Panko-Crusted Roast Chicken Thighs with Mustard & Thyme

This is a superstar weeknight dinner. I already know that I’m going to make it a million times. 😉 The preparation is actually very similar to my favorite weeknight salmon recipe.

This recipe was adapted from Bon Appétit, contributed by Jenny Rosenstrach. I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of bone-in, and adapted the cooking temperature, method, as well as the cooking time. I roasted the chicken over sliced rainbow carrots and also roasted potatoes and asparagus on separate sheet pans in the same oven. Wonderful!

• ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• ¼ cup Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons thyme leaves, plus 6 sprigs
• 10 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, patted dry
• coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
• 2 pounds medium carrots, scrubbed, cut into 4-inch pieces, halved lengthwise if thick (I used rainbow carrots)
• 2-3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 pounds tiny gold potatoes, optional
• 2 pounds asparagus, optional

1. Place a rack in highest position in oven; preheat to 425°, preferably on convection roast.
2. Place carrots on a parchment paper-lined rimmed baking sheet. Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper. Add the thyme sprigs and roast for 15 to 20 minutes; remove from oven and set aside. (At this point, I also began roasting the potatoes on a separate sheet pan, for about 30 minutes.)
3. Place panko in a shallow bowl.
4. Mash butter, mustard, and thyme leaves in another small bowl with a fork (it will be a little lumpy).
5. Season chicken thighs on both sides with salt and pepper. Arrange “skin side up” over the partially roasted carrots on the rimmed baking sheet.
6. Smear mustard-butter all over the top of the thighs.
7. Working with 1 piece at a time, firmly press chicken, skin side down, into panko so crumbs adhere. Place back on baking sheet, on top of the carrots, with the breadcrumbs facing up.
8. Roast until carrots are tender and chicken is cooked though, 20-25 minutes. (I cooked the chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.) (At this point, I also roasted the asparagus on a separate sheet pan, for about 15 minutes.)
9. Heat broiler. Broil chicken and carrots just until panko is golden brown and carrots are tender and browned in spots, about 2 minutes.
10. Transfer to a platter and pour pan juices over top, as desired.

One Year Ago: Sheet Pan Chicken & Mushrooms with Parsley Sauce

Two Years Ago: Chicken Meunière

Three Years Ago: Chicken with Mustard

Four Years Ago: Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Thyme

Five Years Ago: Chicken in Tomatoes

About Josette@thebrookcook

I live in Stony Brook, New York on Long Island. I love garlic and baking. My hobby (and love) is to try new recipes. My favorite recipe resources include The New York Times, Food and Wine, Bon Appetit, and Martha Stewart Living. Enjoy!

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