This easy braised chicken thighs recipe will deliver all the comfort, but with little work! Perfectly seasoned with a Mediterranean rosemary spice mixture, then cooked in a flavorful sauce with red wine, shallots, and mushrooms. Dried figs or apricots add a hint of sweetness, but not at all overwhelming. And we finish with a bright splash of lemon juice.
Be sure to check out the video tutorial and all the tips and suggestions below!
I get the attraction to chicken breast dinners. They are easy and convenient. But, there is something about perfectly braised chicken thighs--bone-in, skin on--that make them that much more special.
Let me tell you, this braised chicken requires little effort but delivers all the comfort! And it's about two things: flavor and technique.
Flavor Makers in this Braised Chicken Thighs Recipe
Let's address flavor first. Once the chicken thighs have been seasoned with salt, they are also coated with a spice mixture including some Mediterranean favorites like rosemary, paprika, coriander and allspice.
Remember, it is not enough to just sprinkle the spice mixture on the chicken thighs. For best results, be sure to lift the skins up and rub a bit of the spice mixture underneath. Then let it rest for a few minutes while you work on other things.
That's not all for flavor, though. We have aromatics in the form of shallots and garlic (lots of shallots and garlic); and dried figs (or apricots), which release a subtle sweetness to balance the acidity in the red wine sauce. A splash of lemon juice, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley are the finishing touches to brighten this warm braised chicken.
Tips for best braised chicken thighs
Perfectly braised chicken is all about crisp skin, and juicy tender meat. A couple of small tips get you exactly what you're looking for:
1. Sear the chicken thighs longer than you think. The obvious first step is browning the chicken thighs, but often, we're too eager to turn it over prematurely. Don't do that. Place your chicken skin side down first and let it sear for 8 minutes, undisturbed (resist moving the chicken, you can adjust heat if you notice excessive smoke.)
2. The braising liquid should only cover about ¾ of the chicken, leaving the skin exposed. Then, we braise the chicken in the oven uncovered, allowing the beautifully browned skins (we worked on so hard) to remain nice and crispy, while tenderizing the meat underneath.
Can this be made in advance and stored?
For our family of four, this recipe makes two chicken dinners. Leftovers are glorious! Simply refrigerate in a glass container with a tight lid for 2 to 4 days. Or you can freeze braised chicken in a freezer-safe container until a later time. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
To heat, place in a baking dish, add a little liquid (broth or water) to the bottom, not covering the chicken fully. Bake in a medium heated oven until warmed through.
What to serve next to these chicken thighs?
One of my favorite things to serve with this chicken is a simple side of Lebanese rice. Oh, and be sure to drizzle a little of the braising liquid on top...heavenly! Because this dish is hearty, I like to add a bright side salad like Greek green bean salad; Balela Salad; or Fattoush Salad.
Watch Video Tutorial for How to Make these Braised Chicken Thighs
More Recipes to Try
Spanish Chicken and Rice with Chorizo
Mediterranean Bean Soup with Tomato Pesto
Mediterranean Style Zucchini Casserole
Moussaka: Greek Eggplant Casserole
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Easy Wine-Braised Chicken Thighs with Mushrooms
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
Easy braised chicken, seasoned with a Mediterranean rosemary spice mixture and cooked in a flavorful sauce with red wine, shallots, and mushrooms. Dried figs or apricots add a hint of sweetness, but not at all overwhelming. Finish with a splash of lemon juice and fresh parsley.
Ingredients
For Spice Mixture
- 1 tsp/ 1.20 g dried rosemary, more for later
- 1 tsp/2 g sweet paprika
- 1 tsp/ 1.2 g coriander
- ½ tsp/ 1.15 g black pepper
- ½ ts / 0.95 g ground allspice
- ½ tsp / 1 g nutmeg
For Chicken
- 8 chicken thighs, bone in, leave skin on but trim all extra skin/fat
- Private Reserve extra virgin olive oil
- 7 shallots, peeled and halved
- 10 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
- 4 tbsp tomato paste
- ¾ cup dry red wine (you can also use white wine if you prefer)
- 2 cup low-sodium, reduced fat chicken broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp/ 1.20 g dry rosemary
- 3 oz/ 85 g dry figs, halved (you can use apricots instead)
- 12 oz/ 340 g white mushrooms or Baby Bella mushrooms, cleaned, trimmed, and halved
- ½ lemon, juice of
- Fresh parsley, a handful for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a small bowl, combine the spices to make the spice mixture.
- Pat chicken dry and season well with salt on both sides. Now season with the spice mixture on both sides (make sure to lift skin up and rub some of the spice mixture underneath.) Leave aside for 20 minutes or refrigerate uncovered for 2 hours if you have the time.
- In a large braiser or Dutch oven (like this one), heat 1 to 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking (be sure to coat the bottom well with the EVOO.) Add chicken, skin side down, and cook undisturbed for 8 minutes until golden brown (lower heat if it starts to smoke excessively.) Turn chicken over and brown on the other side briefly (about 3 minutes). Transfer chicken to a plate for now.
- To the pot, add shallots and garlic. Cook briefly over medium heat until softer and fragrant. Stir in tomato paste, wine, and broth. Add bay leaves and 1tsp dry rosemary. Season with just a pinch of salt. Bring to a simmer for 4 minutes or so.
- Carefully nestle chicken into the liquid, making sure the liquid covers only ¾ of the chicken thighs leaving the skins exposed. Add dry figs (or apricots) to the pot. Bring to a simmer.
- Transfer chicken to oven and cook, uncovered, until totally tender and liquid has reduced by about half, about 40-45 minutes (Check half way through to be sure liquid is okay, you should still have some liquid in the end.)
- While chicken is cooking, heat a small non stick pan, adding a very small drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Add mushrooms and saute.
- About 10 minutes or before the chicken has finished cooking, add mushrooms. Return to oven for those last 10 minutes.
- Remove from oven. Finish with lemon juice and a garnish of fresh parsley.
- Serve with Lebanese rice (making sure to get some of the pan juice on top). Add a side of Greek Bean salad, of balela salad or fattoush salad.
Notes
- Cook's Tip: to achieve extra crispy skin, be sure to follow step #4 and resist the temptation to move the chicken before skin is nice and golden brown. And when ready to add the chicken to the liquid, Step #6, carefully nestle chicken in making sure the skin remains exposed. Do not cover the pot when you place it in the oven to finish cooking.
- Cook's Tip for storing leftovers. For our family of four, this meal makes two dinners. Leftovers are glorious! Simply refrigerate in a glass container with a tight lid for 2 to 4 days. Or you can freeze in a freezer-safe container until a later time. Thaw overnight in the fridge. To reheat, place in a baking dish, add a little liquid (broth or water) to the bottom, not covering the chicken fully. Bake in a medium heated oven until warmed through.
- Recommended for this recipe: from our organic and all-natural spices collections, dry rosemary; sweet Spanish paprika; coriander; allspice; and nutmeg. SAVE! Try our Ultimate Mediterranean Spice Bundle or Create Your Own 6 Pack of spices!
- Recommended for this Recipe: Private Reserve Greek extra virgin olive oil, from organically grown and processed Koroneiki olives. SAVE! Try our Greek EVOO Bundle!
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 50 mins
- Category: Entree/Poultry
- Method: Braising
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Since first trying this last year, this has become ia regular staple in our house. My kids, 14 and 11 request it frequently. We love what happens to the dried apricots and shallots. They melt in your mouth! And the chicken just falls off the bone. Thank you so much for sharing it!
Thanks so much, Brittany!
I haven't made this yet but I have skinless, boneless thighs that I need to use today or tomorrow. What do you think, should I save this recipe until I have some with the skin on? Is it that important that it would make or break the end result?
Thank you for your opinion!
Hi, Deanna! It will be a little different, but certainly won't make or break the dish in the end! I say if that's what you have on hand and need to use up, go for it!
When using boneless skinless chicken thighs, should you still sear the meat or just put it in to braise raw?
Hi, Lindsay! I would still sear them.
Wowza! The BEST chicken recipe I’ve EVER had!! Didn’t have rigs so put 2 TB apricot jam. Regular paprika instead of sweet. We are on third day of leftovers. It gets more delicious. It will be an absolute staple here!! LOVE. Thank you for helping us get thru this Covid epidemic with tasty recipes. I found you just in time. ❤️ From the Napa Valley.
Delicious - I used a tenderloin spice rub I adapted from a recipe for tenderloin by Joyce Goldstein (former chef/manager Chez Panisse), and added a dollop of fig jam in lieu of a dried figs
Great to hear it, Nan! Thanks for trying it.
I'm fresh out of rosemary but would love to make this tonight. What would be a good substitute herb?
Hi, Alix! I'd recommend thyme or tarragon for a last-minute rosemary substitute here.
Excellent!
So glad!
I added cubed parsnips and both figs and apricots.
It was delicious but next time I will add more liquid and cook it for less time.
My husband loved it.
Wonderful, Daniela! Thanks for sharing.
It was fantastic however the cooking time was Not stated as the full time. The time for me was probably more like 15 minutes rep, oven time 40 to 45 as stated however the stove cooking time and simmering time was not factored in to the above stated time. It left me scrambling trying to get my husband home early from work so I could leave for my daughters sports practice...that was fun haha! Fabulous dish though!!
Thanks so much for sharing, Jill! Glad you enjoyed it.
Made this last night and, wow!!! Absolutely delicious!! The dogs are a nice touch! Thank you!! Will be making again for sure.
Correction.... figs! Auto-correct! Sorry ?
Thanks, Sol! Glad you enjoyed this one...I too like the addition of the *figs here 🙂
Hello:
Thank you so very much for sharing this wonderful recipe!
Do you think it can be done in a slow cooker? Kindly comment if any alteration should be done.
Continuos success !!!!!!!!!! Dante.
Sure, Dante! You can transfer everything to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 4 to 6 hours or till chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165 degrees F.)
Delicious, thank you ❤️❤️❤️
My pleasure, Glenda!
Has anyone ever actually tried this using chardonnay? I cook with red wine all the time and looking to use white..
Stunning flavours and THE hit of the evening. And while a little bit more work to make, it definitely wasn't difficult. Will be a dinner-party go-to. I made it with skinless, boneless thighs and it was perfect.
What can I substitute in place of the dry figs
You can try another dried fruit like apricot. You can also omit, if you like.
I made this recipe and it was flat. Needed something and I don't know what. Disappointed.
Can skinless chicken breasts be used in place of thighs with the identical recipe or would it need to be adjusted?