Chicken thighs with eggplant and potatoes

Delicious Chicken Thighs Recipe with Eggplants and Potatoes

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 50 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Welcome to your kitchen! Today, I invite you to prepare an enticing recipe of chicken thighs with eggplants and potatoes, a dish that combines the delicate flavors of chicken meat with the velvety texture of eggplants and potatoes. This meal is not only delicious but also nutritious, providing a complete dish that will satisfy even the most discerning tastes.

Let’s talk a bit about our ingredients. Chicken thighs are an excellent source of protein, and when cooked properly, they become tender and juicy. Eggplants, rich in antioxidants, add an extra flavor, while potatoes are a staple that perfectly complements this dish. Together, these ingredients create a combination of textures and flavors that will delight your taste buds.

Here’s how you can prepare them step by step:

Ingredients:
- 2 chicken thighs
- 4 medium potatoes
- 1 eggplant (or frozen, pre-cut eggplants)
- 1 glass of water
- 200 ml tomato juice
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions:

1. Preparing the marinade: In a bowl, combine the mustard, thyme, marjoram, salt, pepper, and the two tablespoons of olive oil. Mix well until you obtain a smooth paste. This mixture will add intense flavor to the chicken thighs.

2. Marinating the chicken: Take the chicken thighs and coat them well with the obtained paste. Make sure each part of the thighs is evenly covered with the marinade. It’s ideal to let the thighs marinate in the fridge for a few hours (preferably 2-3 hours), but if you’re in a hurry, even 30 minutes will do wonders.

3. Preheating the oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C. This step is essential to ensure even cooking and a delicious crust.

4. Cooking the thighs: Place the chicken thighs in a baking dish. Add the glass of water and cover the dish with a lid or aluminum foil. Put the dish in the oven and let the thighs cook for 20 minutes. This step will help keep the juices in the meat.

5. Preparing the vegetables: In the meantime, peel the potatoes and cut them into cubes. If you are using frozen eggplants, make sure they are already cut. Once the 20 minutes have passed, take the dish out of the oven and add the potato cubes and eggplants on top of the thighs.

6. Final cooking of the dish: Add a little water to the dish, if necessary, to prevent it from drying out. Put the dish back in the oven for another 10 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the tomato sauce: in a bowl, mix the tomato juice with the crushed garlic. This sauce will add an extra flavor to your dish.

7. Finalizing the dish: After the 10 minutes, take the dish out of the oven and add the tomato sauce with garlic over the vegetables and thighs. Cover the dish again and let everything cook in the oven for another 15-20 minutes or until the vegetables are cooked and the thighs are nicely browned.

Serving

When everything is ready, take the dish out of the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving. You can accompany it with a fresh salad, such as a tomato and cucumber salad, or, as we did, with bell peppers in tomato juice. This combination provides a pleasant contrast between the warm flavors of the dish and the freshness of the salad.

Useful tips

- Variations of the recipe: You can also add other vegetables, such as carrots or zucchini, to vary the taste. Additionally, if you prefer a spicier flavor, you can add chili peppers to the tomato sauce.
- Alternative cooking: For a healthier option, you can steam or grill the ingredients and then combine them with the tomato sauce.
- Calories and nutritional benefits: This recipe offers approximately 450 calories per serving, being rich in protein, vitamins, and fiber due to the vegetables.

Frequently asked questions

- Can I use other parts of the chicken? Yes, you can use chicken breast or wings, but the cooking time may vary.
- How can I make this dish more filling? You can add rice or quinoa as a side dish, turning it into an even richer meal.
- What drinks pair well with this dish? A dry white wine or freshly squeezed tomato juice are excellent choices.

Now that you have all the necessary information, it’s time to start cooking! Chicken thighs with eggplants and potatoes are a perfect choice for a family dinner or to impress friends. Enjoy every bite and savor this culinary experience. Bon appétit!