2 min read

Baharat Roasted Chicken Thighs

Overhead shot of Baharat Roasted Chicken Thighs plated appetizingly in a baking tray
Gluten-FreeHigh-ProteinGut HealingQuick
Prep Time10 min
Cook Time35 min
Total Time45 min
Servings4

Baharat is a warm, almost dessert-like spice blend of cinnamon, allspice, cumin and black pepper, and it turns plain chicken thighs into something you'll want to make on repeat. Once you've got a jar of baharat in the pantry, put it to work again in turmeric roasted chicken with root vegetables or baked chicken thighs with fennel and olives. Bone-in, skin-on thighs stay juicy under a hot oven and render down into a rich, collagen-heavy pan sauce worth spooning over everything.

Ingredients

  • 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp baharat spice blend
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup chicken bone broth
  • 1 lemon, half juiced, half sliced
  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Pat chicken thighs dry and rub all over with olive oil, baharat and salt.
  2. Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium-high and sear thighs skin-side down 5 minutes until golden.
  3. Flip thighs, scatter garlic and lemon slices around the pan, and stir tomato paste into the broth before pouring it in.
  4. Transfer skillet to the oven and roast 25 to 28 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internally.
  5. Rest 5 minutes, stir lemon juice into the pan juices, then spoon over the thighs and top with parsley.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories 410
Total fat 28g
Total carbohydrates 3g
Dietary fiber 1g
Protein 35g
Sodium 480mg

Why This Is Good for Your Gut

Bone broth simmered from chicken thighs releases glycine and glutamine, amino acids that support the tight junction proteins holding the intestinal lining together. Baharat's cinnamon and black pepper both carry compounds shown to support a more balanced gut microbial ratio, while piperine in the black pepper improves absorption of other nutrients in the dish. For another bone-in chicken dish built the same way, try chicken with olives and preserved lemon.

Weeknight chicken that tastes like you planned ahead, even when you didn't.

This recipe is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional dietary advice.

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