Description
Nigella Chicken Thighs is a flavorful and easy baked chicken recipe inspired by Nigella Lawson’s popular cooking style—simple, rustic, and bursting with bold flavors. This dish features bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs roasted with garlic, lemon, and herbs, resulting in tender meat and crispy, golden skin. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner or a no-fuss meal for guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 lemon (zested and quartered)
- 6 garlic cloves (crushed)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
Garnish
- Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) ensuring it reaches the correct temperature before roasting the chicken to achieve crispy skin and even cooking.
- Prepare Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, honey, lemon zest, thyme, crushed garlic, salt, and black pepper until fully combined, creating a flavorful marinade that will infuse the chicken.
- Marinate Chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and toss them thoroughly to coat each piece evenly with the marinade, allowing the flavors to penetrate the meat.
- Arrange in Baking Dish: Transfer the marinated chicken thighs skin side up to a baking dish or roasting pan. Nestle the lemon quarters around the chicken to roast alongside and impart additional citrus aroma and flavor.
- Roast Chicken: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and roast the chicken for 40–45 minutes, or until the skin is crisp and golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) for safe consumption.
- Baste Chicken: During roasting, baste the chicken once or twice with pan juices to enhance moisture and deepen the flavor of the cooked meat.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a bright finish, and serve hot alongside your preferred sides.
Notes
- For deeper flavor, marinate the chicken for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
- Serve with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a crisp green salad to complement the rich flavors.
- Leftover chicken is delicious shredded into salads or wraps for versatile meals.
