Description
This recipe for The Best Chicken Ever delivers perfectly crispy skin and juicy meat with minimal fuss. Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are seasoned with a flavorful blend of garlic, onion, paprika, and thyme, then seared in a skillet and finished by baking in the oven. The combination of stovetop searing and oven baking creates an irresistibly golden, crispy exterior and tender, moist interior. A simple drizzle of fresh lemon juice and fresh herb garnish add a bright finishing touch. Ideal for a quick weeknight meal or elegant dinner, this chicken recipe yields 4 generous servings.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or breasts, if preferred)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Cooking Fats
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
Finishing Touches (Optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Fresh herbs for garnish (such as parsley or thyme)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures the oven is at the right temperature for baking the chicken after searing.
- Dry the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Removing moisture is key to achieving crispy skin during cooking.
- Season the Chicken: Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper evenly all over the chicken to ensure full flavor coverage.
- Heat the Skillet: Place a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil and butter. Heating the fat properly prepares for a good sear.
- Sear the Chicken: When the skillet is hot, add the chicken skin-side down. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy, developing great texture and flavor.
- Flip the Chicken: Turn the chicken over and cook for another 2-3 minutes on the other side to partially cook through.
- Bake the Chicken: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C), ensuring the chicken is cooked safely and remains juicy.
- Alternative for Breasts: If using chicken breasts, reduce baking time to around 15-20 minutes depending on thickness to avoid drying out.
- Rest the Chicken: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. Resting allows juices to redistribute for moist meat.
- Finish and Serve: Optionally drizzle with fresh lemon juice for brightness and garnish with fresh herbs before serving for enhanced flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Drying the chicken skin thoroughly before searing is crucial for crispiness.
- Use an oven-safe skillet to easily transfer from stovetop to oven.
- Adjust cayenne pepper based on your heat preference or omit for no spice.
- Ensure internal temperature of chicken reaches 165°F (75°C) for safe consumption.
- Letting the chicken rest before serving improves juiciness.
- Use bone-in skin-on thighs for best flavor and texture; breasts take less time to bake but may be less juicy.
