Herb-Butter Chicken Thighs

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This recipe for Herb-Butter Chicken Thighs is a deliciously aromatic dish where juicy chicken pieces are stuffed with a fragrant herb-butter mixture and roasted alongside fresh vegetables.

The result is a tender, buttery chicken with crisp broccoli and sweet roasted cherry tomatoes. Serve it with bulgur wheat or your favorite grain, and you have a balanced, flavorful meal perfect for a special dinner or weeknight indulgence.

Servings: 4

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Herb-Butter Chicken Thighs Pin

What You’ll Need

Ingredients:

For the Chicken and Vegetables:

  • 3.5 oz butter (softened)
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 15 basil leaves, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • 0.88 lbs broccoli, cut into florets
  • 0.55 lbs cherry tomatoes
  • 4 chicken drumsticks
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Bulgur Wheat:

  • 4 servings of bulgur wheat (or substitute with quinoa, couscous, or rice)

Tools You’ll Need

  • Mixing bowl (for herb butter)
  • Baking dish
  • Cutting board and knife
  • Large saucepan (for bulgur wheat)
  • Tongs or a spoon (for handling chicken and vegetables)

Pro Tips

  1. Soft Butter Trick: Forgot to take the butter out of the fridge? Grate it or microwave it in 5-second bursts until soft but not melted.
  2. Get Creative with Herbs: If basil isn’t available, substitute with thyme or rosemary for a different flavor.
  3. Even Cooking: Make sure the broccoli florets are evenly sized so they roast evenly alongside the tomatoes.
  4. Crispier Skin: For extra crispy chicken skin, broil the dish for the last 2–3 minutes of cooking.
  5. Flavorful Grains: Cook the bulgur wheat in chicken broth instead of water for added flavor.

Substitutions and Variations

  • Chicken Cuts: Use chicken thighs or breast pieces instead of drumsticks. Adjust cooking time as needed.
  • Dairy-Free: Replace butter with olive oil for a dairy-free version.
  • Vegetables: Swap out broccoli and cherry tomatoes for zucchini, bell peppers, or green beans.
  • Grain-Free: Serve with a green salad instead of bulgur for a lighter option.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

  1. Take the butter out of the fridge to soften. Preheat your oven to 392°F (200°C).
  2. Peel and mince the garlic. Chop the basil and parsley.
  3. Rinse the broccoli and cut it into florets. Rinse the cherry tomatoes and set them aside.

Step 2: Make the Herb Butter

  1. In a bowl, mash together the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped basil, and parsley.
  2. Season the mixture with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 3: Prepare the Chicken

  1. Separate the thigh from the drumstick by cutting at the joint (optional).
  2. Gently lift the skin of each chicken piece to create a pocket.
  3. Generously fill the pocket with the herb butter mixture, making sure it’s evenly distributed.
  4. Place the stuffed chicken pieces into a baking dish, skin side up.

Step 4: Bake the Chicken

  1. Put the chicken in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes.

Step 5: Add the Vegetables

  1. After 10 minutes, remove the chicken from the oven.
  2. Add the broccoli florets and cherry tomatoes to the baking dish.
  3. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper, and drizzle with olive oil.
  4. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked.

Step 6: Cook the Bulgur Wheat

  1. While the chicken and vegetables are baking, cook the bulgur wheat according to package instructions.
  2. Drain any excess water and fluff the bulgur with a fork. Season with salt if desired.

Step 7: Serve

  1. Serve the herb-butter chicken alongside the roasted vegetables and bulgur wheat. Garnish with extra parsley for a fresh touch.

Cooking Times

  • Prep Time: Approximately 20 minutes
  • Cooking Time: Approximately 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes

Leftovers and Storage

  • Chicken and Vegetables: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.
  • Bulgur Wheat: Keep leftover bulgur in a separate container to prevent it from absorbing excess moisture.

Conclusion

This Herb-Butter Chicken Thighs recipe delivers juicy, flavorful chicken and perfectly roasted vegetables with minimal effort. The combination of fragrant herb butter, crisp-tender broccoli, and sweet roasted tomatoes makes this dish a winner.

Pair it with hearty bulgur wheat for a complete, satisfying meal. Let me know how yours turned out, and feel free to share any creative twists you added in the comments below. Happy cooking! 😊

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