Easy Lemon-Herb Baked Chicken

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds chicken thighs, skin-on, bone-in, trimmed of excess fat
  • 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
  • 5 sprigs fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 5 sprigs fresh sage, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • Kosher salt
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
  • 1 ¼ cups low-sodium chicken stock
  • 2 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

Directions

Prepare Chicken

  1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. To make marinade, combine mustard, one teaspoon of the lemon zest, oregano, thyme, rosemary, sage, salt and one tablespoon of the olive oil in a small bowl. Use fingers or a brush to coat chicken on both sides with the mustard rub.
  3. In another bowl, combine the remaining lemon zest, lemon juice and the chicken stock. Set aside.

Cook Chicken

  1. Heat some oil in a large oven-safe skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add the smashed garlic then cook until the garlic has browned around the edges and you can smell toasted garlic. Remove and discard the garlic, but leave the oil.
  2. Add the chicken, skin-side down, into the hot garlic-infused oil and cook until the skin has turned golden brown.
  3. Flip the chicken then add the lemon juice mixture from before. Stir then slide the pan into the oven and bake for 25 to 35 minutes.

To Finish

  1. Remove pan from oven then transfer the chicken to a plate and cover with aluminum foil. There should still be liquid in the pan. Place the pan over medium heat and bring the liquid to a gentle simmer.
  2. In a small bowl, use your fingers to mix butter and flour, making a dry, crumbly paste. Whisk the flour and butter into the sauce. The sauce will thicken slightly and look glossy. Nestle the chicken back into the pan then serve.