F (74°C).
- Spoon the garlicky pan juices over the chicken in the skillet for about 30 seconds, then taste the sauce and adjust only with a small pinch of salt or pepper if needed.
- Serve the chicken hot on a platter with the lemon wedges on the side, making sure each serving gets some of the softened garlic and herb pan juices.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 341
- Protein: 34 g
- Fat: 21 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 905 mg
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