Chicken Under a Brick in a Hurry

Ingredients for Chicken Under a Brick in a Hurry

• 4 skin-on, boneless chicken thighs (about 600g .)

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more

• Freshly ground black pepper

• 80ml extra-virgin olive oil, divided

• 1 oil-packed anchovy fillet, finely chopped

• 1 garlic clove, finely grated

• 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley

• 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar

• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

• 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes

• 3 spring onions, white and pale green parts only, thinly sliced

Set a large piece of foil and a heavy skillet aside for weighing down chicken. Season chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Pour 1 tablespoon oil into a medium cast-iron skillet. Arrange chicken thighs in pan skin side down (make sure they don’t overlap) and set pan over medium-high. Place foil over chicken, then set skillet on top. Cook chicken, checking halfway through to make sure skin isn’t taking on colour too quickly and reducing heat to medium if needed, until skin is deep golden brown and crisp and flesh is almost completely cooked through, about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine anchovy, garlic, parsley, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Mix in vinegar, mustard, red pepper flakes, and remaining 4 tablespoons oil, then spring onions. Taste and season pesto verde with more salt if needed.

Remove top skillet and check chicken. There should be only a thin band of medium-rare flesh on the thickest part of thighs. Using a thin spatula, release chicken skin from pan and turn thighs over. Remove pan from heat and let chicken sit to finish cooking through, about 1 minute.

Spoon some pesto verde onto a platter. Top with chicken, arranging skin side up, and spoon more pesto over (but don’t cover up all that beautiful skin!).

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.