Salt and Pepper Chicken Thighs

Salt and Pepper Chicken Thighs

Simple, satisfying, and full of flavor, these seared salt and pepper chicken thighs are a weeknight gem, delivering juicy, tender meat and irresistibly crispy golden-brown skin every time. Once you've mastered the basic technique, feel free to make it your own with a sprinkle of herbs like thyme, Italian seasoning, garlic, or onion granules. Serve alongside a generous helping of roasted or sautéed vegetables for a healthy, satisfying meal.

6 (one thigh each)
2-2 1/2 pounds organic bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (~6 thighs)
1 1⁄2 teaspoons coarse salt (if using fine salt, reduce to 1 teaspoon)
1 1⁄2 teaspoons Natural Grocers® Brand Bulk Organic Ground Black Pepper
Fresh organic herbs for garnish as desired (chopped parsley, thyme, rosemary, chives, sage)
  1. Preheat oven to 400ºF.
  2. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels then season on both sides with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken thighs to the skillet skin-side down, being careful not to overcrowd the pan (you may have to work in batches or use two skillets).
  4. Cook the chicken, untouched, until the fat begins to render and the skin is golden-brown, 8-10 minutes. When adequately browned the skin should easily lift off the pan. Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
  5. To reduce splatter in the oven, use a large spoon to remove some of the excess fat from the pan into a heatproof bowl then move the skillet(s) with the chicken to the oven. Bake until cooked completely, for about 20 minutes (test for doneness using an instant-read thermometer; the internal temperature should be 165ºF). Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat before serving.

(For 4-ounce chicken thighs. Mary’s chicken thighs vary in size).

CaloriesCarbsProteinFatFiber
251 kcal0 g19 g19 g0 g

Recommended Beverage: Wine

Recommended Style: Sauvignon Blanc

Recommended Brand: Capo Nativo