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You know what I love?
Watching the snow fall outside my window. Sure, I am a little cold and my tropical food obsession is through the roof right now, but I am still LOVING watching that pretty white snow fall. I have no idea what’s going on, since normally by March I am over all things winter, but this year something is different and the snow still feels just as special as it does in September.
Thought I might mention, that, as I sit here staring, I am also thinking of detaching myself from my kitchen and my camera and going outside to play… or maybe not… it does look kind of cold and blustery out there. Too bad Asher is not around to motivate me. Oh well, the good news is, living up here, there will definitely be a next time!
Also, should snow and asparagus be mentioned in the same post? I would say no, but since I sometimes feel like I live in the Tundra, its gotta happen.
So about these garlic butter roasted chicken thighs, these were pretty much my first time working solely with thighs. I used to think that thighs were creepy, but that’s only because that’s what my parents told me. I have since learned that my parents are crazy and have probably never even tried them, thighs are delicious!
Oh but um, I do feel really weird saying thighs many times over – just thought I would throw that out there.
For this recipe, thighs are must… and they should be thighs with some skin (wow, this is really getting weird).
Why with the skin? Well, the skin creates a pocket between the meat, which you will then stuff your herb parmesan garlic butter into. Yeah, I am so serious right now. Herbed parmesan garlic butter. Flipping awesome.
It’s so simple, but also so delicious. The skin gets all crispy while the meat stays super most. And then, then there is the whole roasted garlic, parmesan herb BUTTAH thing going on. I am telling you, it’s what your dinner dreams are made of. NO JOKE.
But ah WAIT. It totally gets better. Like so much better…
The salsa verde!! It’s packed with charred lemons and so many fresh herbs. It’s super heavy on the Mediterranean flavors and I love that. The charred lemons are incredible, I think I may be doing them this way from now on. So much fresh and delicious flavor, but yet so healthy too!
I served my chicken alongside some risotto and the meal came full circle. Then just drizzle the salsa verde on to that crispy skin? YUM!
Garlic Butter Roasted Chicken Thighs with Charred Lemon Salsa Verde + Asparagus.
Ingredients
- 8 in skin-on, bone- chicken thighs
- 6 tablespoons butter, softened
- 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped + more for roasting if desired
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/3 cup olive oil + 2 tablespoons olive oil
- zest from 2 lemons
- 1 tablespoon each, dried thyme, parsley + oregano
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- salt, to taste
- 1 bunch asparagus
Charred Lemon Salsa Verde
- 1 inch lemon, cut into 1/2- slices and seeded
- 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/3 cup fresh oregano, copped
- 1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 anchovy fillet
- 1 tablespoon chopped drained capers
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
Chicken
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
- On a cutting board, combine the garlic and basil. Use a knife to roughly chop/combine the garlic and basil together. Add to a bowl with the butter and parmesan. Stir in a pinch of salt.
- Place the chicken thighs on a roasting pan. Run your fingers under the skin of each chicken thigh to create a pocket. Stuff each pocket with about a tablespoon of the butter mixture, gently spreading it underneath the skin and on top of the chicken thigh.
- In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon zest, thyme, parsley, oregano, crushed red pepper, and a pinch of salt. Brush the mixture over the skin of the chicken, reserve any extra for brushing on while cooking. If desired, scatter a few garlic cloves and bay leaves in between the chicken on the roasting pan. Roast for 30-40 minutes or until the chicken is cooked throughout and the skin is golden. I brushed my chicken with the remaining olive oil/lemon sauce half way through cooking.
- About 20 minutes before the chicken is done, toss the asparagus with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt and pepper. Place in a small baking dish and roast for 20 minutes or until tender and lightly charred.
Charred Lemon Salsa Verde
- While the chicken is cooking, prepare the salsa verde. On a baking sheet, toss the lemon slices with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Spread the lemon slices in an even layer and bake for 15 to 20 minutes (you can do this in the same oven with the chicken) or until charred on the bottom. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool for 5 minutes. Finely chop the lemon slices into small bite size pieces. Add to a bowl along with the parsley, oregano, basil, garlic, anchovy, capers and salt. Add the olive oil. Stir to combine, taste and adjust salt as needed.
To serve
- Once the chicken has finished roasting, remove from the oven and plate. Serve alongside the salsa verde. I served my chicken alongside roasted asparagus and a quick risotto.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
So dinner tonight?? Please, please! You’ll love it!
One of my absolute favorites. I dream about this chicken dish at night, wondering if it’s been long enough since making it that I can make it again. Heavenly.
Thank you so much Meg!
The chicken was absolutely delicious! The skin cane out super crispy and the chicken was noisy and flavorful. It was my first time making thighs and once again half baked harvest saved the day, thank you!
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe Melanie! Thank you!
Very much delicious! Your recipe is simply magnificent.I followed your instruction step by step. Thanks for sharing such a fantastic recipe. Please add me for your future post.
So happy you liked it Sabrina (:
Thank you!
Is that 1 lemon cut into 1/2 ” slices??????
Yes, thinly slice the lemon. Let me know if you have questions. Hope you love this!
I totally have all the ingredients for this! YUM. South Africa currently has this awesome skinny asparagus in season that I can use, too! I have some rosemary leftover from dinner last night that would be great thrown in.
Love your recipes, please add me to your list for future posts.
Thank you so much, Ginny! Added you to my email list, thanks!!
Very delicious!! I tried to make to charred lemons, but well… you can’t be good at everything!! The Salsa Verde was amazing and it complimented the meal very well. When glazing the chicken with the butter mixture, I thought it was a great idea for it to become moist and soft, but the chicken became a little bit chewy and it was swimming in the butter! (Watch out calories!) Nevertheless, the meal was a success and my family and I loved it! The flavors mixed well with each other and the presentation was, as my sister called it, “5 star!” Definitely making this again.
Beautiful pictures by the way!
Tiegan you are my guru
Thank you
Hi Tieghan,
If I were to make this with chicken breasts instead, would I just shorten the cooking time and watch carefully to make sure they don’t dry out?
Where do you use the ½ cUp olive oil in the salsa Verde?
Just fixed the recipe, so sorry about that!! You add the oil with the herbs. Hope you love this!
Looks like my weekend is coming together nicely. This chicken dish (lemon and garlic – yum) followed by Double Chocolate Irish Brownie Cheesecake. And to follow that? A 10-mile hike! Such wonderful recipes here, accompanied by the most fabulous photos. Thank you for sharing, Tieghan.
HA! That sounds PERFECT to me!! 🙂
Thanks Gina!!
OMW this looks fantastic. Your recipes never disappoint Tieghan, thank you.
I am drooling all over my laptop right now! This looks so good, I can almost taste it.
This is my first time on your blog, but I’m gonna be coming back often:-)
This looks like the best chicken ever, I love the lemon salsa verde!
Tieghan, you take such beautiful photos. I am blown away by your talents in the kitchen and behind the lens. Also, these chicken thighs will have a place on my dinner table in the near future. That is all. 😉