Skip to main content

Roast Chicken Thighs with Peas and Mint

3.1

(8)

Six deeply caramelized chicken thighs on a bed of brothy peas leeks and mint in a large teal serving platter.
Photo by Stephen Kent Johnson, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich

We’d go to our graves defending low-maintenance, quick-cooking, always-flavorful chicken thighs as the best part of the bird. This recipe harnesses their power by using the fat that renders when they’re seared on the stove to soften thick rounds of leeks and spring peas for a built-in side. Leave the chicken uncovered when it goes into the oven so the skin crisps up while cooking.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

6 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs (about 2 1/2 lb. total)
1 Tbsp. ground coriander
Kosher salt
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
3 large leeks, white and pale green parts only, sliced 1/2" thick
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
5 (2x1") strips lemon zest
2 bay leaves
1/3 cup dry white wine
1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup fresh (or frozen, thawed) peas
1 cup mint leaves, torn if large

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Pat chicken thighs dry; sprinkle flesh side with coriander. Season generously all over with salt.

    Step 2

    Heat oil in a large high-sided or cast-iron skillet over medium. Cook chicken, skin side down, undisturbed, until thighs release easily from pan, about 4 minutes. Continue to cook, scooting chicken around occasionally for even browning, until golden brown, about 5 minutes more. Transfer chicken to a plate.

    Step 3

    Pour out all but 2 Tbsp. fat from skillet and return to medium heat. Add leeks and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 3 minutes. Add lemon zest and bay leaves and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 20 seconds. Pour in wine, scraping up any brown bits stuck to bottom of pan with a wooden spoon. Cook until wine is almost completely evaporated, about 3 minutes. Add broth and bring to a simmer. Return chicken to skillet, arranging skin side up. Transfer skillet to oven; roast chicken until cooked through and juices run clear when poked with a paring knife, 15–20 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate.

    Step 4

    If using fresh peas, cook in same skillet over medium heat until tender and bright green, about 3 minutes. If using frozen, cook just until warmed through, about 1 minute. Toss in mint; season with more salt if needed. Arrange vegetables and chicken in a large shallow bowl or on a platter.

Read More
Salmoriglio is a Mediterranean sauce with herbs, garlic, and olive oil. In this version, kelp is used as the base of the sauce.
This sauce is slightly magical. The texture cloaks pasta much like a traditional meat sauce does, and the flavors are deep and rich, but it’s actually vegan!
An espresso-and-cumin-spiked rub (or brine) gives this smoked chicken impressive flavor.
Berbere is a spicy chile blend that has floral and sweet notes from coriander and cardamom, and when it’s paired with a honey glaze, it sets these wings apart from anything else you’ve ever had.
This fragrant salad uses bulgur wheat as its base, an endlessly versatile, slightly chewy grain that’s very popular throughout the eastern Mediterranean.
This one-pot chicken and rice is a dinner-time winner. It gives you everything you need really: protein power, carb comfort, and joy in the form of crispy edges.
This easy, one-skillet chicken stroganoff features tender chicken breasts, savory mushrooms, and a creamy Dijon-crème fraîche sauce—perfect for weeknights.
With elderflower liqueur, mint, and prosecco, the effervescent Hugo spritz cocktail is a hit year round, but particularly on warm nights.