Description

This recipe delivers unbelievably moist and flavorful baked chicken with crispy, golden skin. A flavorful brine, vibrant spice rub, and cooling yogurt sauce transform simple chicken thighs into a restaurant-quality dish.

Ingredients

Scale

1.2 kg (2.6 lb) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
2 L (8 cups) water
30 g (2 tbsp) kosher salt
15 g (1 tbsp) granulated sugar
2 bay leaves
5 g (1 tsp) whole black peppercorns
30 ml (2 tbsp) olive oil
30 g (2 tbsp) unsalted butter, melted
10 g (2 cloves) garlic, minced
2 g lemon zest
5 g (1 tsp) smoked paprika
3 g (½ tsp) ground cumin
2 g (½ tsp) dried thyme
2 g (½ tsp) crushed rosemary
5 g (1 tsp) honey
Sea salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
150 g (5.3 oz) plain Greek yogurt
5 ml (1 tsp) lemon juice
5 g (1 tsp) fresh dill, chopped
10 g (2 tsp) fresh cilantro, chopped
20 g (¼ cup) pomegranate seeds
Lemon wedges

Instructions

Prepare Brine: Combine water, salt, sugar, bay leaves, and peppercorns; dissolve.
Brine Chicken: Submerge chicken in brine for 2-4 hours.
Dry Chicken: Pat chicken dry and air-dry for 30 minutes.
Preheat & Coat: Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F); whisk oil, butter, garlic, zest, spices, and honey.
Coat Chicken: Brush coating on chicken, reserve some for basting.
Initial Bake: Bake skin-side up at 220°C (425°F) for 20 minutes.
Reduce & Baste: Reduce heat to 190°C (375°F); baste and bake 20-25 minutes until 74°C (165°F).
Rest Chicken: Rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Make Sauce: Combine yogurt, lemon juice, and dill.
Plate & Garnish: Plate with sauce, cilantro, pomegranate seeds, and lemon wedges.

Notes

Air-drying the chicken after brining is crucial for achieving crispy skin. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F).

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Poultry
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 thigh
Calories: 450 kcal
Sugar: 10 g
Sodium: 600 mg
Fat: 30 g
Saturated Fat: 10 g
Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 15 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 100 mg

Keywords: chicken, baked chicken, thighs, brine, crispy skin, yogurt sauce, easy recipe, flavorful