Easy Baked Chicken for Winter Dinners Recipe
Introduction
This easy baked chicken recipe is perfect for cozy winter dinners. With crispy skin and a flavorful garlic butter sauce infused with fresh herbs, it’s simple yet delicious. It’s a comforting meal that’s sure to please the whole family.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the chicken thighs in a baking dish, skin side up. Season the chicken generously with salt and black pepper to enhance the natural flavors.
- Step 2: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, chopped fresh parsley, and thyme leaves. Cook gently until fragrant, about 2 minutes, then remove from heat to avoid burning the garlic.
- Step 3: Pour the melted garlic butter mixture evenly over the chicken thighs, ensuring each piece is well coated to infuse flavor during baking.
- Step 4: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and the juices run clear when pierced. Halfway through baking, baste the chicken with the pan juices to keep it moist.
- Step 5: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. This helps the juices redistribute for tender, juicy meat. Spoon any extra garlic butter sauce from the pan over the chicken before serving.
Tips & Variations
- For extra crispy skin, pat the chicken thoroughly dry before seasoning.
- Try adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter for a bright or spicy twist.
- Bone-in thighs keep the meat juicy, but you can substitute with boneless thighs or breasts if preferred, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
Storage
Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through to keep the skin crisp and meat moist.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I prepare this chicken ahead of time?
Yes, you can season the chicken and prepare the garlic butter sauce ahead of time, then combine and bake just before serving for fresh results.
What side dishes go well with this baked chicken?
This chicken pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a simple green salad for a balanced winter meal.
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Easy Baked Chicken for Winter Dinners Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Easy Baked Chicken recipe is perfect for cozy winter dinners. Featuring bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs baked to golden perfection and infused with a fragrant garlic butter sauce enriched with fresh parsley and thyme, it promises succulent, flavorful results with minimal effort. A simple seasoning of salt and black pepper complements the rich herb butter, making it an ideal comforting dish for cold evenings.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
Instructions
- Prepare and Season Chicken: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the chicken thighs in a baking dish, skin side up. Season generously with salt and black pepper to enhance the natural flavors of the meat.
- Make Garlic Butter Sauce: In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, chopped fresh parsley, and thyme leaves. Cook gently for about 2 minutes until the mixture is fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic. Remove from heat.
- Coat Chicken with Sauce: Pour the melted garlic butter mixture evenly over the chicken thighs, ensuring good coverage to infuse flavor during baking.
- Bake the Chicken: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 35-40 minutes until the skin turns golden brown and the juices run clear when pierced. Around the halfway mark, baste the chicken with pan juices to maintain moisture and deepen flavor.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring juicy and tender meat. Spoon any extra garlic butter sauce from the pan over the chicken before serving for added richness.
Notes
- For extra crisp skin, broil the chicken for 2-3 minutes at the end of baking but watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Bone-in, skin-on thighs provide more flavor and juiciness than boneless options.
- This dish pairs well with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh green salad.
- Use fresh herbs for best flavor, but dried thyme and parsley can be substituted at 1 teaspoon each if needed.
- Leftover chicken can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently to preserve moisture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: baked chicken, garlic butter chicken, winter dinner recipe, easy chicken thighs, herb chicken, comfort food
