Lemon Garlic Braised Chicken with capers is soul-warming! Crispy skin-on chicken thighs and legs seared and then braised in stock and lemon juice until they’re fork-tender. Extra delicious served with crusty bread!.
We start by seasoning the chicken and letting it hang out for a few hours so that it’s flavorful through and through. Then we’ll add the chicken to a screaming hot pan and sear the skin and render off most of the fat. We’ll add whole garlic cloves, chicken stock, herbs, and lemon juice to help make a braising liquid. Then the chicken goes into the oven and braises until fall-apart tender. And when you thought I was done, I’ll add a little butter to the sauce to thicken it up and to drizzle over mashed potatoes, rice, or to serve with grilled bread.
Braising chicken is a simple yet flavorful cooking technique that results in tender, moist chicken full of rich flavor. It involves searing chicken pieces first, then slowly cooking them in a small amount of liquid The long, slow cooking process allows the chicken to absorb all the delicious flavors from the braising liquid
How to Braise Chicken
Braising chicken is a two-step process:
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Sear the chicken Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a heavy pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat Brown the chicken pieces well on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. This caramelizes the exterior and builds flavor
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To make it taste better, add a little liquid that has flavor, like wine, broth, tomatoes, etc. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low. Cover and slowly cook for 45 to 60 minutes, until the chicken is very tender. Turn chicken pieces halfway through. The slow cooking allows chicken to absorb the liquid’s flavors.
Best Cuts for Braising Chicken
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Chicken thighs – With more fat and connective tissue, chicken thighs are perfect for braising. They stay juicy and tender.
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Legs of chicken: Like thighs, legs have more fat than thighs, so they won’t dry out. They become fall-off-the-bone tender when braised.
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Whole chicken—A whole chicken cut into eight pieces lets you braise it very well. The moist cooking method works well for both white and dark meat.
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Lean chicken breasts don’t have much fat, so they can dry out if you cook them for too long. Cook gently 45 minutes max.
Top Braising Liquids for Chicken
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Wine – White or red wine builds incredible flavor. Use dry wines like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir.
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Broth – Chicken, beef or vegetable broth keeps chicken moist and imparts savory flavor.
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Tomatoes – Whole, crushed, diced or sauce, tomatoes infuse chicken with bright flavor.
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Beer or ale – Darker beers like stout or porter give chicken richness. Lighter beers impart subtle flavor.
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Fruit juices – Apple, orange, or other juices lend mild sweetness and fruity notes.
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Soy sauce – For Asian-inspired chicken, use soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger and garlic.
Tips for Braising Chicken
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Pat chicken dry before searing so it browns well. Dry skin also crisps up.
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Use heavy Dutch oven or oven-safe skillet with a tight fitting lid. The thick material distributes heat evenly.
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Don’t overcrowd pan when searing. Cook chicken in batches if needed.
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Add aromatic veggies like onion, carrots, celery to braising liquid. They add flavor.
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Turn chicken pieces halfway through braising so all sides absorb flavor.
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Let braised chicken rest 5-10 minutes before serving so juices redistribute.
The Benefits of Braised Chicken
Braising chicken has many advantages over other cooking methods:
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Very tender and moist chicken – long cooking time breaks down proteins
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Infused with lots of flavor – chicken absorbs all the seasonings
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Easy, hands-off technique – most of the time chicken cooks unattended
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Added nutrients from veggies and liquid
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Economical – tougher cuts become tender and tasty
So next time you want juicy, super flavorful chicken, give braising a try! It takes a little time but the results are well worth it.
What does it mean to braise a chicken?
Braising is a cooking method similar to stewing. The food is simmered in a small amount of liquid in a casserole dish or pot. The liquid that the meat is cooked in can be anything from stock, wine, or juice. As the meat is slowly braised on top of a stove or in the oven, the flavors get stronger and blend. It is common to sear the meat in a pan before letting it braise slowly for a long time so that it gets more flavor. This browning process is important because it helps create more flavor. Braising poultry is also called ‘Fricasseeing. ’.
What ingredients do you need to make lemon garlic braised chicken?
- Chicken: Bone-in, skin-on chicken works best for this recipe. I used chicken legs and thighs, but chicken breasts will also work. Keep an eye on those in the oven because the times may be different.
- Salt and pepper: This recipe is pretty easy, but it will definitely be flavorful. Red pepper flakes, black pepper, kosher salt, and dried oregano are what you’ll need.
- Low-sodium chicken stock or broth is what I use and recommend for this recipe so that it doesn’t get too salty at the end.
- Squeeze of fresh lemon juice: this dish tastes better with a little extra lemon juice.
- Garlic Cloves: We’ll sauté whole garlic cloves in a little oil and then put them in the oven with the chicken to cook. This will help our braised chicken dinner taste and smell even better.
- Capers: The salty taste of the capers cuts through some of that richness. You can swap them out for Castelvetrano olives or leave them out of the recipe if you don’t like them.
- Butter: For this recipe, you’ll need cold cubed butter. Once the sauce is almost thick, we’ll add the butter one tablespoon at a time.
- Parsley adds a touch of freshness to finish the dish.
BEST Braised Chicken Thighs
FAQ
What is the meaning of braised chicken?
Braising, which comes from the French word braiser, is a way to cook that uses both dry and wet heats. Usually, the food is browned at a high temperature and then cooked slowly in a pot with a lid in cooking liquid like beer, wine, broth, or coconut milk.
What happens when you braise chicken?
When you braise chicken, you first brown it and then slowly cook it in liquid until it’s very tender and juicy. This method keeps the meat juicy and infuses it with layers of flavor from the aromatics and spices.
Is braised chicken healthy?
Yes, braised chicken can be a healthy meal, especially when prepared with lean chicken and plenty of vegetables. Braising involves searing the chicken and then simmering it in a flavorful liquid, which can result in tender, juicy meat and a flavorful sauce.