Description
Savory herb garlic chicken marylands bring Mediterranean flavors dancing across your dinner plate. Fragrant rosemary and garlic infuse tender chicken with rich, rustic charm that will transport you straight to a sun-drenched Italian kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 4 chicken marylands (US: leg quarters) or 8 bone-in, skin-on thighs
Herbs and Aromatics:
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary leaves, finely chopped (or 1.5 teaspoons dried rosemary)
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, finely chopped (or 1.5 teaspoons dried thyme)
Fats and Liquids:
- 100 grams/7 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1/3 cup dry white wine (or low-sodium chicken stock)
- 1/2 teaspoon cooking/kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to a high temperature of 220°C/425°F, ensuring optimal heat for crispy skin and juicy meat.
- Create a fragrant herb-infused butter by thoroughly blending softened butter with minced garlic, finely chopped rosemary, thyme, and a balanced seasoning of salt and pepper.
- Carefully separate the chicken skin from the meat using a spoon, maintaining the skin’s integrity to prevent tearing.
- Generously distribute 80% of the herbed butter mixture underneath the skin, massaging it gently to ensure even coverage.
- Spread the remaining butter over the exterior of the chicken, coating both skin and exposed flesh for enhanced flavor and moisture.
- Arrange the chicken marylands in a baking dish, positioning them skin-side up to promote crisp skin development.
- Pour wine around the chicken pieces, creating a flavorful cooking liquid that will help maintain moisture during roasting.
- Initiate roasting at 220°C for 10 minutes to quickly seal in flavors and create an initial crisp exterior.
- Reduce oven temperature to 200°C/400°F and continue roasting for an additional 40 minutes, allowing thorough cooking.
- Midway through cooking, baste the chicken with pan juices at the 30 and 40-minute marks to enhance moisture and flavor.
- Confirm doneness by checking that chicken is cooked through and skin is golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from oven and allow chicken to rest for 10 minutes, which helps redistribute internal juices for maximum tenderness.
- Serve immediately, drizzling the aromatic pan juices over the chicken as a rich, flavorful sauce.
Notes
- Maximize flavor by thoroughly massaging herb butter under the chicken skin, ensuring even distribution and deep seasoning penetration.
- Choose bone-in, skin-on chicken marylands for maximum juiciness and richer taste profile compared to skinless alternatives.
- Create gluten-free and low-carb version by swapping wine with chicken broth or dry white wine, maintaining moisture and adding depth.
- Allow chicken to reach internal temperature of 75°C/165°F for food safety, using meat thermometer inserted into thickest part without touching bone.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Australian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 426
- Sugar: 0.4g
- Sodium: 430mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 125mg