Best Chicken Thighs With Kale Recipes

AIR FRYER CHICKEN THIGHS WITH SALSA VERDE AND LEMONY KALE SALAD

Steps:

• For the lemony kale salad: Whisk the lemon juice, Dijon, lemon zest, pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon salt and several grinds of pepper in a large bowl until combined. Slowly whisk in 3 tablespoons of the olive oil until smooth and emulsified. Add the kale and toss until well coated. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, if needed. Set aside at room temperature to marinate and soften, at least 15 minutes at and up to 8 hours in the refrigerator.
• Meanwhile, preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F. Toss together the panko, remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper in a 6- to 7-inch baking dish until evenly combined. Place the baking dish in the air fryer basket and air fry until the panko are golden brown, stirring halfway through, 4 to 6 minutes. Remove the dish from the air fryer, stir in the Pecorino and set aside.
• For the chicken thighs: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Pat the chicken dry between a few paper towels (this will help the skin get crispy). Rub the lemon zest onto the skinless side of each thigh and season with a good pinch of salt and several grinds of pepper. Flip the thighs over, rub the olive oil onto the skin and season each thigh with a good pinch of salt and several grinds of pepper. Place the thighs in the air fryer basket skin-side up, leaving a little space between each piece. Air fry until the skin is crispy and the chicken is browned all over and cooked through, 22 to 25 minutes.
• For the salsa verde: Meanwhile, finely chop the capers, anchovy filets (if using), garlic and a small pinch of salt with a sharp chef's knife, mashing and scraping the mixture until it becomes a paste. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in the olive oil, vinegar and lemon zest. Fold in the parsley, basil and chives until thoroughly combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, if needed.
• To serve, give the kale salad a good toss, then top with the toasted panko and some more grated Pecorino. Transfer the chicken thighs to a dinner plate or serving platter and spoon the salsa verde over the top. Serve with the kale salad.

SPICY SHEET-PAN CHICKEN WITH SWEET POTATOES AND KALE

Steps:

• In a large shallow mixing bowl, combine the harissa and yogurt. Pat the chicken dry, then season all over with salt and pepper. Add the chicken to the yogurt mixture, gently rubbing until fully coated, and set aside for 15 minutes.
• Heat the oven to 450 degrees and place a rack in the lower third and one 6 inches from the broiler. On a sheet pan, toss the sweet potato, kale and onion with 3 tablespoons oil. Season with cumin, salt and pepper, massaging the kale as you do so. Clear four spaces for the chicken pieces, then place them skin-side up on the pan. (It may look messy and crowded, but the kale will shrink down as it cooks.)
• Roast on the lower rack, 30 to 35 minutes, stirring the vegetables halfway and rotating the tray, until the chicken skin is crispy and the juices run clear, the squash is tender and the kale is crispy. If the vegetables are done, but the chicken skin is not as crispy as you'd like, remove the vegetables from the sheet pan and place just the chicken under the broiler for another 1 to 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small serving bowl, combine the parsley, lime zest and half the lime juice with the remaining 1/4 cup oil and the red-pepper flakes. Season to taste with salt, pepper and additional lime juice. Serve the chicken and vegetables with the herb oil to drizzle over top.

CRISPY CHICKEN THIGHS WITH KALE, APRICOTS, AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Place a rack in top of oven; preheat to 400°F. Season chicken on both sides with 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Pour oil into a large braising pan or deep-sided skillet. Arrange chicken skin side down in an even layer in cold pan, then place over medium heat and cook until skin is golden brown, 12-15 minutes. Transfer to a plate skin side up. Remove pan from heat, reserving fat.
• Meanwhile, combine apricots, vinegar, and 2 Tbsp. water in a small saucepan and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, until liquid is boiling. Remove from heat.
• Stir garlic into hot fat remaining in pan. Working in batches, add kale and toss with tongs until all kale is coated and just beginning to wilt, about 3 minutes. (Make sure your kale is dry; otherwise, the fat will spatter.)
• Add apricot mixture, olives, red pepper, if using, and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt to kale mixture and toss to combine. Nestle chicken skin side up into kale mixture, fluffing kale up between chicken pieces so it has a chance to crisp in the oven. Pour wine around chicken. Roast until chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes.

KALE AND CHICKEN STIR-FRY

Steps:

• Lightly season chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper.
• Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat and pan-fry chicken until it is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, turning occasionally, about 10 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Remove from skillet, allow to cool, and cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Meanwhile, pierce sweet potato with a fork a few times and microwave until fork-tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Be careful not to overcook. Remove and allow to cool; then cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Heat oil in a wok, Dutch oven, or heavy skillet over medium heat. Add kale, season with salt and pepper, and cook until wilted, 3 to 5 minutes. Add sweet potato, mini peppers, onion, zucchini, and garlic. Stir-fry for 3 to 5 minutes. Add chicken and peanut sauce. Stir all ingredients together until well combined. Cook and stir for 3 minutes.