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Quick and Easy Slow Roasted Chicken Thighs

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Slow roasted chicken thighs, baked in the oven, are one of my families favorite meals. These baked chicken thighs are crispy on the outside and moist and tender on the inside. I prefer to slow roast bone-in, skin-on thighs for maximum flavor. This is a quick and easy recipe to prepare and has become one of our regular Sunday meals; but is easy enough for a weekday too.Quick and Easy Slow Roasted Chicken Thighs

Quick and Easy Slow Roasted Chicken Thighs

The great thing about doing a slow roasted chicken thigh is that this cut is usually less expensive than a boneless chicken breast. You can make this on Sunday and have leftovers for a few lunches too. I like to use the leftover baked chicken to make salads for my weekday lunches.

The preparation of these roasted chicken thighs are quick and easy but you will need about 75 – 90 minutes for cooking. But while they are baking you are going to be hands-off so you won’t have to babysit these.

Your chicken thighs will pair great with some Instant Pot Brussels Sprouts too – they’ll cook in 3 minutes! Or if you have the time for something a bit more try my baked Spaghetti Squash Au Gratin or All Natural Mac ‘n Cheese.

Why I Love Bone-In Chicken

I rarely, if ever cook boneless chicken. Bone-in varieties, especially thighs, have a much richer flavor and are always juicy. I can’t stand a thick, dry, flavorless chicken breast. You can really use this slow roasted chicken recipe with any cut of bone-in chicken. We love with legs too.  But I tend to buy thighs for all my baked chicken recipes; they are tasty and affordable. If you do use this recipe with a bone-in breast you will need to adjust the cooking time and make sure you have an internal temp of 165 before you take them out.

One note, if you are not raising your own chicken you should consider getting pastured raised for the best quality and nutrition.

I Prefer Slow Roasted Chicken Over Frying!

I almost never fry chicken anymore. I can slow roast or bake these thighs for the crispiest skin, full of flavor and I don’t have to stand over a hot stove for an hour. I don’t need breading to make chicken taste better – the skin is the best part! Feel free to change up the spices to suit your family’s particular tastes. While this is the most popular, at our house, I can get crazy with spices just to experiment.

Slow Roast Chicken Thighs – Great for Leftovers

Make extra because these slow roasted chicken thighs are great for leftovers. I love to chop them up on a big green salad or shred them with mayo, celery and walnuts for a quick sandwich spread. I have also been known to eat them right out of the fridge, cold.  They really are delicious. My friend Linda has a great post on 5 Meals You Can Make With a Roast Chicken – another option for these roasted thighs!

A Few Tips for Roasting Chicken

  • Always pat your skin dry – water is the enemy of a good roast.
  • Low temps first, then raise it up to get that beautiful and delicious crispy skin. This will lock in the juices too!
  • Use a raised sided roasting pan or baking sheet because there will be drippings. Or even better, use your large cast iron skillet.
Quick and Easy Slow Roasted Chicken Thighs
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Quick and Easy Slow Roasted Chicken Thighs


Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings 10

Ingredients

  • 10 - 12 Bone-in Skin-On Chicken Thighs
  • 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil Melted coconut oil is great too
  • 2 Teaspoons Sea Salt
  • 2 Teaspoons Black Pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder See notes on how to make your own!
  • 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning Mix or a chicken seasoning mix
  • 1 - 2 Teaspoons of Paprika

Instructions

  1. Pre-Heat Your Oven to 300 degrees F
  2. In a small bowl mix your dry spices together.
  3. Rinse your thighs and pat dry.
  4. In a bowl gently toss your thighs in the olive oil or melted coconut oil until well coated.
  5. Arrange the thighs in a roasting or baking pan in a single layer, skin side up (it is ok if they are touching).
  6. *For easier clean-up, line your pan with some parchment paper*
  7. Sprinkle the dry spices over your chicken thighs, add more if necessary.
  8. Put your pan on the middle rack in the pre-heated oven.
  9. Slow roast at 300 degrees F for 45 minutes.
  10. After 45 minutes raise your oven temperature to 425 degrees F.
  11. Bake an additional 30 - 45 minutes, until the skin is a deep golden brown.
  12. Remove the roasted chicken thighs from the oven and allow them to rest for about 5 minutes.
  13. Serve hot with your favorite veggie or salad.

Recipe Notes

Make your own garlic powder - recipe and instructions here!

The Best Southern Ham and Beans Recipe

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This is the best Southern Ham and Beans Recipe, hands down; it came right from my grandma! Southern ham and beans was one of my favorite meals growing up…even though I’m from Arizona.  My dad’s mother was southern, through and through, and she made a mean pot of Southern Ham and Beans.  Not only did she share her wonderful recipes with me, she often told me the struggles that she saw growing up; what poor families faced just too feed themselves. My grandma knew how to stretch a buck and still make a tasty meal.

This easy recipe is delicious, feeds a lot of people and will be easy on your budget. Nothing says it is fall to me, more than a big bowl of my grandma’s ham and beans!

Southern Ham and Beans Recipe

The Best Southern Ham and Beans Recipe

Eating on a budget doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flavor! The ingredients for this Southern ham an beans recipe are very simple and inexpensive but a full of flavor and smell amazing when cooking (you might have to fight off your neighbors!). You can also make extra and freeze it up for later.

Not sure what to serve with your Southern Ham and Beans? I suggest warm sweet cornbread muffins topped a little honey butter; I’ve included those recipes for you as well.

The best part about this delicious budget-friendly ham and beans recipe? This dish actually tastes better the 2nd day!

Note: You will need a large stock pot for this recipe (I like this one) or make it in your crock pot. If you have a big crowd, this recipe is easily doubled so everyone can enjoy it!

My husband likes a few shakes of hot sauce in his, so you might want to put that out on the table.

What meals do you serve that are budget friendly? Be sure to check out my post on Great Depression Meals for other budget recipes from the past. Also check out Easy Bean Recipes That Will Save You Money.

Southern Ham and Beans Recipe
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My Grandma's Best Southern Ham and Beans Recipe

This is a delicious budget-friendly meal. And if you have a big crowd, this recipe is easily doubled so everyone can enjoy it!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Servings 8

Ingredients

  • 1 lbs of dry pinto beans or whatever bean you prefer
  • 4 or 5 smoked ham hocks or use diced leftover ham, about 1/2 - 3/4 lbs should do it
  • 1 large yellow onion chopped
  • 2 – 3 teaspoons of black pepper
  • 1 bay leaf optional
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Wash the beans (you don’t have to soak them overnight with this method)
  2. Put the beans, ham hocks, chopped onion, pepper and bay leaf in a large stock pot and cover with water.
  3. Bring to boil and then turn down to a low simmer.
  4. Cover and let simmer low for several hours.
  5. Stir and check often – you may need to add a bit more water, but only enough to keep everything covered
  6. Beans will be tender and the sauce will thicken up.
  7. Break up the meat into the beans and serve in a bowl with warm corn bread.

 

Sweet Cornbread Muffins Recipe
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Grandma's Sweet & Crispy Southern Cornbread Muffins

A delicious Southern cornbread that is crispy on the top and sweet and moist on the inside.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 8

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Self-Rising Cornmeal Mix
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons Coconut Oil
  • 2 tablespoons sugar optional
  • 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
  • Extra oil or butter to grease your pan if not using cups

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400° F.
  2. Grease your pan or put paper liners in.
  3. Combine all ingredients in a medium size bowl.
  4. Pour into a greased muffin pan, each opening should be filled about 3/4 of the way
  5. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until muffin tops are a rich golden brown
Raw Honey Butter
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Quick and Easy Homemade Raw Honey Butter

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 12

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup of softened butter
  • 1/4 cup of raw honey

Instructions

  1. In small bowl use a hand mixer to combine the softened butter with the raw honey.
  2. Store in air-tight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Homemade Taco Seasoning

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Homemade taco seasoning is easy to make and all natural, unlike the store-bought envelopes. Why buy a packet of stuff that you can’t pronounce or fillers you don’t need, when you can make your own homemade taco seasoning? Our family LOVES tacos, tostadas, fajitas…well you get the idea. I used to buy pre-made mixes but this stuff, if I do say so myself, is way better! Check your ingredients the next time you think about buying the pre-made mixes, you’ll be surprised what’s actually in there.

homemade taco seasoning

This will take a a few minutes to throw together and you’ll have several meal’s worth ready to go. FYI – I don’t just use this for taco meat…but more about that later. I like to make it in bulk and store my homemade taco seasoning in a mason jar. Do you know that you can even get tops for shaking spices out that will fit your mason jars I love them! Get your Ball Herb Shakers here.  These shaker tops all me to make several of my mixes, like this taco seasoning, in quantity and store in my pantry. Be sure to see my recipes for Yummy Spice Rubs too!

I hope you enjoy this DIY Taco Seasoning as much as we do…time for a taco Tuesday, right?

 

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Ingredients diy taco seasoning

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Keto Breakfast Bites Perfect On the Run Meal

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Keto breakfast bites are practically perfect and a great meal for busy mornings or on the run! I know many of you work outside jobs, have kiddos and a ton going on in the morning;so you can meal prep these Keto breakfast bites ahead of time and reheat as needed. You can even freeze these babies for later. We have been eating Keto since my weight loss surgery last August. But I guarantee you’ll like these even if you aren’t eating a low carb / high fat diet. These breakfast bites are gluten free too so my celiac friends will be able to enjoy them too.

My husband and I both found that these tasted very close to the sausage balls I used to make with baking mix…back in the day. 

Keto Breakfast Bites - low carb, gluten free with sausage

I made these Keto breakfast bites with sausage but you can sub pretty much any meat you and your family prefer. It may change the nutritional value a bit (I’ve included the one for this below). You can use My Fitness Pal to calculate your macros if you change up the meats.  Also feel free to use whatever shredded cheese you have on hand.

Keto Breakfast Bites Perfect On the Run Meal

Why Are You Eating Keto?


That’s a fair question. We had been eating a more gluten-free / Paleo way of eating for years. Unfortunately my weight stayed high because I still gravitated to high carb foods and meals. After having the vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) I was advised to lead with protein and I started to just naturally gravitate to a more Keto way of eating. I saw HUGE differences in my health and in the health of my husband and 2 girls still at home. I have the blood work of a teenager! I highly recommend doing some research of your own on the Keto life and eating. Some of my favorite resources are Simply Keto and The Keto Reset Diet. If you like to watch informational YouTube videos you should check out Dr. Ken Berry’s channel for lots of information.

We eat a whole food, humanely raised (even if we don’t do it ourselves), organic Keto diet. I try to steer clear of fake / processed foods, especially chemical sweeteners.

But You Do Not Have to be Keto To Enjoy This Recipe!

My 12 year old is not strictly Keto and she LOVES these!

To make these you’ll need a mini muffin pan. I used this pan from Wilton because I prefer not to cook with silicon – but use what you have. I greased my mini muffin pan with olive oil spray but you can use liners if you prefer. Ok, lets get to the cooking!

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Keto Low Carb Breakfast Bites (Muffins)


Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 24

Ingredients

  • 16 oz of sugar-free pork sausage cooked
  • 3 tablespoons of melted butter
  • 9 tablespoons of blanched almond flour
  • 1.5 teaspoons of baking powder
  • 8 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons of sour cream
  • 3 oz shredded cheese I used a Mexican Style Blend for these
  • Seasoning to your taste I don't find it needs anything really

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees
  2. Grease your mini muffin pan
  3. Cook your sausage and set aside to cool a bit (I do not drain it when I make it)
  4. Melt your butter and let it cool while you're mixing the other ingredients
  5. In a large mixing bowl combine your almond flour, baking powder, eggs, sour cream and shredded cheese
  6. Mix well then add your melted butter
  7. Once the butter is mixed in, add your cooked sausage and mix again
  8. Use the Keto breakfast bite batter to fill up your mini muffin pan, I filled them about 90% up and was able to get 29 total muffins
  9. Bake for 10 - 15 minutes until the muffins have risen, set and are golden brown on the top
  10. Pop them out and enjoy or pack some up for the refrigerator and heat up as needed.

 Keto Breakfast Bites - low carb, gluten free with sausage

 

I’ve never been able to keep these around for more than a day or two because they are a great snack as well as a breakfast. I love the topped with some hot sauce or a little salsa.  Enjoy!

Keto Breakfast Bites Perfect On the Run Meal

Easy To Make Slow Cooker Apple Butter Recipe

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Slow cooker apple butter is about the best thing you’ll spread on a piece of toast…ever. It tastes like a bite of fall in your mouth! If fall had a flavor…it would be apple butter. But don’t just eat this lovely apple butter recipe in the fall, it is good all year long! The best thing is this easy to make slow cooker apple butter recipe is to die for; and will cook while you’re getting work or gardening done. 😉
Easy To Make Slow Cooker Apple Butter Recipe

Easy To Make Slow Cooker Apple Butter Recipe

I know the Instant Pot is the shiny new toy in most kitchens but you can’t go wrong with your crock pot or slow cooker. This apple butter recipe is tried and true from your slow cooker and I’ve never met anyone who didn’t love it (and ask for seconds). Simple ingredients that make the flavor of the apples the star – so let’s get cooking….

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