Baked Lemon Chicken Recipe with Dates
Baked lemon chicken recipe with dates is a no-fuss recipe that's slightly sweet and tangy. Made with naturally sweet dates and caramelized lemons, it's a great dish for a weeknight meal or for entertaining.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6-8 chicken thighs with bone and skin
- salt and pepper
- olive oil
- 1 lemon (cut into slices)
- 2 shallots (halved lengthwise)
- 6 medjol dates (pitted)
- 3 sprigs thyme
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon urfa chili (or 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes)
- flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425º.
- Heat about 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium high heat. Salt and pepper chicken and place skin side down in Dutch oven. Cook without moving for about 5 minutes until the skin is brown. Turn over in the Dutch oven so they are skin side up. Add lemon slices, and shallot, moving the chicken to the side so that the lemons come in contact with the bottom of the pot. Let it cook for about 2 minutes.
- Add dates, thyme and water. Sprinkle the top of the chicken with Urfa chili or red pepper flakes and place the lid on the Dutch oven. Place in the oven and cook for about 20 minutes until almost cooked through.
- Remove the lid and drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the chicken. Continue to cook uncovered until golden brown, about 15-20 minutes. Let it rest in the pan for 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
Barbara's Notes + Tips
- This is great served over rice.
- You can cup up a whole chicken into pieces and braise those instead of just purchasing chicken thighs.
- You can make this in advance and wait to cook it for the last 15 minutes before you are ready to serve it.
- You can make it spicy by using red pepper flakes instead of black pepper.
Nutrition
Calories: 209kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 68mg | Potassium: 248mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 84IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg
