Herbes de Provence Chicken

Herbes de Provence is a classic French seasoning. World Spice's version skips the lavender and oregano common in US blends, favoring marjoram, savory, chervil, thyme, dill and tarragon — a natural match for the subtle citrus of Bay Leaf Preserved Meyer Lemon Paste. Want more lemony flavor? The longer If & When rests on raw meat before cooking, the stronger the citrus notes.

"I went boneless (chicken) and did some bluefin tuna...it was five stars! I loved it! So did my wife and her Mom!" - Monte Schmidt, in California via email and an online review, September 2024

Need 

4 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs (about 8 oz. each) 
2 TBS If & When Bay Leaf Preserved Meyer Lemon Paste
2 tsp World Spice Herbes de Provence
1/2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
Fresh ground black pepper

Do

Pat dry the chicken with a paper towel. Add a few shakes of pepper.

In a small bowl, combine the herbs, preserved lemon paste and oil to form a rough paste. Apply the mixture to the thighs, under and over the skin, and to the underside. Unroll the thighs slightly to reach the nooks and crannies. Get in there.

Place snugly in a small, sealed container and marinate in the fridge for 20-30 minutes or longer (even overnight) for stronger flavor. Bring to room temperature before baking.

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Place the thighs skin-side down on the middle of the tray, ensuring they don’t touch.

Bake for 15 minutes, then flip them to skin-side up. Bake for another 15-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

For extra crispy skin, place the chicken under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, keeping a close eye on it to avoid burning. Let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

No time to marinate? Combine the Herbes de Provence and If & When with fresh garlic, rub into the underside of the thighs and secure with kitchen twine. After sautéing onions and peppers, sear the chicken in the same shallow pan, deglazing with a bit of water before finishing everything in the oven.

Preserved Meyer Lemon brightens the other ingredients, making it vibrant and cohesive without a strong citrus taste. For stronger Preserved Meyer Lemon notes, marinate per the recipe instructions above.