Thirteen Spice Skillet Chicken Thighs with Crème Fraîche: Your New Favorite Weeknight Meal
Discover the ultimate weeknight convenience with these Thirteen Spice Skillet Chicken Thighs with Crème Fraîche. Requiring only 6 minutes of active prep time and offering incredibly easy cleanup, this dish is a genuinely simple yet surprisingly sophisticated meal perfect for any busy evening.
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As an avid home cook, there’s no secret that I adore spending time in the kitchen. The joy of transforming fresh ingredients into a delightful meal is truly fulfilling. However, my passion for cooking doesn’t always translate into a desire for elaborate, multi-step dishes, especially on hectic weeknights. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. When I’m meticulously planning our family’s weekly menu, my primary goal is to discover easy, fast, and flavorful recipes that don’t come with an intimidatingly long list of ingredients or an endless pile of dishes to wash. The ideal weeknight dinner should be both satisfying and straightforward, leaving more time for relaxation and less for kitchen chores. This pursuit of culinary efficiency led me to a remarkable cookbook that promises to revolutionize the way we approach quick meals, exemplified perfectly by this incredible Thirteen Spice Skillet Chicken Thighs recipe.
Unlocking Weeknight Wonders with “The Quick Six Fix” Cookbook
This brings me to a truly game-changing cookbook that I recently had the pleasure of reviewing: The Quick Six Fix by Stuart O’Keefe. My initial introduction to this culinary gem happened during an episode of The Rachael Ray Show, where Chef O’Keefe was showcasing some of his book’s enticing recipes. While I’m always on the lookout for recipes promising to be ready in under 30 minutes, the unique philosophy behind this particular book truly captivated my interest. Every single recipe within its pages adheres to a very specific, appealing mantra: 6 key ingredients, 6 minutes of hands-on preparation time, and an astonishing 6 minutes of clean-up. What a revelation! A cookbook that not only focuses on speed but also directly addresses the most dreaded part of cooking dinner – the cleanup. This aspect alone was enough to pique my curiosity and eager to put its promises to the test.
It’s important to clarify the “6 ingredients” claim, as some recipes might appear to have more than six items listed. Chef O’Keefe brilliantly defines these as six *key* ingredients, operating on the assumption that you likely already have common pantry staples on hand. The book even thoughtfully includes a helpful checklist of essential pantry items at the beginning, making it simple to stock your kitchen for success. While it’s true that not every recipe strictly adheres to just six ingredients, the vast majority feature fewer than ten, and frankly, many of those additional items are indeed standard staples I keep stocked anyway. This practical approach ensures that the recipes remain genuinely accessible and minimize the need for special grocery trips, reinforcing the book’s core promise of ease and efficiency.
Cookbook Highlights: Why “The Quick Six Fix” Stands Out
Here are the details that make this cookbook a must-have for anyone seeking to simplify their meal preparation:
- Number of Photos: Abundant and Inspiring. The book is generously illustrated with a multitude of stunning photographs. While not every single recipe includes a picture, a significant majority do. These photos are not only gorgeous but also incredibly appetizing, providing fantastic visual inspiration and making it easy to envision the delicious results before you even start cooking.
- Difficulty Level of Recipes: Effortlessly Easy. True to its promise, the recipes in “The Quick Six Fix” are designed with simplicity in mind. Given the 6-minute prep time per recipe, they are inherently straightforward and require minimal cooking expertise. This makes it an ideal resource for novice cooks, busy parents, or anyone looking for stress-free meal solutions.
- Availability of Ingredients: Readily Accessible. Another strong point of this cookbook is the common availability of its ingredients. Since the focus is on short ingredient lists and essential pantry items, you won’t find yourself searching for obscure or expensive specialty items. Most ingredients can be found at any standard grocery store, and as mentioned, many you’ll likely have on hand already.
Other delectable recipes I’m eager to try from “The Quick Six Fix” include:
- Speedy Gonzales Eggs: A breakfast or brunch option that sounds incredibly quick and flavorful.
- BLTA Steak Salad: Combining classic flavors in a fresh, hearty salad that promises to be a full meal.
- Butternut Squash and Coconut Soup: A comforting and exotic soup that sounds both nourishing and easy to prepare.
- Lemony Artichoke Spaghetti: A light and bright pasta dish, perfect for a fast vegetarian dinner.
- Ten-Minute Coconut Shrimp Curry: An incredibly appealing, fast-paced curry that brings vibrant flavors to the table.
- A Very, Very Garlic Chicken: For garlic lovers, this promises an intense burst of flavor with minimal effort.
- Sticky Ribs: A classic comfort food, reimagined for quick preparation and maximum stickiness.
- Raspberry Custard Pots: A simple, elegant dessert that offers a sweet ending to any meal.
You can purchase The Quick Six Fix on Amazon and start transforming your cooking routine today.
Mastering the Thirteen Spice Skillet Chicken Thighs with Crème Fraîche
And now, let’s dive into the star of the show: the Thirteen Spice Skillet Chicken Thighs! Before I delve into the delightful details of this chicken dish, I must address one thing. One of the main reasons I initially chose this particular recipe from the cookbook was the absolutely stunning photograph. The sauce in the book’s image appeared a beautiful shade of white, whereas mine turned out a wonderfully rich, golden brown. Naturally, I was fully prepared for a potential “fail,” thinking I might have missed a crucial step. However, I’m thrilled to report that it was unequivocally delicious! I suspect the cookbook photo simply benefited from some extra food styling, as the flavor and texture of my browner sauce were absolutely perfect. So, don’t be alarmed if your sauce develops a richer color – it’s a sign of a perfectly cooked, flavorful dish!
With that out of the way, let me tell you, I absolutely adored these skillet chicken thighs. The original recipe actually called for chicken breasts, but on my grocery run, I couldn’t find any bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts. Since I actually prefer the richer flavor and more forgiving nature of chicken thighs, I opted for those instead, and it was a fantastic decision. And please, don’t let the “thirteen spice” title intimidate you! The secret ingredient here is Old Bay Seasoning, which is a magical blend of 13 different spices. This means you get the incredible complexity and depth of flavor from thirteen spices with the convenience of using just one!
I did encounter two minor points with the original recipe that I’ve thoughtfully adapted for you here. First, I found the initial recipe to be a touch too salty for my taste, so I’ve completely removed the additional salt from the ingredient list provided below. The Old Bay Seasoning itself contains enough salt, ensuring a perfectly balanced flavor without being overpowering. Second, the original recipe suggested cooking chicken breasts for 15 to 20 minutes, but my chicken thighs weren’t quite done in that timeframe. As you’ll see in the adapted recipe below, I’ve adjusted the cooking time. This is also a perfect opportunity to emphasize the importance of having an instant-read thermometer on hand. It’s truly a game-changer for ensuring your chicken is cooked to perfection, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Thighs are generally more forgiving if slightly overcooked compared to breasts, which is another excellent reason to choose them for this delightful recipe.
Furthermore, I ended up using a full 8 ounces of crème fraîche instead of the 4 ounces specified in the original recipe. Mostly, this was because my family and I genuinely love a good, ample amount of sauce with our meals. But it was also a practical decision – I had an 8-ounce container open, and I certainly didn’t want the remaining 4 ounces to get lost in the fridge and go to waste. While 4 ounces will certainly be sufficient for a delicious outcome, feel free to indulge in a bit more if, like us, you prefer your chicken wonderfully saucy.
Ultimately, the finished dish was absolutely delicious and truly a triumph. The promise of easy prep and effortless cleanup was not an exaggeration; it was entirely accurate. In fact, I’m quite sure the cleanup took even less than 6 minutes. All it involved was discarding a single ziplock bag and washing one skillet. These Thirteen Spice Skillet Chicken Thighs with Crème Fraîche proved to be a resounding winning dinner that I’ll be making again and again!
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Thirteen Spice Skillet Chicken Thighs with Creme Fraiche
Deborah Harroun
6
35
41
3-4 servings
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup chicken stock
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 4 oz crème fraîche*
- 2 tablespoons chopped basil, plus more for serving
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then place them in a large ziplock bag. Add the Old Bay Seasoning and the black pepper. Seal the bag tightly and shake well to evenly coat the chicken with the spices.
- In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet set over medium-high heat, melt the unsalted butter with the vegetable oil. Once the butter is shimmering, carefully add the seasoned chicken thighs, skin side down. Cook for approximately 5 minutes, or until the skin is beautifully browned and crispy.
- Flip the chicken thighs over. Pour in the chicken stock and add the fresh lemon juice. Continue to cook, occasionally spooning the liquid over the chicken, until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken (avoiding the bone) registers 165°F (74°C). This usually takes about 20-30 minutes, depending on the thickness of your thighs.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken to a plate and loosely tent with foil to keep warm. Reduce the heat under the skillet to low. Stir in the crème fraîche and chopped basil into the pan drippings. Allow the sauce to gently heat through for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly until smooth and creamy. Return the cooked chicken thighs to the pan, spooning the luscious sauce generously over each piece. Garnish with additional fresh basil before serving.
Recipe Notes:
Adapted from The Quick Six Fix cookbook.
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Explore More Delicious Chicken Thigh Recipes:
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Georgia Peanut Fried Chicken – Not your typical fried chicken, this recipe features chicken thighs coated in a unique powdered peanut butter and flour mixture for an unforgettable crunch and flavor.
Sweet Asian Chicken with Pineapple Rice – Boneless chicken thighs glazed in a delectable Asian-inspired sauce, perfectly complemented by sweet pineapple rice.
Discover More Skillet Chicken Inspiration from Around the Web:
Crispy Skillet Chicken Thighs with Lemon Garlic Orzo from Gal on a Mission – A flavorful one-pan meal that combines crispy chicken with zesty orzo.
Vietnamese Caramel Chicken from Rasa Malaysia – Explore rich, savory-sweet caramel notes in this authentic Vietnamese chicken dish.
Sweet and Spicy Honey Dijon Glazed Chicken from Carlsbad Cravings – A delightful balance of sweet and heat in a vibrant chicken glaze.
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**Disclaimer:** A complimentary copy of “The Quick Six Fix” cookbook was provided by the publisher for review purposes. However, all opinions expressed in this article are entirely my own and reflect my genuine experience. This post also contains affiliate links. Should you choose to purchase an item through Amazon via these links, Taste and Tell may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps sustain Taste and Tell, and I sincerely appreciate it!