Oven-baked thighs

Our garlic and spice chicken recipe is simple yet full of flavor, perfect for a delicious dinner. We start by preparing the necessary ingredients. You will need 4 chicken thighs, 4 cloves of garlic, 100 g of margarine, salt, pepper, sweet paprika, and herbes de Provence. These flavors will combine perfectly to give the dish an irresistible taste.

The first step is to crush the garlic. Use a mortar or a simple knife to mash the garlic cloves until they become a fine paste. Then, incorporate the garlic paste into the softened margarine, mixing them well until you achieve a homogeneous composition. This mixture will add an intense flavor to the chicken thighs and help tenderize the meat.

The next step is to season the margarine with salt, pepper, sweet paprika, and herbes de Provence. Add the spices to taste, making sure to achieve a flavorful balance that complements the chicken's taste. Mix everything until the spices are fully integrated into the garlic margarine.

Now it's time to prepare the chicken thighs. Take each thigh and carefully peel the skin away from the meat, forming a sort of pocket. This technique not only helps the flavors penetrate but also results in a crispy texture after cooking. Use a spoon to fill the formed pocket with the margarine, garlic, and spice mixture, ensuring each thigh is well coated.

After filling all the thighs, you can place them in a baking dish lined with parchment paper or lightly oiled. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius and let the thighs bake for about 35-40 minutes, or until they turn golden and crispy, and the juices run clear when pierced with a knife.

When the chicken is ready, take the dish out of the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. This step is essential to allow the juices to redistribute in the meat, so each bite is juicy and full of the flavor you've created. Serve the chicken thighs alongside a side of grilled vegetables or mashed potatoes, and enjoy a delicious dish that is sure to impress all your loved ones. Bon appétit!

 Ingredients: 1. 3 thighs (one per person); 2. 3 tablespoons of margarine (butter can also be used - I don't like it because it fries the chicken too hard); 3. 1 1/2 tablespoons of spices of your choice; 4. a few cloves of garlic.