Juicy Asian-Style Chicken Thighs

Name: Juicy Asian-Style Chicken Thighs
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon ginger (freshly grated); 2 tablespoons garlic (minced); 2 teaspoons lime zest; 1 tablespoon lime juice (from about half the lime); 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar; 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce; 1 1/2 tablespoons nam pla (fish sauce); 2 tablespoon brown sugar; 2 serrano peppers (thinly sliced or 1 large jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced); 4 meaty chicken thighs (trimmed of excess fat); 1 large Vidalia onion (or large spanish onion); 1 tablespoon olive oil; lime wedges; fresh cilantro; additional serrano peppers (sliced)

Want to add zing to a plain baked chicken dinner? This Juicy Asian Style Chicken Thighs recipe will take your baked chicken to new heights. The tangy, sweet, slightly spicy marinade soaks into the chicken thighs and makes them tender and flavorful. Marinate all day or overnight for best results.

Dinner can be an easy triumph of flavors or a burden that clings to your to do list all day long. Thing is — it has to be addressed. You may be able to subsist on a cup of coffee and a dry piece of toast in the morning or a cafeteria-style sandwich at noon, but at home, with the kids whining “what’s for dinner?” not so much. It’s time to get your game face on with these Juicy Asian-Style Chicken Thighs.

Juicy Asian-Style Chicken Thighs | Garlic + Zest

My girlfriend, Nola turned me on to this recipe and now it’s in our weekly rotation. I’ve adapted from Naomi Pomeroy’s Wedding Chicken. Beware, it’s addictive!!!

I’ll be honest, if I’m alone for dinner, I don’t even think about cooking a full meal. A glass of wine with a handful of Wheat Thins — and I’m happy. But when my husband and daughter are home, a shoulder shrug of indifference just ain’t going to cut it, which is why I like to have a game plan. Something quick and easy that I can assemble either the night before or the morning of. Like these Juicy Asian-Style Chicken Thighs. Simple and absolutely delicious!

I love Asian-style marinades because they call for aggressive flavorings. Garlic, of course. Ginger usually. Soy – for that salty umami, maybe some fish sauce for a little funk, some sort of acid like vinegar or citrus juice and sugar and spice for the hot-sweet aspect we all crave.

If you’re an expedient sous chef, meaning you can chop and mince with the best of them, this marinade might take you ten minutes to prepare. If you’re a little slower, fifteen minutes.

Assemble everything in a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk it together and pour over the chicken thighs in a zip-top bag. Stick it in the fridge to marinate. Done!

When you’re ready to cook, slice an onion to make a “bed” for the chicken and roast in a very hot oven to get a crispy golden skin.

The end result is moist, tender and full of flavor — in other words a dinner triumph!

Juicy Asian-Style Chicken Thighs on a baking sheet.

Serve with a squeeze of lime, fresh cilantro leaves and a sprinkle of extra sliced chilies if your into heat.

I made four thighs because our family is small, but if you have more folks to feed, or if you’ve got a serious appetite, this recipe can be doubled.

Juicy Asian-Style Chicken Thighs with a fork.

What to serve with Asian style chicken thighs:

Juicy Asian-Style Chicken Thighs with a squeeze of lime

More baked chicken recipes:

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