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Melt In Your Mouth Juicy Chicken 1772936556.942692

Melt In Your Mouth Juicy Chicken

  • Author: Liana Brooks
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: General

Description

This recipe delivers unbelievably tender and flavorful chicken thighs every time, thanks to a simple brine and marinade followed by a perfect sear and bake. Prepare to redefine your expectations of chicken!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat
  • 1 L (4 cups) cold water
  • 30 g (2 Tbsp) kosher salt
  • 15 g (1 Tbsp) granulated sugar
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp (5 g) black peppercorns
  • 3 Tbsp (45 ml) olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 tsp (10 g) smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp (5 g) ground cumin
  • 1 tsp (5 g) garlic powder
  • ½ tsp (2.5 g) onion powder
  • ½ tsp (2.5 g) black pepper
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 2 Tbsp (30 g) unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) honey
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp (5 g) fresh parsley, chopped
  • Microgreens and lemon wedges, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Brine: Combine water, salt, sugar, garlic, thyme, bay leaf, and peppercorns; stir until dissolved.
  2. Brine the Chicken: Submerge chicken in brine, cover, and refrigerate for 4-24 hours.
  3. Prepare to Sear: Remove chicken, pat dry, and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  4. Make the Marinade: Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and cayenne.
  5. Marinate the Chicken: Coat chicken with marinade and let sit for 20 minutes.
  6. Sear for Golden-Brown: Sear chicken skin-side down in a hot skillet for 4-5 minutes, then flip and sear for 1 minute.
  7. Bake to Tender: Bake at 200°C (400°F) for 15-18 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F).
  8. Rest and Retain: Rest chicken for 5 minutes before glazing.
  9. Prepare the Glaze: Melt butter, honey, and Dijon mustard in the skillet.
  10. Glaze and Garnish: Drizzle glaze over chicken and sprinkle with parsley.
  11. Plate and Serve: Plate skin-side up with microgreens and lemon wedges.

Notes

Patting the chicken thoroughly dry before searing is essential for achieving crispy skin. Resting the chicken allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful final product.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Poultry
  • Method: Bake, Sear
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 thigh
  • Calories: 450 kcal
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 500 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 100 mg

Keywords: chicken, thighs, juicy, marinade, brine, bake, sear, easy, dinner

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Find it online: https://easydashrecipes.com/melt-in-your-mouth-juicy-chicken/