Barcelona Brava Thighs
rcelona Brava Thighs is a mouthwatering chicken dish that beautifully combines the flavors of smoked and sweet paprika with a hint of cayenne heat, all mellowed by a simple tomato sauce. It's a nod to the flavors of Barcelona, making it a wonderful dish to explore Spanish cuisine at home.
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Equipment
- Cast-Iron Skillet
- cooking tongs
- Wooden Spoon
- meat thermometer
Ingredients
- 8 chicken thighs bone-in and skin-on
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- ¼ cup water
- fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Season the 8 chicken thighs on both sides with salt and pepper.
- In an oven-safe skillet, heat the 2 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs, skin-side down, and sear them for about 4-5 minutes until the skin is crispy and golden brown. Flip the chicken thighs and sear for another 2 minutes. Once seared, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the finely chopped 1 onion. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent, which should take about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced 2 cloves of garlic and continue cooking for an additional minute.
- Sprinkle the 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp sweet paprika, and ½ tsp cayenne pepper over the sautéed onion and garlic. Stir well to combine, letting the spices toast for about a minute.
- Pour the ½ cup tomato sauce and ¼ cup water into the skillet, stirring to mix the spices with the sauce. Allow the sauce to simmer for approximately 5-7 minutes until it has thickened slightly.
- Nestle the chicken thighs back into the skillet, ensuring each thigh is well coated with the sauce.
- Transfer the skillet to your preheated oven. Bake the chicken thighs for 25-30 minutes, or until they are fully cooked with an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Once done, remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Garnish the Barcelona Brava Thighs with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot. This dish pairs wonderfully with roasted potatoes or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce. For a lighter side, a simple green salad or grilled vegetables would also work well. Enjoy!
Notes
- Adjust the cayenne pepper according to your preferred level of heat.
- The chicken thighs can also be substituted with chicken legs or breasts; however, cooking times may vary.
- If you don't have an oven-safe skillet, you can transfer the sauce and chicken into a baking dish for the oven step.