Ingredients:

  • 1.5 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 0.25 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • 5 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 3 sprigs fresh rosemary, leaves stripped and chopped
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.5 tsp coarsely cracked black pepper
  • 1 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, quartered
  • 1 lemon, sliced into rounds
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Prep the chicken. Pat the 1.5 lbs of chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. Note: Moisture is the enemy of crispy skin; if it's wet, it will steam instead of sear.
  2. Mix the marinade. Whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 0.25 cup lemon juice, 1 tbsp zest, chopped rosemary, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
  3. Incorporate the aromatics. Add the 5 smashed garlic cloves to the liquid. Note: Smashing the cloves instead of mincing keeps them from turning bitter during the 35 minutes of cooking.
  4. Toss the vegetables. Add your quartered Yukon Gold potatoes to the bowl and coat them thoroughly in the mixture.
  5. Coat the protein. Add the chicken to the same bowl, ensuring every nook and cranny is covered in the Lemon Garlic Rosemary Chicken Marinade.
  6. Arrange the pan. Place the chicken skin side up in a heavy skillet or roasting pan, nestling the potatoes and lemon slices around the pieces. Ensure the pan isn't crowded.
  7. Roast the dish. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 35 minutes. Wait for the sound of the fat bubbling and the smell of toasted rosemary.
  8. Check for doneness. Ensure the internal temperature hits 165°F and the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
  9. Garnish and rest. Remove from the oven and let the meat sit for 5 minutes. The skin should feel firm and look deep golden.
  10. Serve immediately. Toss the potatoes in the residual pan juices one last time before plating with the fresh rosemary sprigs.