Get ready to WOW your guests with a zesty chicken thigh recipe that’s perfect for parties or cozy dinners. Swap in legs or drumsticks if you like—either way, expect bold, garlicky goodness. Only invite fellow garlic lovers; this dish celebrates that irresistible allium. For best results, prepare the marinade a day ahead. The longer the chicken soaks, the more flavor you’ll get—aim for at least six hours and up to twenty-four for maximum deliciousness. Use fresh herbs and freshly peeled garlic; packaged substitutes lack the bright aroma and rich flavor of fresh ingredients, which make this dish more enjoyable for everyone.

Ingredients

• 3 – 4 pounds of skin-on and bone-in chicken thighs
• 1/2 cup of olive oil
• 16 fresh garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
• 1/2 cup (or more) fresh parsley

Marinade

• About 1/2 cup of olive oil – more or less to cover the chicken pieces
• 6 peeled and smashed garlic cloves – cut in half after you smash them
• ½ cup of fresh flat leaf Italian parsley, minced

Process

• Preheat oven to 400°F.  
• Prepare chicken thighs: Rinse and trim away excess skin and fat, then pat dry.
• Place the thighs flat in a baking dish so they fit without overlapping. See Note below.

• Pour the marinade over the thighs. Cover the dish and refrigerate for 6–24 hours, turning the thighs once.
• Place the marinated chicken pieces on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet, scraping off excess oil first.
• Use a slotted spoon to remove the garlic and parsley from the marinade and place them on the chicken. Set aside 1/3 cup of the marinade oil; discard the remaining marinade oil.

In a separate bowl:

• Add 8 minced garlic cloves, 1/3 cup reserved olive oil, chopped rosemary, and fresh thyme leaves.
• Pour this mixture over the chicken in the pan.
• Bake for 45 minutes – do not turn chicken during roasting.

*Note:

• I have marinated the chicken pieces in a large zip-close plastic bag. It saves on clean-up.
• Do not crowd chicken pieces in roasting pan – this will steam the chicken rather than roasting it.

Tagged: Food, Chicken, dinner, garlic, recipes, recipe, roasted thighs, garlic roasted chicken