Chicken with Olives

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This recipe for Chicken with Olives came about after cleaning out the pantry as well as the freezer.  I always love coming up with new recipes using what is only available in the house without going to the market.  This usually happens after coming home from a trip.  So, I always have chicken thighs tucked away in the freezer for emergency meals like this one.  Quick, easy and delicious is what this recipe for Chicken with Olives is.

They say most guys are “breast” guys, well, my guy is all about the legs and thighs!  We quit eating white meat, awhile back, after having an incredible chicken dinner of legs and thighs.  Legs and thighs are so much more flavorful, not to mention moister than a dried out breast.  Guess what?  Those thighs are not bad for you.  We are all told white meat is better, dark meat is too fatty.  It is true chicken thighs contain twice the amount of fat of a boneless, skinless breast but it is only 11 grams of fat per 4 ounces serving, which is less than the same size serving of beef. As well as being “okay” to eat they are also more economical.

While I was pan searing these amazing little thighs the other night, I was twittering with Nanette, of Gourmet Worrier, about olives.  She was telling me about these amazing sounding stuffed olives.  I was so intrigued, that my thighs set off the fire alarms at our house and this dish almost became the 3 alarm chicken, when the fire department showed up – oops!   (single readers, a great way to meet a fireman, but I don’t recommend doing it too often or they might catch on)  Lucky for me, I had a jar of black olives and after the fire department left, I decided to throw the olives along with some lemon and rosemary into the pan and bake the chicken.  This dish was not the stuffed olives but it was amazing.  it came out very moist, slightly salty and tart with a floral and slightly pungent taste of rosemary;  really a great dish not to mention very easy!

Recipe:  Chicken with Olives

serves 4

Ingredients:

• 8 chicken thighs
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium shallot, thinly sliced
• 1 garlic clove, mashed
• 1 jar black olives, drained
• a handful of fresh rosemary, lightly crushed (I just give a squeeze between my palms)
• 1 Meyer lemon, quartered
• kosher salt, to taste
• fresh cracked black pepper, to taste

How To:

1. Preheat oven to 425.
2. Heat olive oil in a deep ovenproof frying pan, add shallots and garlic, cook for about 3 – 5 minutes over low heat.
3. Wash chicken thighs and pat dry, season with salt and pepper.
4. Add legs to the frying pan and brown until golden on all sides, about 6 – 10 minutes total.
5. Add olives, lemon, and rosemary.
6. Bake in the oven for about 35 – 40 minutes, until cooked through.
7. Serve.
8. Eat.