Description
Mississippi Mud Chicken is a flavorful baked chicken dish featuring bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs simmered in a rich, savory sauce made from beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, tomato paste, and brown sugar. This recipe combines a smoky paprika seasoning with a tangy, sweet sauce creating a comforting, hearty meal, perfect for a family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Sauce and Aromatics
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare it for baking the chicken later.
- Heat olive oil: Place a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil, allowing it to warm up.
- Season the chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry and season them generously with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika to infuse flavor.
- Brown the chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the hot skillet skin-side down and brown them thoroughly on both sides, approximately 5 minutes per side, then remove them from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same skillet, add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant, which takes about 3-4 minutes.
- Prepare the sauce: Stir in the tomato paste and brown sugar into the sautéed onion and garlic. Then add the Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and beef broth, stirring well. Allow the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes to develop the flavors and reduce slightly.
- Return chicken to skillet: Place the browned chicken thighs back into the skillet, spoon some of the sauce over them to coat evenly.
- Bake in the oven: Transfer the entire ovenproof skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through and tender.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the skillet from the oven, sprinkle fresh parsley on top if desired, and serve the Mississippi Mud Chicken hot with your choice of sides.
Notes
- Using an ovenproof skillet simplifies transferring from stovetop to oven without extra dishes.
- Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs provide the best flavor and juiciness for this recipe.
- Adjust the amount of Worcestershire and soy sauce to taste for saltiness preferences.
- Serve with steamed rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
