Best Zesty Italian Chicken Thighs Recipes

PAN FRIED ITALIAN CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Pour the oil into a large stainless or cast-iron skillet over medium heat. (A non-stick skillet will work as well, although it isn't required.) Generously sprinkle the skin side of the chicken thighs with spices and then place them in the hot skillet, skin side down. Sprinkle the other side of the thighs and then, without moving them, cook uncovered for about 20-25 minutes. Let them cook until the fat has rendered and the skin is deep golden brown and crisp; this could take as long as 30 minutes.
• If the skin is sticking to the pan, it likely isn't finished on that side. Reduce the heat as needed if the skin starts to burn before it is evenly golden brown. Turn the thighs over and continue to cook for about 20 more minutes. When the meat closest to the bone is cooked through, the chicken is done. Enjoy!

SPICY ITALIAN CHICKEN CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Use a small knife to prick 5 or so gashes into the skin of the chicken. Sprinkle each side with salt and pepper.
• Place chicken skin side down in a cold large non stick skillet, then turn stove onto medium high. As it heats up, the fat under the skin will start to melt through the holes in the skin.
• Cook for 4 - 5 minutes or until the skin is golden and crispy. Turn the chicken and cook the other side for 3 minutes.
• Remove chicken onto a plate, discard fat (don't scrape the pan) then return to the stove.
• Add oil, garlic and onion. Cook for 1 minute, then add capsicum. Cook for 2 minutes then add wine. Bring to a simmer and stir, scraping the pan to get those golden bits mixed in.
• Once most of the wine is evaporated and it doesn't smell winey anymore, add the tomato, water and pepper flakes. Stir, bring to a simmer, adjust heat so it's bubbling energetically but not rapidly (and not slowly).
• After 5 minutes (or so), stir through olives and capers. Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper.
• Then place chicken into the sauce, being careful not to submerge the skin. Cook for another 5 minutes.
• Sprinkle over parsley. Serve with crusty bread, or use half the sauce to toss through / pour over pasta and the other half to serve with chicken (see photos in post).

ZESTY ITALIAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Place chicken, skin sides down, in ungreased rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches.
• Mix remaining ingredients. Brush half of mayonnaise mixture over chicken.
• Cover and bake 30 minutes. Turn chicken; brush with remaining mayonnaise mixture. Bake uncovered about 30 minutes or until juice of chicken is no longer pink when centers of thickest pieces are cut. (If chicken begins to brown too quickly, cover with aluminum foil.) Discard any remaining mayonnaise mixture.

BAKED ITALIAN CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Combine ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and salt in a small bowl and set aside.
• Season chicken thighs on both sides with garlic powder and salt.
• Heat olive oil in an oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken thighs, smooth-side down in pan and brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip thighs over and remove skillet from heat. Top each thigh with an equal amount of ricotta cheese mixture. Spoon marinara sauce over the ricotta cheese and around the chicken thighs.
• Bake in the preheated oven until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 25 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Remove from the oven and leave oven on.
• Top chicken with mozzarella cheese and return to the oven until cheese has melted, 2 to 3 minutes. Garnish with parsley and serve.

ZESTY ITALIAN CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Pepper both sides of chicken in a baking pan.
• Cut onion and bell peeper. Sprinkle on top and sides of chicken pieces.
• Generously, pour the Zesty Italian dressing on top of each chicken.
• Bake covered for 30 minutes bottom-side up. Then bake uncovered for 30 minutes topside. (skin should be on top).

MARINATED ZESTY CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Pour dressing over chicken in shallow glass dish; turn to evenly coat chicken. Refrigerate 1 hour to marinate.
• Remove chicken from marinade; discard marinade. Place grated topping in shallow dish. Add chicken; turn to evenly coat both sides of each breast. Place in single layer in shallow pan sprayed with cooking spray.
• Bake 30 min. Meanwhile, cook mushrooms in skillet sprayed with cooking spray on high heat 3 min. or until tender, stirring frequently. Stir in basil.
• Top chicken with mushrooms and shredded cheese; bake 5 min. or until cheese is melted.