Skillet-Roasted Chicken with Pico de Gallo

 Ingredients:

For the Skillet-Roasted Chicken:

  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to your spice preference)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Lime wedges, for serving

For the Pico de Gallo:

  • 4 ripe tomatoes, diced
  • 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, seeds removed and finely chopped (adjust to your heat preference)
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Season and Prep the Chicken:

  • Season the chicken thighs with salt and black pepper on both sides.

2. Make the Spice Rub:

  • In a small bowl, combine the ground cumin, chili powder, paprika, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper.
  • Sprinkle the spice rub evenly over both sides of the chicken thighs.

3. Preheat the Oven:

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

4. Sear the Chicken:

  • Heat the olive oil in an ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the chicken thighs, skin-side down, and sear for about 3-4 minutes until the skin is crispy and golden brown.
  • Flip the chicken thighs and sear for an additional 2 minutes.

5. Roast the Chicken:

  • Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and roast the chicken for 25-30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the chicken is cooked through.

6. Make the Pico de Gallo:

  • While the chicken is roasting, prepare the pico de gallo.
  • In a bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, finely chopped red onion, finely chopped jalapeño pepper, chopped fresh cilantro, and lime juice.
  • Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  • Gently toss everything together and refrigerate until ready to serve.

7. Serve:

  • Remove the skillet-roasted chicken from the oven.
  • Serve each chicken thigh topped with a generous spoonful of pico de gallo.
  • Garnish with lime wedges for squeezing over the chicken.

8. Enjoy!

  • Skillet-Roasted Chicken with Pico de Gallo is best served hot and pairs wonderfully with rice, beans, or tortillas. It's a flavorful and satisfying dish that combines the richness of chicken with the freshness of pico de gallo.