🍗 Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Mashed Potatoes, Herb Gravy & Roasted Carrots
Mediterranean-Style Comfort Classic
This Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Mashed Potatoes, Herb Gravy & Roasted Carrots recipe is the ultimate cozy Mediterranean-inspired meal. Crispy golden chicken thighs, creamy mashed potatoes, a fragrant herb gravy, and naturally sweet roasted carrots come together for a deeply satisfying, well-balanced dish—perfect for family dinners or relaxed weekends.
🕒 Prep & Cook Time
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Prep: 15 minutes
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Cook: 45 minutes
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Total: 1 hour
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Serves: 4
🧾 Ingredients
For the Chicken
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6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
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Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
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1 tsp paprika
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1 tsp dried oregano or thyme
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2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
For the Mashed Potatoes
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1 kg (2 lb) potatoes, peeled & cubed
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2 tbsp butter or olive oil
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½ cup warm milk (or unsweetened almond milk)
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Salt, to taste
For the Herb Gravy
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1 tbsp butter or olive oil
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1 tbsp all-purpose flour
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1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
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½ tsp dried rosemary
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½ tsp dried thyme
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Black pepper, to taste
For the Roasted Carrots
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500 g (1 lb) carrots, peeled & halved lengthwise
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1½ tbsp olive oil
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½ tsp dried thyme or oregano
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Salt & pepper, to taste
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Roast the Carrots
Preheat oven to 200°C / 400°F.
Toss carrots with olive oil, thyme, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking tray and roast for 25–30 minutes, turning once, until tender and lightly caramelized.
2️⃣ Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs
Pat chicken thighs dry and season with salt, pepper, paprika, and oregano.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken skin-side down and cook for 6–7 minutes until deeply golden and crispy. Flip and cook another 6–8 minutes until fully cooked (internal temp 75°C / 165°F). Remove and rest.
3️⃣ Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Boil potatoes in salted water until fork-tender. Drain well and mash with butter and warm milk until smooth. Season to taste and keep warm.
4️⃣ Herb Gravy
In the same skillet used for chicken, melt butter. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits. Add rosemary, thyme, and pepper. Simmer 3–4 minutes until thick and silky.
5️⃣ Serve
Plate mashed potatoes, top with chicken thighs, spoon herb gravy over, and serve with roasted carrots on the side.
🌿 Mediterranean Nutrition Notes
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Herb-forward flavors instead of heavy sauces
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Olive oil-based cooking for heart health
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Balanced meal with protein, vegetables, and satisfying carbs
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Comfort food made wholesome
❓ Q & A
Q: Can I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs?
A: Yes. Reduce cooking time by about 4–5 minutes and use a bit more olive oil for moisture.
Q: Can this be made ahead of time?
A: Yes. Prepare all components separately and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat gently.
Q: How do I keep chicken thighs juicy?
A: Start skin-side down, don’t overcrowd the pan, and let the chicken rest before serving.
Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: Absolutely. Use olive oil instead of butter and dairy-free milk for the potatoes.
Q: What other vegetables can I roast?
A: Brussels sprouts, parsnips, sweet potatoes, or zucchini work beautifully.
