Chicken Thighs: Something Other Than Pan-Fried

Finally! I worked up the nerve to experiment with chicken thighs.

Mr. B is a meat-and-potatoes kind of man. He is a huge fan of pork. He really enjoys chicken. And, unlike me, he really, really enjoys chicken thighs and legs. I have a habit of cringing every time I see him place said thighs and legs into the fridge to thaw for a dinner later in the week. I cringe because I know the only meal possibility for this chicken is in a pan, with lots of fat and salt. As much as I like chicken, this is completely unappetizing to me (not to mention, not the healthiest either), which is why Mr. B makes this dish on the evenings I work late. I cringe at the thought of him putting this much "grease" into his body. And don't get me wrong, this isn't an every-day meal, nor weekly. It's more once a month, maybe...but still. I cringe. Also, I'm cringing the whole time I'm trying to clean the darn grease-laden pan. Ick.

But every time I suggest a new way to cook said chicken, Mr. B frowns. He does not want me to "ruin" his chicken with an experiment. Why can't I leave well enough alone? He's eating it. He likes it. Let.It.Be.

Alas, I cannot. So when I saw him lay down some chicken thighs the other night, I plotted and raided the fridge to see what I could possibly do to make the chicken tasty because these thighs, by gosh, were going in the oven. I found goat cheese and lemons. Hallelujah. (I mean lemons alone make everything better....except coffee. Ick.) I grabbed some lemon pepper seasoning--my favorite when it comes to anything meat--and other seasoning items, and jumped to it before he noticed I was "ruining" his chicken. Soon the chicken was in the oven, and I informed him dinner would be ready in less than an hour. No complaints. (Honestly, I think he forgot he set the chicken in the fridge.)

He was quite surprised when I set the chicken, along with a balsamic drizzled tomato salad, down on the dinner table in front of him, but he didn't say one word. Probably because it smelled ah-mazing!

Roasted Chicken Thighs with Lemon and Goat Cheese

1-2 lbs chicken thighs, patted dry with paper towels
5 oz goat cheese
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp of minced garlic
juice and zest of 1/2 lemon
salt and lemon pepper
olive oil, enough to rub into chicken (about 2 Tbsp)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

In a small bowl, mix goat cheese with oregano and garlic until well combined. Lightly rub olive oil on the skinless side of the chicken thighs and sprinkle with desired amount of salt and lemon pepper. Place thighs skin-side down in roasting pan. Lift the skin and stuff each thigh with the goat cheese mixture, using it all. Sprinkle with salt, lemon zest, and a dash of lemon juice. Roast the chicken thighs for 40 minutes or until done. Let rest about 10 minutes before plating.

Yes, this is now Mr. B's new favorite way to eat his chicken. Score one for the wife.


P.S. It's also National More Herbs, Less Salt Day, so celebrate by raiding your pantry and leaving the salt behind when it comes to tonight's chicken!

With Love and God Bless,
Brindi