Dutch Oven Baked Seven-Spice Chicken

The Dutch Oven Baked Seven-Spice Chicken effortlessly merges the simplicity of Dutch oven cooking with the appeal of several diverse spices. It's an ideal choice for a family dinner or an impressive entrée for guests at a gathering. Check out here for more details!

So, why do we use a Dutch Oven?

A Dutch oven is distinguished by its strong frame, thick walls, and heavy, snug-fitting cover. Its distinct form encourages optimal heat and moisture retention, effectively imitating an oven within a pot. This property makes it adaptable to a variety of culinary techniques, including slow cooking, roasting, frying, and baking.

Because it's nestled inside a real oven, the consistent, homogeneous heat allows for even cooking while also preserving moisture for excellent flavor. The Dutch Oven Baked Seven-Spice Chicken exemplifies this: soft, evenly cooked chicken with a crispy and savory skin.

Here's what you'll need for this dish:

Ingredients:

5 skin-on chicken thighs
3 tablespoons of avocado oil (or any cooking oil for high-temperature cooking)
2 teaspoons of sea salt
2 teaspoons of freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons of smoked paprika
2 teaspoons of ground clove
2 teaspoons of ground allspice
2 teaspoons of ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons of ground thyme
2 teaspoons of cayenne pepper
A dash of soy sauce
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 long red chili pepper, sliced
Fresh parsley leaves

Instructions:

1. Prepare the chicken: Begin by cleaning your chicken thighs, removing any excess fat, and pat them dry. Place them on a large plate or tray.

2. Add avocado oil: Rub evenly on the chicken thighs.

3. Create the spice blend: Combine sea salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, ground clove, ground allspice, ground nutmeg, ground cinnamon, ground cayenne pepper, and ground thyme. Rub evenly over the chicken thighs.

4. Marinate the chicken: Add minced garlic and sliced chili pepper to your chicken. Rub the chicken generously with the spice blend, making sure to get under the skin whenever possible. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least an hour, or ideally overnight in the refrigerator, to ensure the flavors are fully absorbed.

5. Preheat your oven to 360°F (182°C).

6. Brown the chicken: Add avocado oil to the Dutch oven, then add chicken skin-down for 2-3 minutes to brown it. After that, turn over the chicken thighs and leave for 2 minutes to brown the other side. Add a dash of soy sauce for extra flavor.

7. Cover and bake: Place the lid on your Dutch oven, leaving a small opening for airflow. Transfer the Dutch oven to the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes.

8. Rest and serve: Once the chicken is cooked, remove the Dutch oven from the oven, and serve.

Dutch Oven Maintenance and Care Tips

To ensure you get the most out of your Dutch oven and keep it in good shape for years to come, here are a few care tips:

Seasoning: If your Dutch oven is cast iron, make sure it's properly seasoned. This not only enhances the flavor of your dishes, but also creates a natural non-stick surface and prevents rust.
Cleaning: Avoid using soap or harsh detergents on your cast iron Dutch oven, as they can strip away the seasoning. Instead, clean it with hot water and a stiff brush. Dry thoroughly to prevent rusting.
Heat management: Cast iron retains heat very well, which is great for even cooking. However, it also means that you should heat it up slowly to prevent cracking.
Storing: Store your Dutch oven with the lid slightly ajar to allow air circulation and prevent moisture buildup.
Cooking other dishes: Dutch ovens aren't just for savory dishes; they're also great for baking bread or desserts.

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