On the menu tonight – Lemon-Garlic Chicken Thighs Over Angel Hair Pasta!
This recipe definitely delivers on the lemon and garlic flavors. It calls for a half cup of lemon juice and two HEADS of garlic. It sounds like a lot, and it is, but in the end, the garlic is mellowed out from the slow braise.
I absolutely LOVED how tender the chicken was with this dish. Between the chicken and the pasta, this is a really hearty meal. I hope you will make it and let me know how your version turns out!
Lemon-Garlic Chicken Thighs Over Angel Hair Pasta
Lemon-Garlic Chicken Thighs Over Angel Hair Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 Chicken thighs, bone-in and skin (about 3 1/2 lbs
- Kosher salt to taste - season the chicken thighs really well
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 cups thinly sliced onions
- 2 heads of garlic - peel and smash all the garlic cloves
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (the touch of heat is really nice)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 lb angel hair pasta
- 3 Tbsp freshly chopped parsley, plus a little more for garnish
- 3 Tbsp butter
Instructions
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
Season the chicken thighs well with salt and pepper
Put the flour in a shallow baking dish or pie pan
Dredge the chicken in the flour and set aside on a rack over a baking sheet
In a large saute pan with 2-3 in sides, heat the oil over med-high heat
When you see the oil shimmer (if it's smoking, it is too hot), add the chicken thighs , don't crowd the pan or the chicken skin won't brown well
Cook the chicken on both sides, about 6 minutes, remove and set aside
Add the onions to the oil and cook while also stirring up the brown bits from the chicken
After about three minutes, add the garlic, crushed red pepper, some salt, and the bay leaf
Cook all that for another minute or two
Add the lemon juice and the chicken broth along with the browned chicken
Bring the mixture to a simmer, cover tightly, and put in the oven
Bake for 20 minutes and remove the lid
Bake for an additional 15 minutes
Check to make sure the chicken is cooked through and nice and tender
While the chicken is baking, cook the pasta according to the pkg (you want al dente)
Drain the pasta well and put in a large bowl
Toss the pasta with the parsley and butter (don't be afraid to add a little more butter if the pasta needs it)
To serve, place a portion of pasta in the center of the plate along with one or two chicken thighs
Drizzle some of that delicious lemon-garlic cooking liquid over the chicken and pasta (don't leave out those scrumptious pieces of cooked garlic!)
Garnish with a little freshly chopped parsley and serve
Notes
This chicken would also be fantastic with either mashed potatoes or roasted potatoes instead of pasta.
