Golden Chicken Thighs with Charred-Lemon Salsa Verde

• 12 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
• 24 sage leaves
• 16 garlic cloves6 cut into 4 slices each, the rest gently smashed and peeled
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 12 slices
• Strips of zest from 2 lemons
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon chopped thyme
• 1 tablespoon chopped oregano
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• Kosher salt
• 12 fresh bay leaves (optional)
• 1 lemon, cut into 1/2-inch slices and seeded
• 1 tablespoon plus 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup chopped oregano
• 1/4 cup chopped mint
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 anchovy fillet
• 1/2 teaspoon chopped drained capers
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

1. Prepare the chicken Run your fingers under the skin of each chicken thigh to create a pocket.
2. Stuff each pocket with 2 sage leaves, 2 slices of garlic and 1 slice of butter.
3. Transfer the stuffed thighs to a large bowl.
4. In a small bowl, stir the lemon zest strips with the smashed garlic, olive oil, chopped herbs and crushed red pepper.
5. Pour the mixture over the chicken and turn to coat.
6. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
7. Meanwhile, make the salsa verde Preheat the oven to 450.
8. On a baking sheet, toss the lemon slices with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil.
9. Spread the lemon slices in an even layer and bake for 16 to 18 minutes, until charred on the bottom.
10. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool for 5 minutes.
11. Chop the slices into 1/4 -inch pieces.
12. Leave the oven on.
13. Meanwhile, make the salsa verde In a mortar, mash the oregano and mint with the chopped garlic, anchovy, capers and the 1 teaspoon of salt until a smooth paste forms.
14. Slowly drizzle in the remaining 1/2 cup of olive oil, stirring to create a sauce.
15. Stir in the chopped lemon.
16. Meanwhile, make the salsa verde Heat a very large ovenproof skillet.
17. Season the chicken thighs evenly with 4 teaspoons of salt; reserve the lemon zest and smashed garlic from the marinade.
18. Arrange the chicken thighs skin side down in the skillet and cover with another large skillet or pot weighted down with a few heavy cans.
19. Cook the chicken over moderate heat until the skin is golden brown and crisp, about 15 minutes.
20. Meanwhile, make the salsa verde Remove the weight and turn the chicken.
21. Scatter the reserved lemon zest and garlic and the bay leaves, if using, among the thighs.
22. Roast in the oven for about 30 minutes, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
23. Discard the bay leaves.
24. Transfer the chicken to a platter and serve with the salsa verde.

chicken, sage, garlic, unsalted butter, lemons, extravirgin olive oil, thyme, oregano, parsley, red pepper, kosher salt, bay leaves, lemon, extravirgin olive oil, oregano, mint, garlic, anchovy fillet, capers, kosher salt

Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/golden-chicken-thighs-charred-lemon-salsa-verde (may not work)