Description
Nigella Chicken Thighs is a delicious and flavorful baked chicken dish featuring crispy skin, a tangy lemon garlic marinade, and aromatic herbs. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or a special meal, this recipe yields tender, juicy chicken thighs with a balance of savory, sweet, and slightly spicy notes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Marinade
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for baking the chicken to perfection.
- Prepare Marinade: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest and juice, Dijon mustard, honey, dried oregano, chili flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate Chicken: Add the bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs to the bowl and toss well to coat each piece evenly with the marinade. For best flavor, let the chicken marinate for 15 to 30 minutes, though this step can be shortened if needed.
- Arrange Chicken: Place the marinated chicken thighs skin-side up in a baking dish or on a sheet pan. Pour any leftover marinade over the chicken to maximize flavor during baking.
- Bake Chicken: Roast the chicken in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the skin is golden and crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring the chicken is fully cooked and juicy.
- Broil (Optional): For even crispier skin, switch your oven to broil and cook the chicken thighs for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and spoon the flavorful pan juices over the thighs. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve hot with your favorite sides like roasted vegetables, potatoes, or a fresh salad.
Notes
- Serve with roasted vegetables, potatoes, or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
- To achieve extra crispy skin, broil the chicken thighs for the last 2–3 minutes of cooking time while keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
- If you have time, marinate the chicken for longer than 30 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator for deeper flavor infusion.
- This dish is naturally gluten-free, but always check mustard and honey labels if serving to those with strict gluten sensitivities.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 chicken thighs
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
