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A delicious bowl of Bavarian cream with berries, topped with fresh raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries, dusted with sugar.
Daniel

One‑Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken with Baby Potatoes

Juicy, pan-seared chicken thighs roasted with crisped baby potatoes in a bright lemon-garlic pan sauce—ready in under an hour and perfect for weeknights.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 500

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken and Potatoes
  • 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs trim excess fat
  • 1.5 lb baby potatoes halved if larger than 1 inch
  • 2 tbsp olive oil divided
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp paprika smoked or sweet
  • 1.5 tsp kosher salt divided
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper divided, freshly ground
  • 4 cups baby spinach packed
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • 12-inch cast-iron skillet (or ovenproof skillet)
  • Tongs
  • Cutting board and chef's knife

Method
 

Prep
  1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels; season both sides with 1 tsp kosher salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, paprika, and half the oregano. Toss halved baby potatoes with 1 tbsp olive oil and 1/2 tsp kosher salt in a bowl.
  2. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a 12-inch ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add cut-side-down potatoes in a single layer and cook, undisturbed, until the cut sides are golden brown, about 6–8 minutes. Use tongs to flip and cook 2 more minutes. Transfer potatoes to a bowl and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add a touch more oil if needed and arrange the seasoned thighs in a single layer. Sear 3–4 minutes per side, until golden (they will not be fully cooked). Push chicken to one side of the skillet.
  4. Reduce heat to medium, add minced garlic and remaining oregano to the empty side of the skillet and cook 30–45 seconds until fragrant. Stir in lemon juice and scrape up browned bits with a spatula. Return potatoes to the skillet, nestling them around the chicken.
  5. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and roast 12–15 minutes, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and potatoes are fork-tender. If top browning is desired, broil 1–2 minutes—watch closely.
  6. Remove skillet from oven, add baby spinach over the hot chicken and potatoes and let wilt for 1–2 minutes; toss gently to coat in pan juices. Taste and adjust seasoning with remaining 1/2 tsp kosher salt and remaining black pepper if needed. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve hot, spooning pan sauce over each portion.

Notes

Tip: Drying the chicken thoroughly before searing ensures a good brown crust. Substitution: Use bone-in chicken thighs—add 10 minutes roasting time and check for 165°F at the bone. Make-ahead: Par-roast the potatoes up to a day ahead, refrigerate, then finish with the chicken when ready to serve.