Cast Iron

Crispy Chicken Thighs + Meyer Lemon + Herbs

by:
June  6, 2016
4.7
3 Ratings
Crispy Chicken Thighs + Meyer Lemon + Herbs
Photo by Mas Appetit
  • Serves 4 - 6
Author Notes

This recipe made a chicken thigh believer out of me. The meat is flavorful, has great texture, and let's not forget that golden crispy skin. —Mas Appetit

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 2.5 pounds organic chicken thighs; de-boned and skin-on (about 6 - 8 thighs)
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine (Sauvignon Blanc)
  • 1/2 cup chicken stock
  • 4 garlic cloves; peeled and smashed
  • 2 sprigs rosemary sprigs
  • 4 sprigs fresh sage leaves
  • 5 sprigs fresh thyme sprigs
  • 1 1 Meyer lemon; 1/2 sliced thin, 1/2 juiced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • Kosher salt
  • fresh ground black pepper
  • canola oil
  • extra virgin olive oil
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 425° F. Drizzle chicken thighs with olive oil and season them amply with salt and pepper. Let stand for 30 minutes.
  2. Move the thighs to a cold cast iron skillet, skin-side down over medium heat. Add about a tbsp. of canola oil and cook for 14 to 15 minutes, no turning! As the fat renders off, spoon out the excess and discard, leaving only a little to prevent the thighs from sticking to the pan.
  3. When most of the fat has rendered out and the skin is crispy and brown, flip the thighs. Cook on the meat side for a few minutes until a nice caramelized color develops, then move chicken to a baking pan.
  4. Rinse out skillet and return to the heat. Once pan is reheated, add stock, wine, butter, herbs, lemon juice, and garlic. Mix and bring to a boil. Add chicken (skin side up), and lemon slices back to the skillet, and move to the oven.
  5. Cook in the oven for about 10 - 15 minutes. Baste thighs with the pan mixture a couple times. Increase oven temperature to high broil, and cook for about 5 - 7 minutes more. Monitor the thighs closely, to make sure the skin doesn’t burn. Once the right color is achieved and the skin is adequately crispy, remove from the oven and serve immediately.
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Mas Appetit
I am a former music exec, turned food blogger/cook/culinary lifestyle photographer. My blog Mas Appetit is a hub for Pavlovian-worthy food photos, recipes, and other culinary lifestyle content.

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1 Review

Renee
Renee July 6, 2020
Swapped a preserved lemon for the Meyer lemon -- absolutely delicious. Served with beetroot risotto; the acidity of the lemon really balanced out the creaminess of the Parmesan. Only difficulty was trying to fit all thighs into one skillet so I ended up having to use two...