The first time I made fig-glazed skillet chicken, I couldn’t believe how easy it was to pull together such an impressive dish. Every element of the recipe, from the crispy skin on the chicken to the sweet-tangy fig glaze, creates something gourmet-worthy without the fuss.
The aroma of fresh rosemary, garlic, and butter fills the kitchen as the chicken roasts beautifully in a cast-iron skillet. When you drizzle the luscious fig glaze over the golden brown chicken, a magical transformation happens.
This dish isn’t just delicious; it’s a showstopper. I love serving it for family dinners or even when hosting guests because everyone is always blown away by the flavors.
The best part? It’s made with simple pantry staples and comes together in one pan. Trust me, this recipe will quickly become your secret weapon for any occasion. 🍗🌿✨
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
There’s a lot to adore about fig glazed skillet chicken. It’s packed with flavor, all while being simple and approachable.
Simple Yet Elegant
This recipe proves that you don’t need complicated techniques to deliver big flavor. You’ll only spend 15 minutes prepping, but the result looks and tastes like it came from a fine dining restaurant.
Bursting with Flavor
The combination of garlic, rosemary, and fig preserves creates an herby, sweet, and tangy glaze. It perfectly complements the crispy, golden chicken. Every bite is full of bold, balanced flavors.
One Pan Wonder
With everything cooked in a single skillet, cleanup is a breeze. You’ll love how everything, from searing to roasting, stays in one pan, making your kitchen time efficient and mess-free.
Perfect for Any Occasion
Whether it’s a midweek dinner or a celebratory meal, this dish works for everything. Pair it with your favorite sides, and it’s sure to impress any crowd.
Easy to Customize
From swapping chicken cuts to experimenting with different herbs, this recipe is versatile enough to fit your preferences. Plus, dietary tweaks like low-sodium versions make it adaptable for everyone.
Cooking Time
Here’s how long this recipe will take to come together:
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
You’ll need just a handful of simple ingredients to create this flavorful dish:
- Butter
- Garlic
- Fresh Rosemary
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Chicken (thighs and drumsticks, bone-in and skin-on)
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Fig Preserves
Variations
Make the recipe your own with these ingredient swaps and useful tools!
Ingredient Swaps
- Switch out fresh rosemary with thyme or dried rosemary if that’s what you have on hand.
- Use boneless chicken thighs or breasts instead of bone-in pieces.
- For a deeper flavor, add a splash of red wine vinegar to the glaze.
Equipment Needed
- Cast Iron Skillet: Essential for even cooking and crisping the chicken.
- Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining the butter and herbs.
- Basting Brush: Makes glazing the chicken easier and neater.
- Meat Thermometer: Ensures your chicken is perfectly cooked at 165°F.
How to Make Fig Glazed Skillet Chicken?
Follow these simple steps to make this vibrant, tasty dish that’s sure to impress.
Step 1: Prepare the Herb Butter
Combine softened butter with minced garlic, chopped rosemary, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Mix until the ingredients are evenly blended. This mixture will infuse the chicken with rich, herby flavor while it roasts.
Step 2: Coat the Chicken
Rub the butter mixture generously over the chicken thighs and drumsticks. Make sure every piece is evenly coated, including under the skin, for maximum flavor. Place the chicken in a cast iron skillet, arranging the pieces in a single layer. 🧈🧄🍗
Step 3: Roast the Chicken
Place the skillet in a preheated oven at 425°F. Allow the chicken to roast, skin-side up, for about 15-20 minutes. The high heat crisps up the skin beautifully while keeping the meat juicy inside.
Step 4: Prepare the Fig Glaze
While the chicken roasts, whisk together balsamic vinegar, fig preserves, and the remaining garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper in a bowl. This glaze achieves the perfect sweet-to-tangy balance that elevates the dish. 🥄🌿🍇
Step 5: Glaze and Finish
Take the chicken out of the oven and brush it generously with the fig glaze. Return it to the oven for another 10 minutes, basting it every few minutes with more glaze until the chicken is fully cooked and caramelized.
Step 6: Serve and Garnish
Pull the skillet out of the oven and give the chicken a final drizzle of the glaze. Serve with fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish, and enjoy the satisfied faces around the dinner table! 🍴✨
Tips for Making the Recipe
A few simple tricks can make all the difference, and follow these tips to ensure a smooth and delicious cooking experience.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh rosemary and garlic make a huge difference in flavor. They’ll bring out the natural richness of the chicken and glaze.
- Don’t Skip Basting: Re-glazing the chicken while it cooks creates that luscious, caramelized coating. This is key to getting the sticky, flavorful finish you want.
- Check the Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. This ensures it’s cooked through without overdoing it.
- Balance the Sweetness: For those who prefer less sweetness, you can reduce the amount of fig preserves or add a splash of lemon juice for extra brightness.
How to Serve Fig Glazed Skillet Chicken?
Here are some serving suggestions to make this dish even more amazing.
- Plate it with roasted potatoes or mashed cauliflower for a comforting, hearty meal.
- Add a side of roasted green beans or Brussels sprouts for a pop of color and freshness.
- Drizzle any extra glaze over the sides for added flavor.
Nutritional Information
Each serving of this dish is deliciously satisfying, and here’s what you can expect nutritionally:
- Calories: 378
- Protein: 19g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fat: 17g
Make Ahead and Storage
This dish is ideal for prepping ahead or saving leftovers.
Make Ahead
Prepare the herb butter and glaze in advance, storing each in airtight containers. When you’re ready to cook, you can quickly coat the chicken and roast it fresh for the best results.
Storage
Cool the chicken completely before storing. Place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to maintain the crispy texture and reapply any leftover glaze for extra flavor.
Fig glazed skillet chicken is a true show-stopper that’s both simple to make and unforgettable. Whether you’re looking for a quick weekday meal or a dish to impress guests, this recipe delivers every time. Once you try it, it’ll quickly become part of your regular rotation. Give it a go, and enjoy every flavorful bite! 🌟🍗🍷
Fig Glazed Skillet Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- Butter
- Garlic
- Fresh Rosemary
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Chicken thighs and drumsticks, bone-in and skin-on
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Fig Preserves
Instructions
- Combine softened butter with minced garlic, chopped rosemary, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Mix until the ingredients are evenly blended. This mixture will infuse the chicken with rich, herby flavor while it roasts.
- Rub the butter mixture generously over the chicken thighs and drumsticks. Make sure every piece is evenly coated, including under the skin, for maximum flavor. Place the chicken in a cast iron skillet, arranging the pieces in a single layer. 🧈🧄🍗
- Place the skillet in a preheated oven at 425°F. Allow the chicken to roast, skin-side up, for about 15-20 minutes. The high heat crisps up the skin beautifully while keeping the meat juicy inside.
- While the chicken roasts, whisk together balsamic vinegar, fig preserves, and the remaining garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper in a bowl. This glaze achieves the perfect sweet-to-tangy balance that elevates the dish. 🥄🌿🍇
- Take the chicken out of the oven and brush it generously with the fig glaze. Return it to the oven for another 10 minutes, basting it every few minutes with more glaze until the chicken is fully cooked and caramelized.
- Pull the skillet out of the oven and give the chicken a final drizzle of the glaze. Serve with fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish, and enjoy the satisfied faces around the dinner table! 🍴✨
Notes
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh rosemary and garlic make a huge difference in flavor. They’ll bring out the natural richness of the chicken and glaze.
- Don’t Skip Basting: Re-glazing the chicken while it cooks creates that luscious, caramelized coating. This is key to getting the sticky, flavorful finish you want.
- Check the Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. This ensures it’s cooked through without overdoing it.
- Balance the Sweetness: For those who prefer less sweetness, you can reduce the amount of fig preserves or add a splash of lemon juice for extra brightness.
