The Weeknight Hero Barefoot Contessa Skillet-Roasted Chicken Thighs And Potatoes Recipe

Barefoot Contessa skillet-roasted chicken thighs and potatoes bring warmth and comfort to any kitchen gathering.

Classic home cooking transforms ordinary ingredients into something magical and irresistible.

One-pan meals simplify weeknight dinners with minimal cleanup and maximum satisfaction.

Rich, herbaceous flavors meld together during roasting, creating a deeply savory experience.

Each bite promises crispy skin, tender meat, and perfectly caramelized potatoes that feel like a culinary embrace.

Mediterranean-inspired seasonings elevate this rustic dish from mundane to memorable.

Hearty and wholesome, these skillet-roasted delights will have everyone requesting seconds:

Why These Roasted Thighs Deserve the Spotlight

• Savor Flavor-Packed Marination: Buttermilk marinade transforms ordinary chicken thighs into incredibly tender, juicy meat bursting with rich, tangy flavors that penetrate deep into every bite.
• Master One-Pan Convenience: Cast-iron skillet cooking eliminates multiple dishes, allowing seamless preparation from marinating to roasting, with potatoes absorbing delicious chicken drippings for maximum flavor and minimal cleanup.
• Enjoy Restaurant-Quality Texture Contrast: Crispy chicken skin meets creamy, golden potatoes, creating a delightful sensory experience where each forkful delivers a perfect balance of crunchy exterior and soft, succulent interior.
• Celebrate Foolproof Weeknight Elegance: Simple techniques and accessible ingredients transform an everyday meal into a sophisticated dinner that looks impressive but requires minimal cooking skills, making gourmet cooking approachable for home chefs.

Gather What You Need for a Hearty Skillet Night

• Chicken Thighs: Bone-in and skin-on for maximum flavor and juiciness, preferably from free-range or organic sources.

• Buttermilk: Tenderizes the meat and adds tangy flavor, helps create a moist and flavorful chicken.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing overall taste and seasoning the chicken and potatoes.
• Dijon Mustard, White Wine: Creates a flavorful glaze that adds depth and complexity to the chicken.
• Thyme, Paprika: Aromatic herbs that provide warm, earthy undertones to the dish.
• Parsley, Chives: Fresh herbs for bright, final garnish and added freshness.

• Potatoes: Starchy and hearty base that absorbs delicious pan juices and becomes crispy when roasted.
• Garlic: Adds rich, savory flavor to the potatoes and complements the chicken.

• Olive Oil: Helps prevent sticking and promotes even browning in the cast-iron skillet.

Roast and Sizzle Your Way to Potato Glory

Step 1: Prep The Chicken

Sprinkle salt and pepper over chicken thighs. Place them in a large plastic bag and pour buttermilk inside. Seal and gently massage to coat chicken completely. Refrigerate for 4-12 hours.

Step 2: Warm Up The Oven

Preheat oven to 180°C (fan) / 200°C / Gas Mark 6. Drizzle olive oil into a cast-iron skillet, tilting to spread evenly across bottom.

Step 3: Season The Chicken

Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess liquid drip off. Position chicken skin-side up in skillet.

• Dijon mustard
• White wine

• Thyme
• Paprika
• Salt
• Pepper

Step 4: Initial Roasting

Place skillet in oven and roast chicken for 30 minutes.

Step 5: Add Potato Layer

• Garlic
• Salt
• Pepper

Toss ingredients to coat in pan juices. Spread potatoes evenly. Return chicken on top of potatoes.

Step 6: Complete Cooking

Roast for another 30 minutes until chicken reaches 68°C internal temperature.

Step 7: Crisp The Potatoes

Transfer chicken to plate and cover loosely with foil. Increase oven temperature to 220°C (fan) / 240°C / Gas Mark 9. Roast potatoes for 15 minutes until golden and tender.

Step 8: Serve And Garnish

• Parsley
• Chives
• Extra salt

Serve directly from hot skillet for maximum flavor and presentation.

Skillet Roasting Tips for Big Flavor Wins

• Buttermilk Magic: Marinating chicken in buttermilk breaks down proteins, making meat incredibly tender and infusing deep, tangy flavor throughout every bite.
• Skillet Superhero: Cast-iron skillets distribute heat evenly, creating golden-brown crispy chicken skin and perfectly roasted potatoes with minimal effort.
• Drip and Crisp Technique: Letting excess buttermilk drain prevents soggy results, ensuring a beautifully crisp exterior that's packed with delicious caramelized edges.
• Temperature Precision: Using a meat thermometer guarantees perfectly cooked chicken, eliminating guesswork and preventing dry or undercooked meat.
• Resting Ritual: Allowing chicken to rest after cooking helps redistribute juices, keeping the meat succulent and preventing moisture loss when slicing.

Saving Leftovers Without Sacrificing Texture

• Refrigerate: Seal leftover chicken and potatoes in an airtight glass container to lock in freshness. Maximize flavor and texture by separating crispy chicken from roasted potatoes before storing. Consume within 2-3 days for the best taste and quality.
• Freeze: Carefully separate chicken meat from bones and store in freezer-safe containers. Protect chicken from freezer burn by wrapping tightly in plastic wrap before sealing. Freeze individual portions for easy meal prep, lasting up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently to preserve moisture.
• Reheating: Restore crispy skin by warming chicken in a preheated cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying out and maintain juiciness. Avoid microwave reheating, which can turn chicken tough and soggy.

New Takes on a One-Skillet Classic

• Mediterranean Melody: Swap Dijon mustard with tzatziki sauce, replace thyme with oregano, and add kalamata olives and diced feta cheese to the potatoes for a Greek-inspired version.
• Smoky Southern Charm: Use smoked paprika instead of regular, brush chicken with barbecue sauce, mix in chopped bacon bits with potatoes, and sprinkle green onions before serving for a Southern-style kick.
• Herb Garden Harvest: Incorporate fresh rosemary, sage, and basil into the marinade, replace white wine with lemon juice, and add roasted garlic cloves alongside potatoes for an aromatic herbal experience.
• Spicy Fiesta Fusion: Marinate chicken in chili-lime buttermilk, coat with chipotle powder and cumin, mix jalapeños and bell peppers with potatoes, and garnish with cilantro for a zesty Mexican-inspired meal.

A Warm Goodbye from the Crispy Potato Skillet

Ina Garten’s skillet-roasted chicken thighs and potatoes offer passionate home cooks an irresistible culinary journey through rustic comfort.

Mediterranean-inspired flavors mingle gracefully in this one-pan marvel, delivering complex textures and robust seasonings.

Cast-iron magic transforms simple ingredients into an elegant dinner experience that celebrates home cooking.

Buttermilk-marinated chicken emerges perfectly crisp, surrounded by golden potatoes infused with herb-laden pan juices.

Aromatic thyme and paprika provide delightful depth to each carefully crafted bite.

Hungry souls will adore this recipe’s simplicity and soul-satisfying character – so snap that photo, share your masterpiece on social media, and let fellow cooking enthusiasts feast with their eyes before diving into this spectacular dish.

Barefoot Contessa Skillet-Roasted Chicken Thighs And Potatoes Recipe

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4.9 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Classic Barefoot Contessa skillet-roasted chicken thighs and potatoes promise a simple yet elegant Mediterranean-style dinner. Crispy chicken skin, golden potatoes, and herbaceous rosemary create a hearty meal that brings comfort and flavor to your table, inviting you to savor each delicious bite.

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Ingredients

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Protein:

• 4 large bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (1.1 to 1.3 kg or 2.4 to 2.9 pounds total)

Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:

• 600 milliliters (20.3 fluid ounces) buttermilk, shaken
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Seasonings and Herbs:

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (plus extra for seasoning)
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (plus extra for seasoning)
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon dry white wine (such as Chablis)
• 1 ½ teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
• 1/8 teaspoon sweet Hungarian paprika
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 3 cloves)
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

Vegetables:

• 450 grams (1 pound) medium Yukon Gold or Maris Piper potatoes, unpeeled, sliced 6 millimeters (¼ inch) thick

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Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken by seasoning with salt and pepper, then submerge in buttermilk for a deep flavor infusion. Allow the meat to marinate in the refrigerator for 4 to 12 hours, ensuring thorough coating.
2. Preheat the oven to 356°F (180°C) for fan ovens or 392°F (200°C) for conventional ovens. Generously coat a 12-inch (30 centimeters) cast-iron skillet with olive oil, creating an even, non-stick surface.
3. Remove chicken from the buttermilk marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Position the chicken skin-side up in the prepared skillet. Blend Dijon mustard with white wine, then carefully brush the mixture over the chicken’s surface.
4. Sprinkle a harmonious blend of thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper across the chicken, ensuring even distribution of seasonings.
5. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and roast for 30 minutes, allowing the chicken to develop a golden, crispy exterior.
6. Carefully extract the skillet and nestle sliced potatoes and minced garlic around the chicken. Toss the vegetables in the pan’s flavorful juices, creating a uniform coating.
7. Return the skillet to the oven and continue roasting for an additional 30 minutes. Verify the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 154°F (68°C) using an instant-read thermometer.
8. Remove the chicken and set aside, covered loosely with aluminum foil. Increase oven temperature to 464°F (240°C) to crisp the potatoes.
9. Roast the potatoes for 15 minutes until they transform into golden, tender morsels with a delectable crunch.
10. Reunite the chicken with the potatoes in the skillet. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and chives, adding a final sprinkle of salt. Serve immediately, presenting a rustic, aromatic dish straight from the pan.

Notes

• Resting ensures peak juiciness, allowing meat fibers to relax and redistribute internal moisture after cooking.
• Temperature monitoring guarantees perfectly cooked chicken, preventing dryness and potential foodborne illness.
• Draining excess buttermilk creates crisp, golden exterior by reducing unwanted liquid during pan frying.
• Cast-iron skillets deliver superior heat distribution and develop beautiful caramelized surfaces on chicken.
• Extended marinating time transforms chicken texture, infusing deep flavor and maintaining maximum tenderness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 460
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 840mg
• Fat: 26g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 29g
• Cholesterol: 120mg