Baked Chicken
Ingredients:
- 3 lbs of chicken legs or wings
- Cajun seasoning
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Poultry seasoning
- 1/3 cup chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
Directions:
- Preparation of Chicken:
- In a large bowl, liberally season the chicken legs or wings with Cajun seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Make sure each piece is evenly coated with the spices.
- Once seasoned, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the chicken to a resealable plastic bag. Place in the refrigerator and let marinate for 1 to 2 hours, or for best results, leave it to marinate overnight.
- Preheat the Oven:
- About 20 minutes before you’re ready to cook, remove the chicken from the refrigerator to let it come to room temperature. This helps in cooking the chicken more evenly.
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
- Prepare the Baking Dish:
- While the oven is heating, prepare your baking dish. Spread the chopped onions, green bell pepper, and minced garlic evenly on the bottom of the dish. This bed of vegetables will flavor the chicken as it cooks and also keep it moist.
- Place the marinated chicken pieces on top of the chopped vegetables.
- Pour 1/3 cup of chicken broth into the bottom of the dish. The broth will help create a moist environment in the oven, keeping the chicken juicy and tender.
- Baking:
- Place the dish in the preheated oven, uncovered. Bake for 45-50 minutes.
- Every 20 minutes, open the oven and carefully baste the chicken with the drippings and broth from the bottom of the dish. This basting process helps to enhance the flavor and ensures the chicken skin gets a nice color and crispness.
- Serving:
- Once the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit or 74 degrees Celsius), remove from the oven. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve hot, garnished with some fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro if desired.
Additional Tips:
- Variations: You can add other vegetables like carrots, celery, or potatoes to the baking dish for a complete meal.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven or microwave until thoroughly warm.
Enjoy your deliciously baked chicken, perfect for a comforting meal!
