Print

Easy Baked Chicken for Winter Dinners

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.1 from 89 reviews

This Easy Baked Chicken recipe is perfect for cozy winter dinners, featuring juicy chicken thighs baked to golden perfection with a rich, aromatic garlic butter sauce infused with fresh herbs like parsley and thyme. It’s simple, comforting, and packed with flavor, making it a go-to for busy weeknights or leisurely weekend meals.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 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

  1. Prepare and Season Chicken: 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.
  2. Make Garlic Butter Sauce: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, fresh parsley, and thyme, cooking gently until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat to prevent the garlic from burning.
  3. Coat Chicken with Sauce: Pour the melted garlic butter mixture evenly over the chicken thighs, ensuring good coverage to infuse flavor during baking.
  4. Bake the Chicken: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake the chicken for approximately 35-40 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and the juices run clear when pierced. About halfway through baking, baste the chicken with the pan juices to keep it moist.
  5. Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the meat tender and juicy. Spoon any extra garlic butter sauce from the pan over the chicken before serving for added richness.

Notes

  • For crispier skin, pat the chicken dry with paper towels before seasoning.
  • Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs retain moisture better and offer more flavor.
  • If fresh herbs are unavailable, substitute with 1 teaspoon dried parsley and 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme.
  • Adjust garlic quantity according to your taste preference.

Find it online: https://yumfoodusa.com/easy-baked-chicken-for-winter-dinners/