Chicken Thighs with Figs and Thyme

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1) Preheat the oven to 410 degrees F. Spray a large cast-iron skillet with cooking spray and add a tablespoon of olive oil.

2) Trim the chicken thighs of excess fat and skin.  Liberally sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper.  Add the chicken to the skillet skin side up and place in the preheated oven.  Cook for 30 – 35 minutes until a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees F when inserted into the thickest part of a thigh and the skin is golden brown. Carefully remove the chicken from the pan and let it rest on a platter.  Cover with foil.

3) Place the hot skillet on the stovetop over low heat and add the shallots, garlic, vinegar, stock, and figs. Cook until the figs are warmed through and the liquid is reduced by one-third.  Scrape up any of the brown bits from the bottom of the skillet and mix into the stock.  Melt in the butter, add the thyme, and season with salt and pepper.  Plate the chicken with the figs and pour the sauce around the chicken (To keep that skin cripsy, serve the sauce around the chicken not on top of it).  Serve with your favorite sides like my Roasted Crispy Garlic Potatoes and Roasted Asparagus.

Before I walk you through preparing this very simple, but incredibly flavorful dish, I want to answer the most frequently asked questions I get about figs. I love them and use them whenever they are in season but I find that alot of people haven’t worked with them so, let me get those questions handled first.

Frequently asked questions and answers about figs

a

Are figs seasonal?

Yes, they are “very” seasonal. I say very because I have found the season to be very short and figs are not always found in every grocery store. I actually start looking and asking for them when I know it is fig season. There are typically two seasons but I usually find my figs locally here in California very late summer and in the fall (like right now). The actual two seasons can vary slightly depending on where you are in the US or in the world, so always ask at your local stores. The two seasons are:

1. Breba Crop: This is the first fig harvest of the year and typically occurs in late spring or early summer. The breba crop is usually smaller and less abundant than the main crop and I rarely find any figs during this time.
2. Main Crop: The main fig harvest typically takes place in late summer to early fall, depending on the climate where you live. These figs are the more abundant and widely available crop.

a

Are dates and figs the same thing?

No, dates and figs are not the same thing; they are two distinct types of fruits, each with its own unique characteristics and flavors.  I often get asked what’s the difference between figs and dates.

Dates:

• Dates are the fruit of the date palm tree.
• They are typically elongated and have a wrinkled, brownish or reddish-brown skin.
• Dates are sweet, with a chewy, sticky texture.
• Dates are commonly grown in regions with hot and arid climates, such as the Middle East, North Africa, and some parts of California.

Figs:

• Figs, on the other hand, are the fruit of the fig tree.
• Figs are generally pear-shaped or round, and they have a smooth, thin skin that can range in color from green to purple or brown, and that depends on the variety.
• Figs have a unique, sweet flavor and the interior contains small, edible seeds.  (You remember Fig Newton cookies, don’t you?)
• Fig trees are cultivated in various parts of the world with suitable climates, including the Mediterranean, California, and some parts of Asia.

In conclusion, figs are not dates and I wouldn’t try to subsititue one for another in a recipe.

a

Are figs expensive?

In comparison to other seasonal fruits, they can be pricey. Again, it depends where you live and the availability. You can usually puchase them in small 8 oz. size containers and I’ve seen prices of $3.99 to $4.99 at the time of this writing. Because they are exquisite and just so unique, I always think they are well worth the investment.

a

Are figs perishable?

HIGHLY. They really need to be bought and eaten right away. I find they won’t last more that a day or two. They are more perishable than berries so buy them and use them. Same day is best.

a

Can figs be frozen?

Yes. Treat them like berries. Wash and dry them. Trim off the stem end. Cut in half (or the desired size you want), place on a baking sheet and seperate the pieces. Put in the freezer for several hours until frozen. Transfer to freezer ziplock bags, date and label and keep stored in the freezer until ready to use.

a

Can you substitute dried figs for fresh figs?

While you can, I find that they work better in some recipes more than others.  If you can, use what the recipe calls for.  On the other hand, you can experiment.  But, here are some basic guidelines that might help you decide if you want to make the substitution.

1. Texture: Dried figs have a different texture than fresh figs. They are chewy and dense, whereas fresh figs are soft and juicy. If the texture is important to your recipe, I’d soak the dried figs in warm water or a flavorful liquid (such as juice, stock, wine, or brandy) for about 30 minutes to rehydrate them before using. This will help them become plumper and closer in texture to fresh figs.
2. Quantity: When substituting dried figs for fresh figs, you’ll need to adjust the quantity. Dried figs are more concentrated in flavor and sweetness than fresh figs. As a general guideline, you can use approximately 2/3 to 3/4 cup of dried figs for every cup of fresh figs called for in the recipe.
3. Sweetness: Dried figs are sweeter than fresh figs due to the concentration of sugars.  (Think raisins vs. grapes.) You may need to reduce the amount of added sugar or sweeteners in your recipe when using dried figs.
4. Liquid: If you’ve rehydrated the dried figs, the soaking liquid can add flavor to your dish – something to think about if you need moisture when baking or roasting veggies, etc.
5. Flavor: Dried figs have a more intense and concentrated fig flavor.  You decide if figs should be the predominant flavor in your recipe.

Recipes that work well with dried figs include baked goods (such as muffins, cakes, and bread), jams, chutneys, and certain savory dishes like stews and even this recipe (although, I have not tested it in this recipe). However, for recipes where the fresh fig’s unique texture and juiciness are important and the focus, such as in salads or on tarts,  dried figs may not be the best choice as a substitute.  I’d definitely use my judgement and certainly experiment.

How to cook the chicken thighs

Now, to get started on this dish, prehat the oven to 410 degrees F. Place a large cast iron skillet on the stove over medium-high heat. Spray it with cooking spray first, then add a tablespoon of olive oil. Let it get real hot but not smoking.

Pat your chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Remove excess fat and skin. Liberally salt and pepper all sides of the chicken and place skin side up in the skillet.

Place in the oven and cook for about 30 – 35 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. The temperature should be 165 degrees F. when a thermometer is inserted into the thickest part of the thigh. Just note, cooking times can vary widely depending on your oven, so use the thermometer to be safe. No one wants to eat raw chicken. The good news? Chicken thighs are very forgiving and are very hard to overcook. Remove the skillet from the oven. Place the chicken on a plate and cover with foil.

Place the skillet on the stove over low heat.

How to make the fig and thyme sauce

Add to the skillet the shallots, garlic, vinegar, stock and figs. Cook until the figs are warmed through and the liquid is reduced by a third. Add the butter, thyme and a pinch of salt and pepper. Taste. Adjust seasoning if needed.

Note: If you were using dried figs, I’d have them soaking in the stock for 30 minutes before making this sauce. That would plump them up and infuse the stock with fig flavor. Then, I’d just add the liquid and hydrated figs to the skillet.

How to plate the dish

Place one or two chicken thighs on each plate. Depending on the size, one to two should be plenty per person. Spoon the figs and sauce AROUND the chicken (not on top of it). This will allow the chicken skin to stay crispy. This would be great served over a bed of rice or with a side of roast veggies and potatoes.

I hope you enjoy it. I love cooking with chicken thighs and just find them so flavorful. For other fast and easy chicken thigh recipes, try some of these:

Roasted Chicken Thighs with Sage, Mushrooms, Baby Potatoes, and Apples

Fried Dill Pickle Chicken Thighs

Plum Glazed Chicken Thighs

Panko Crusted Stuffed Chicken Thighs with Hot Honey

Sheet Pan Stuffed Chicken Thighs with Carrots and New Potatoes

Paso Gilroy Chicken

Chicken, Peaches & Cream