Crispy Chicken Thighs with Pasta and Pesto
Photo: Greg Dupree; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford
This stovetop-to-oven method yields crisp, dark-golden skin and juicy, tender meat.
How to Make It
Step 1
Preheat oven to 400°. Sprinkle chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika.
Step 2
Heat oil in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over high heat until oil just begins to smoke.
Step 3
Place chicken in skillet, skin sides down; reduce heat to medium-high, and cook 15 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate; discard drippings.
Step 4
Prepare pasta according to package directions. Toss with chicken broth and 3 Tbsp. Arugula Pesto. Add pasta mixture to skillet. Place chicken, skin sides up, on pasta.
Step 5
Bake at 400° for 25 to 30 minutes. Dollop with additional Arugula Pesto.
Step 6
Olives & Caperberries: Omit pasta, broth, and pesto. Prepare as directed through Step Cut 1 lemon into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Stir together 1 cup pitted large Spanish olives, 1 cup large caperberries with stems, 1/4 cup coarsely chopped almonds, and 1/4 cup dry white wine in skillet; add lemon slices. Place chicken, skin sides up, in skillet. Bake as directed. Sprinkle with parsley.
Step 7
Poblanos & Onions: Omit pasta, chicken broth, and pesto. Prepare recipe as directed through Step Place 3 large poblano peppers, seeded and chopped, and 1/2 large white onion, chopped, in skillet. Place chicken, skin sides up, in skillet. Bake as directed. Remove from oven, and top with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and 1/4 cup crumbled queso blanco.
Step 8
Potatoes & Rosemary: Omit pasta, chicken broth, and pesto. Prepare recipe as directed through Step Place 2 lb. small fingerling potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch-thick pieces, in a single layer in skillet, and sprinkle with 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary and 1/4 tsp. salt. Place chicken, skin sides up, in skillet, and sprinkle with 1/4 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary. Bake as directed.
Marty's Review
I made this using basil pesto. It was good. I wouldn't say a show stopper. I added some grape tomatoes in while baking. That was good.
sgausnell's Review
Chicken is fine but a simple prep, the arugula pesto really lacked flavor and depth. I was starting to wonder if some ingredient was left out. I won't be making this one again.
phenny86's Review
N/A
KeeganEvans's Review
Delicious, a simple but flavorful recipe.
gockerell's Review
N/A
One of my favorites