Dani is a college student and loves time management, personal finance, video games, and writing about their college experiences.

I adapted this dish from an old family recipe passed down by my Louisianian grandfather. Chicken was a staple in my household, alongside crawfish, sausage, and other yummies. I was taught that celery, onion, and bell peppers (recommended as a side on this particular recipe) was the Holy Trinity of cooking. This vegetable mix, adapted with a bit of Italian spices, makes for a unique and crisp twist on classic dishes.

Cook Time

Ingredients

• 10 whole chicken thighs, bone-in skin-on
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 stp celery salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp oregano leaves
• 1/4 tsp basil
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine all spices and seasonings in small bowl, mix with fork. For best results, press whole basil to release aroma and get the best flavor.
3. Cover medium-sized baking pan with aluminum foil and place chicken thighs in pan.
4. Rub spice mix on chicken skin, rubbing under the skin to reach the meat where possible. Sprikle leftover spices on top.
5. Place in oven, once properly preheated, for an 1 and 1/2 hours. Be sure that juices run clear, chicken is no longer pink at the bone, and your meat thermometer reads at least 165.
6. (Optional) For extra crispiness, broil chicken for 1-2 minutes. But be careful, whole spices can burn easily at high temperatures.

Recommended Sides

• Spanish rice. Also known as saffron rice, this is a common and tasty accompaniment to chicken dishes. It brings out the savory flavors in the chicken and adds a buttery, creamy texture without being overbearing. Prepared slow-roasted with bell peppers completes the Cajun Holy Trinity. For additional creaminess, use juice from your prepared chicken to make an extra tasty rice dish. This is one of my favorite and easiest rice recipes.
• Mashed potatoes. The classic Southern side dish can make this spicy meal a little more traditional. If you're looking to streamline your calorie intake, you could try mashed potatoes mixed in with steamed cauliflower. The addition of cauliflower adds a creamy texture with a little more nutritional value than your standard mashed potato dish.

© 2018 Dani Merrier