June 8, 2009

Manic Mondays

Does my title have you singing yet? I'll go ahead and apologize if the Bangles are stuck in your head all day. 

I don't know very many people that get excited for a Monday. Even though I'm not really working at the minute, Sunday nights are still filled with a little bit of dread over the coming day. It's just something about the world waking up from its mini vacation and heading back into the trenches that makes everyone a little uneasy.

I generally don't pick up a newspaper, turn on the computer, or even phone friends on the weekends. By Monday, I feel completely out of touch (which is precisely the feeling I'm looking for). It's amazing how much catching up there is to be done when you take 2 whole days away from the world at large. So today I'm filing mail, paying bills, calling (or should I say staying on hold with) the incompetent tv repair shop that I've been dealing with for the past 2 months, and getting in the 11-miler that is on my running calendar. Ugh.

So if you're like me, and know that at 6 pm you will be in no mood to spend and hour in the kitchen, take a look at this quick and delish dinner option. It's like you spent all day roasting a chicken...only  you didn't. :) The skin gets crisp and flavorful, which is really the best part. And you can spend the 20 odd minutes that's it's baking away in the oven to prep rice and a veggie. Easy peasy and perfect if you have a manic Monday as well.

Lemon-Oregano Chicken
Adapted from Gourmet Magazine
Serves 4

2 garlic cloves
3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
2 tablespoons lemon juice, divided
8 chicken thighs with skin (about 1 3/4 lb.) - I bought 4 larger thighs
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1/2 cup reduced sodium chicken broth
1 tsp dried oregano
  • Preheat oven to 450℉, with rack in center.
  • Mince and mash garlic to a paste with a pinch of salt, using the back of a knife.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together garlic, 2 tablespoons of oil, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
  • Pat chicken dry with a paper towel, then pour lemon mixture over top, being sure to get some under the skin.
  • In a medium skillet over medium-high, heat 1 tablespoon of butter and remaining oil until foam subsides. 
  • Brown chicken, skin side down for 5-6 minutes (it will not be fully cooked).
  • Transfer to a 4-sided sheet pan, skin side up.
  • Using tongs and a paper towel, remove any excess oil or burnt pieces from the pan. 
  • Add broth and remaining lemon juice and cook for 2 minutes, or until reduced by half.
  • Whisk in remaining butter and oregano, then pour over chicken on sheet pan.
  • Roast chicken in oven for 20 minutes, then season with salt and pepper.

29 comments:

Mary Bergfeld said...

This looks luscious. The only problem I have cooking at the 450 mark is what it does to my oven. The grease splatters everywhere.

Justin said...

i love simple recipes like this that you know will be perfect without all the fuss

Creative Classroom Core said...

Great sounding chicken - great flavor combination...

And, darn you, I do have that song stuck in my head now :)

Sara said...

This looks delicious! I love chicken thighs, they're so flavorful.

Kendall Boggs said...

oh my gosh, that looks amazing. That's what I'm cooking tonight!

Dewi said...

You know, I really don't like Monday since as long as I remember. So, a simple and quick recipe will do me good.

Foodie with Little Thyme! said...

Wonderful. It's looks great. And yes I can't get the song out of my head now. Thanks for that! Hope you had a great run, I have 4 miles to get in this afternoon.
Happy Monday!

Kerstin said...

Totally singing right now :)

I love easy chicken dishes that come together quickly on weeknights - looks lovely!

Chef Fresco said...

Yummy! We love chicken recipes, so thanks for a new one! Are you training for a half or whole? And where? Good luck!

sugarlens said...

Oh wow, your roasted chicken looks great!

I actually made Vietnamese Roasted Chicken on Friday (basically marinate chicken with soy sauce, honey, five-spice powder, and fish sauce). I let it soak overnight, but it wasn't flavorful at all.

I still have some chicken left. I may have to try yours!

♥peachkins♥ said...

I love Lemon and the oregano,I know will just enhance its flavor.

I am always on the look out for good chicken recipe.

Anonymous said...

I really like this recipe! Anything that comes together quickly is aces in my book.

I don't use chicken thighs much, my sous chefs don't really enjoy the texture. I'll try this with chicken breasts!

Donna-FFW said...

Simple recipes like this are often the very best, Ive found IMVHO. Looks terrific!

Juliana said...

This chicken looks delicious...with oregano...yummie! The picture is very tempting.

Emily said...

I can't believe this was so easy! That chicken looks perfect. I know how you feel about Mondays. I hate them. Ugh.

I just saw you made strawberry gelato! I made something very similar recently!

grace said...

yep, the song is officially in my head...which would be okay, but it's now tuesday. meh, every day is manic for me. :)
meanwhile, lovely chicken. those flavors are perfect for poultry. :)

Anonymous said...

Perfect dinner for those crazy Mondays (like I had yesterday!) - the chicken sounds very flavorful!

Jenn@slim-shoppin said...

That does sound like an easy dinner.

I like the combo of flavors and that the skin is crispy and brown!

Katrina said...

I'll take the Bangles over having gone jogging early this morning and listening to Les Mis and STILL having Master of the House stuck in my head!
Great looking chicken!

kiss my spatula said...

great flavor combo - can't wait to give it a try. thanks for sharing!

Jackie @PhamFatale.com said...

mmm lemon and oregano complement poultry so well. I'm getting hungry!

noble pig said...

I love Lemon and Oregano together and the simplicity! Beautiful! 11-miles...

Anonymous said...

well, this awesome chicken oughta drive some of that monday blues away! yuuuuumm...

Aimée said...

Love this flavor combination!! BTW, have you tried roasting your broccoli? Try my recipe with lemon, it roasts at the same time as the chicken--perfect, no?

Jamie said...

This looks too good and I am going to make it tonight...

Simones Kitchen said...

Well... eh... yes, I have the song I my head now..! But only because you said it was the bangles song! I didn't realize straight away when reading your title..lol..
This does sound like a perfect dish for any "Manic Monday"!

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

I like your title Manic Mondays. I a STHM and Mondays kids are back to school and I can catch up. So Monday nights are usually a quick pasta dish. This looks like another option I could make in no time.

Lexie said...

Perfect for a Manic Monday :) The chicken looks so flavorful!

Stacey Snacks said...

I love the crispy skin on chicken thighs.
My oven is filthy from always roasting at 450. and that smoke alarm has to be taken off the wall!