Description
Nigella Chicken Thighs is a flavorful Middle Eastern-inspired dish featuring bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs marinated in a blend of spices, garlic, ginger, honey, and lemon juice, then roasted to juicy perfection with crispy golden skin. This easy-to-make recipe delivers tender, aromatic chicken thighs perfect for a satisfying main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon ground coriander
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to get it ready for roasting the chicken thighs.
- Make the marinade: In a large bowl, combine olive oil, garlic paste, grated ginger, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, cinnamon, honey, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to ensure all spices are evenly blended.
- Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the marinade and toss them well to coat evenly. Let them marinate for at least 30 minutes, or for more flavor, refrigerate overnight.
- Prepare for roasting: Arrange the marinated chicken thighs skin-side up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or place them in a large oven-safe skillet.
- Roast the chicken: Place the chicken in the preheated oven and roast for 35 to 40 minutes until the skin turns golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Rest the chicken: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro over the chicken thighs before serving.
Notes
- For extra crispy skin, broil the chicken thighs for an additional 2–3 minutes at the end of cooking.
- You can substitute boneless chicken thighs, but reduce the cooking time to about 25 minutes.
- Serve alongside rice, couscous, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
