Description
A flavorful and spicy Italian-inspired chicken bake featuring tender chicken thighs cooked with vibrant vegetables, nduja sausage, and a rich tomato sauce. This oven-baked dish is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner and can be served with crusty bread, rice, or pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Meat
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tablespoons nduja sausage (soft and spreadable)
Vegetables
- 1 small red onion, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 zucchini, sliced
Liquids and Oils
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 can (14 oz) chopped tomatoes
- ½ cup chicken broth
Spices and Seasonings
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish (optional)
- Fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the chicken and vegetables in one dish.
- Sear Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet or baking dish over medium heat. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Sear the chicken for 3–4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same pan, add sliced onion and minced garlic. Cook for 2 minutes until fragrant. Add the sliced red and yellow bell peppers and zucchini, cooking for an additional 5 minutes until the vegetables are slightly softened.
- Add Nduja and Sauce: Stir in the nduja sausage and cook until it melts and blends with the vegetables. Pour in the canned chopped tomatoes, smoked paprika, and chicken broth, stirring to combine the sauce evenly.
- Combine and Bake: Return the seared chicken thighs to the pan, nestling them into the sauce and vegetables. Transfer the entire skillet or dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce is bubbling.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired, and serve hot alongside your choice of crusty bread, rice, or pasta.
Notes
- Chicken thighs are preferred for juiciness, but chicken breasts can be used as a leaner option.
- Serve this dish with crusty bread, rice, or over pasta to make it a complete meal.
- You can adjust the level of spiciness by varying the amount of nduja used.
