Kelly's Lemon Chicken

Caramelized shallot, garlic & lemon zest in sesame oil, thighs seared & roasted, beer-deglazed — over a Caesar

Serves 4 · 20 min

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1½–2 lb boneless chicken thighs (cook an extra for the pho)
3–4 shallots, sliced · 4 garlic cloves, sliced
zest of 1 lemon (+ the juice, to finish)
2 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
¼–⅓ cup beer, to deglaze
salt · pepper
to serve: Caesar salad — romaine, dressing, parmesan, croutons

What you need

1½–2 lb boneless chicken thighs (cook an extra for the pho)

3–4 shallots, sliced · 4 garlic cloves, sliced

zest of 1 lemon (+ the juice, to finish)

2 Tbsp toasted sesame oil

¼–⅓ cup beer, to deglaze

salt · pepper

to serve: Caesar salad — romaine, dressing, parmesan, croutons

Caramelize the base. In an oven-safe skillet, cook the shallots, garlic, and lemon zest in the sesame oil over medium-low until soft and golden, ~8–10 min. Sweet, nutty, citrusy — this is the whole flavor of the dish.
Sear the thighs. Season with salt and pepper; lay them in the skillet (right over the shallots) and sear hard both sides in that oil.
Deglaze with beer. Splash in the beer and scrape up the browned bits; it lifts into a quick glaze and adds a malty depth.
Roast. Slide the skillet into a 350°F oven, ~45 min, until the thighs read 175°F and are glazed in the pan juices.
Finish & serve. Rest, squeeze the lemon over, and slice. Lay the warm chicken over a Caesar salad. Save the drippings and one thigh for the pho.

Steps — tap one to keep your place

1. Caramelize the base. In an oven-safe skillet, cook the shallots, garlic, and lemon zest in the sesame oil over medium-low until soft and golden, ~8–10 min. Sweet, nutty, citrusy — this is the whole flavor of the dish.

2. Sear the thighs. Season with salt and pepper; lay them in the skillet (right over the shallots) and sear hard both sides in that oil.

3. Deglaze with beer. Splash in the beer and scrape up the browned bits; it lifts into a quick glaze and adds a malty depth.

4. Roast. Slide the skillet into a 350°F oven, ~45 min, until the thighs read 175°F and are glazed in the pan juices.

5. Finish & serve. Rest, squeeze the lemon over, and slice. Lay the warm chicken over a Caesar salad. Save the drippings and one thigh for the pho.

No alcohol? swap the wine or beer for the same amount of stock, with a splash of vinegar or lemon for the brightness. Low salt — salt at the end and taste as you go; broth, cheese, and canned goods already bring salt.