Get ready to turn up the heat in your kitchen with this Spicy Garlic Herb Chicken Bake! This epic dish is a flavor explosion that’s sure to make your taste buds dance with joy. Juicy chicken smothered in a mouthwatering blend of spices, herbs, and garlic – it’s the ultimate comfort food with a bold, rebellious twist. So, y’all ready to break some delicious rules today?
Why You’ll Love This Spicy Garlic Herb Chicken Bake
This Spicy Garlic Herb Chicken Bake is an absolute game-changer in the world of chicken recipes. It’s the perfect balance of bold, spicy flavors and irresistible comfort. The chicken bakes up incredibly juicy and tender, while the garlic herb coating creates a sensational crispy crust that’ll have you licking your fingers clean. It’s the kind of dish that makes your friends and family ooh and ahh with envy – you know, the one that causes serious food jealousy. Plus, it’s shockingly easy to make, so you can bring the flavor explosion to your table any night of the week. Trust me, this recipe is about to turn your kitchen into a flavor paradise!
Ingredients
For this Spicy Garlic Herb Chicken Bake, you’ll need bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks, olive oil, garlic, a variety of dried herbs (like oregano, basil, and thyme), smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. That’s it! The combination of these bold, punchy ingredients creates a flavor profile that’s out-of-this-world delicious.
- 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks – the hero of the dish!
- 3 tablespoons olive oil – for coating the chicken
- 6 cloves garlic, minced – the flavor powerhouse
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano – earthy and aromatic
- 1 teaspoon dried basil – fresh and herbal
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme – warm and woodsy
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika – for a subtle smoky kick
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper – to bring the heat!
- 1 teaspoon salt – to season the chicken
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper – to balance the flavors
Ingredient Substitutions
- Chicken: If you’re not a fan of chicken thighs or drumsticks, you can definitely use chicken breasts instead. Just keep in mind that the cooking time may need to be adjusted.
- Herbs: And if you don’t have access to all the dried herbs, you can use a pre-made Italian seasoning blend or any combination of your favorite herbs.
How to Make Spicy Garlic Herb Chicken Bake
Let’s get to the good stuff – how to turn this epic dish into a reality in your own kitchen!
Step 1: Prep Work
To get started, preheat your oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. In a small bowl, combine the minced garlic, dried herbs, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Give it a good stir to blend everything together.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Next, place your chicken pieces skin-side up on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle the chicken with olive oil, then sprinkle the garlic herb seasoning all over, making sure to coat the chicken evenly. Use your hands to rub the seasoning into the skin for maximum flavor.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Pop that chicken bake into the oven and let it work its magic for 35-45 minutes, until the skin is crispy and the chicken is cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F. Once it’s done, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
To really take this Spicy Garlic Herb Chicken Bake over the top, you can garnish it with some freshly chopped parsley or green onions. Serve it up with your favorite sides, like roasted veggies or a fresh, crunchy salad, and get ready to devour this epic, flavor-packed dish!
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Lemon Zest: Want to make this chicken bake even more mind-blowing? Try adding some lemon zest to the seasoning mix for a bright, citrusy kick.
- Spice it Up: Or, if you really want to turn up the heat, increase the amount of cayenne pepper.
- Creamy Twist: For a creamy twist, you can even whip up a quick garlic herb yogurt sauce to drizzle over the top. The possibilities are endless when it comes to customizing this recipe to your taste!
- Crispy Skin Tip: To ensure super crispy skin, make sure to pat the chicken dry before seasoning, and don’t overcrowd the baking sheet. You can also try broiling the chicken for 2-3 minutes at the end to really crisp up the skin.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: Roasted potatoes, steamed broccoli, a fresh green salad, or a simple rice or quinoa dish.
Storage: This Spicy Garlic Herb Chicken Bake will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or the microwave, but be aware that the skin may not be as crispy after reheating.
Make-Ahead: You can prepare the seasoning mix in advance and store it in an airtight container. When you’re ready to bake the chicken, simply coat the chicken with the seasoning and pop it in the oven.
Nutrition Information
This Spicy Garlic Herb Chicken Bake is a delicious and nutritious meal option. Each serving (about 4 ounces of chicken) contains around 300 calories, 25 grams of protein, 18 grams of fat, and 2 grams of carbs. It’s a great source of lean protein, and the herbs and spices provide a nice boost of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.
- Serving Size: 4 ounces
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Protein: 25 g
- Carbs: 2 g
- Fat: 18 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use boneless, skinless chicken for this recipe?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs will work great, but you may need to adjust the cooking time as they tend to cook faster than bone-in, skin-on chicken.
How spicy is this dish?
The level of spice in this Spicy Garlic Herb Chicken Bake is completely customizable. The recipe calls for a moderate amount of cayenne pepper, but you can easily reduce or increase the amount to suit your personal heat preference.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can definitely prepare the seasoning mix in advance and store it in an airtight container. When you’re ready to bake the chicken, simply coat the chicken with the seasoning and pop it in the oven.
What are some good side dish ideas to serve with this chicken?
This Spicy Garlic Herb Chicken Bake pairs beautifully with all kinds of sides. Some of my favorite options include roasted potatoes, steamed broccoli, a fresh green salad, or a simple rice or quinoa dish.
How can I make the chicken extra crispy?
To ensure super crispy skin, make sure to pat the chicken dry before seasoning, and don’t overcrowd the baking sheet. You can also try broiling the chicken for 2-3 minutes at the end to really crisp up the skin.
Try These Next
- Crispy Garlic Herb Chicken Wings With Spicy Ranch Dip
- Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Bake
- Spicy Chili Garlic Sauce Buffalo Chicken Nacho Bake
Flavorful Spicy Garlic Herb Chicken Bake
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
A flavorful and spicy chicken dish baked to perfection with garlic and herbs.
Ingredients
4 chicken breasts
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. In a bowl, mix olive oil, garlic, paprika, oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
3. Coat the chicken breasts with the spice mixture.
4. Place the chicken in a baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes until cooked through.
5. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
6. Serve with your choice of sides.
Notes
For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the spice mixture for a few hours before baking.
Adjust the level of spiciness by varying the amount of red pepper flakes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: chicken, spicy, bake, garlic, herb