Sesame Lemon Chicken

By á-379

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 8 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs, trimmed (2 to 2 1/2 pounds)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 romaine lettuce hearts, chopped (about 8 cups)
• 1 cucumber, chopped
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 2 cups lightly salted pita chips, crushed

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the broiler. Make the rub: Combine the sesame seeds, lemon zest, thyme, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a spice grinder; pulse until the seeds are slightly cracked. Season the chicken with salt and all but about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the rub. Set skin-side down on a broiler pan and broil, flipping the chicken and rotating the pan halfway through, until the chicken is golden and a meat thermometer registers 170 degrees F, 8 to 10 minutes per side.

Make the dressing: Mix 1 tablespoon of the reserved rub, the lemon juice, vinegar, and salt to taste in a bowl. Whisk in the olive oil.

When the chicken is done, whisk 1 tablespoon of the pan drippings into the dressing. Add the lettuce, cucumber, tomato and pita chips; season with salt and pepper and toss. Sprinkle the chicken with the remaining 1/2 tablespoon rub and serve with the salad.