Pickle-Braised Chicken Thighs with Cauliflower “Rice”
Good food is always better when you pair it up with a delicious side dish. That's why we think you will absolutely fall in love with this flavorful chicken thighs recipe with a side of rice that's really cauliflower. If you haven't noticed--we're on a low-carb recipes quest around here lately, and we're pretty sure you're going to love indulging in this one.
What sets this recipe apart from other chicken recipes is that the chicken is braised in pickle juice. Yes. You absolutely just read that right. But don't run away before you sink your teeth into a bite of this moist and tasty chicken, because you really don't want to miss it.
Chicken Recipes for the Win
We love chicken recipes around here. From the Best Chicken Salad in the world to our favorite Chicken Enchiladas--chicken is just SO easy to cook with.
The dill pickle juice in this recipe adds a wonderful briny flavor to this recipe. If you find the finished flavor is too strong for your tastes, it can be tempered by adding additional chicken broth when making the pan sauce.
This is one of those meals that you'll want to sit and savor. It's comfort food at it's finest, but a bit healthier that that great big plate of Southern Mashed Potatoes everyone around my house is constantly craving.
Pickle-Braised Chicken Thighs with Cauliflower “Rice”
Instructions
- In a large 12” oven-proof skillet with deep sides, heat one tablespoon extra virgin olive oil and minced garlic over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Season the chicken thighs with freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Working in batches, place 4 chicken thighs in hot skillet, skin side down, and sear until the skin is golden brown and releases easily from the bottom of the skillet. Turn thighs and repeat on the other side.
- Remove browned chicken thighs from skillet and keep warm. Add another tablespoon of olive oil to pan and repeat process with the remaining 4 chicken thighs.
- Once all 8 chicken thighs are browned, return the first 4 thighs to the pan. Arrange thighs in a single layer and add the pickle juice and ½ cup chicken broth to the pan.
- Bring liquid to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 25-30 minutes, then turn each thigh over with tongs and continue cooking another 30 minutes or until the meat is very tender. Once tender, remove chicken thighs from skillet to a separate platter. Cover and keep warm.
- While the chicken is cooking, prepare the cauliflower “rice” by breaking the cauliflower into florets. Pulse florets in a food processor or grate by hand with a rectangular box grater to create rice-sized pieces.
- Once grated, dry cauliflower “rice” thoroughly by placing on paper towels or clean kitchen towels. Press lightly with another layer of paper towels or clean fabric to remove as much excess water as possible before cooking.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat before adding cauliflower. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low, cover and steam for approximately 5 minutes, or until cauliflower is tender. Remove from heat and set aside.
- To make the pan sauce, add remaining cup of chicken broth to the first skillet and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Scrape brown bits from bottom of pan with a wooden spoon and continue cooking until the sauce reduces by one half. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if desired.
- Serve chicken thighs over a bed of cauliflower rice and drizzle with pan sauce. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
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