Description
This Fig Glazed Skillet Chicken features tender, juicy chicken pieces coated in a buttery garlic and rosemary rub, then roasted to perfection with a sticky, sweet, and tangy fig and balsamic glaze that creates a deliciously caramelized finish. Perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Butter Rub
- ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (divided)
- 3 sprigs rosemary, destemmed and minced (divided)
- 2 teaspoons salt (divided)
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper (divided)
- 1 fryer chicken, broken into 6 or 8 pieces (6 drumsticks and 2 thighs with skins on recommended)
Fig Glaze Sauce
- ½ cup (118 g) balsamic vinegar
- ½ cup (112 g) fig preserves
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 °F (218 °C) to prepare for roasting the chicken.
- Prepare Butter Rub: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter with half of the minced garlic, half of the minced rosemary, half of the salt, and half of the ground black pepper. Mix well to create a flavorful herb butter.
- Apply Butter Rub to Chicken: Place the chicken pieces into a 9-inch cast iron skillet. Rub the prepared butter mixture evenly onto the outside of each chicken piece, coating thoroughly.
- Start Roasting Chicken: Put the skillet with the chicken into the preheated oven to begin roasting.
- Prepare Fig Glaze Sauce: While the chicken starts roasting, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, fig preserves, and the remaining garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper in a bowl until smooth.
- Glaze Chicken: After some roasting time, pull the chicken out of the oven and brush the majority of the fig glaze sauce onto each piece of chicken.
- Continue Roasting and Basting: Return the chicken to the oven. Cook the chicken for about 25 minutes total or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 °F (74 °C). Baste the chicken with the pan sauce every 10 minutes for a sticky, tender finish.
- Finish and Serve: Once cooked, pour the remainder of the sauce over the chicken. Let the skillet rest to cool slightly before serving to allow the flavors to settle.
Notes
- You may choose to apply the fig glaze before roasting to avoid repeatedly removing the chicken from the oven. This method is flexible and can be adapted to your preference.
- Using a cast iron skillet helps achieve a beautifully caramelized crust on the chicken while roasting.