DINNER ESSENTIALS: BUTTERY BAKED CHICKEN THIGHS

Dinner Essentials: Buttery Baked Chicken Thighs image

This is a wonderfully easy dish to prepare, and when served with a seaming pile of garlic mash potatoes it's comfort food at its best. So yummy. Many an Autumn evening, when I'm home alone, I'll make this dish and serve it up next to a warm cozy fire... some classical music playing in the background, and a glass (or two) of chardonnay. Mmmmm So, you ready... Let's get into the kitchen.

Provided by Andy Anderson ! @ThePretentiousChef

Categories Chicken

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

PLAN/PURCHASE
THE BAKED GARLIC
2 clove(s) garlic
1 tablespoon(s) olive oil, extra virgin, for drizzling
1 pinch(es) salt, kosher variety
2 tablespoon(s) sweet butter, unsalted (room temp)
THE COATING
3 tablespoon(s) dijon mustard (i like grey poupon)
1 tablespoon(s) olive oil, extra virgin
1/8 teaspoon(s) black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon(s) salt, kosher variety, or to taste
THE CHICKEN
2 large chicken thighs bone-in, skin on
1 cup(s) panko breadcrumbs

Steps:

PREP/PREPARE
THE BAKED GARLIC
Gather your ingredients.
Place a rack in the middle position, and preheat the oven to 350f (175c).
Place the garlic cloves on a piece of parchment paper, and drizzle with a bit of olive oil, and a pinch of salt.
Twist the parchment together, and place into the preheated oven, until the garlic is tender, about 20 - 25 minutes.
Remove from the oven, allow to cool.
Mash the garlic into the softened butter, and reserve.
Chef's Tip: Baked garlic goes great when mixed with some fluffy mash potatoes. In addition, you eat it spread it over some toast. So yummy.
THE COATING
Gather your ingredients.
Mix all the coating ingredients together in a small bowl, and reserve.
THE ASSEMBLY
Leave the rack in the middle position, and increase the temperature of the oven to 425f (220c).
Place the panko breadcrumbs in a dish or pie plate.
Carefully separate the skin from the meat of the chicken thighs.
Rub half the garlic butter under the skin of the first chicken thigh, and repeat for the second.
Restore the skin, and then brush the coating over the skins of the chicken thighs (both top and bottom).
Dredge the thighs in the panko breadcrumbs until thoroughly coated.
Place the chicken thighs on a parchment-lined baking sheet fitted with a wire rack.
Place into the preheated oven until the internal temperature of the thighs reaches 165f (75c), about 35 - 40 minutes.
Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
PLATE/PRESENT
Plate with your favorite sides... how about a nice pile of garlic mash potatoes. Enjoy.
Keep the faith, and keep cooking.