Showing Up for Myself (Garlic Herb Chicken)

There was a time when even cooking something as simple as garlic herb chicken felt like too much.

Not because I didn’t know how. Not because I didn’t want to eat well. I just didn’t have the energy for the process.

Cleaning the chicken. Seasoning it. Letting it marinate. Standing over the stove after an already long day felt exhausting.

So, I chose convenience.

I lived on “girl dinners” and I ate out a lot. My credit card statements and DoorDash history could tell that story better than I can.

Some nights, I ordered food because I was tired. Other nights, because I was overwhelmed. Sometimes, simply because taking care of myself felt harder than it should have.

Healing in the Ordinary Moments

These days, I still choose convenience sometimes.

Now, I live off Trader Joe’s sous vide chicken thighs more often than I care to admit.

And honestly, I’m okay with that.

Healing has not looked like perfection for me. For me, it has looked like making better choices where I can. It has meant creating systems that make nourishment easier. And it has required learning that caring for myself does not always have to be hard to count.

Still, there is something about making garlic herb chicken from scratch that feels different.

The sound of chicken hitting a hot pan. Butter melting into olive oil. Garlic and herbs filling the kitchen.

Moments like that remind me that I am capable of showing up for myself in small but meaningful ways.

In this season, healing has not always been found in big breakthroughs. Sometimes it has looked like prayer whispered over a cutting board. Choosing to cook a meal instead of placing another order. Or simply trying again the next day.

And somewhere in the middle of cooking, praying, and trying again, I believe God has been restoring me in the ordinary moments.

This garlic herb chicken is simple. It is dependable.  It is not flashy. But maybe that is the point.

Sometimes taking care of yourself looks less like grand gestures and more like preparing the chicken anyway.

From Feeding Myself to Feeding Others

The first time I made this garlic herb chicken from scratch, I paired it with my creamy mushroom risotto and a decadent pistachio cheesecake for my very first time hosting in my home during my separation.

That dinner meant more than just sharing a meal.

It was a marker.

A reminder that healing had brought me far enough to create space for joy, connection, and community again.

Later, I made another version of this garlic herb chicken for one of my group dinners, surrounded by laughter, conversation, and people I care about.

Somewhere between learning to feed myself and learning to host others, I realized something:

God was restoring more than my appetite.

He was restoring my joy.

If you’re in a season of rebuilding, you may find it helpful to read Reclaiming My Joy and what that journey has looked like for me.

And if you’re building your own dinner menu, this garlic herb chicken pairs perfectly with my creamy mushroom risotto and pistachio cheesecake.

Garlic Herb Chicken Recipe

This garlic herb chicken is crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and packed with flavor from fresh herbs, garlic, and a simple marinade. Whether you are cooking for yourself or serving guests, this garlic herb chicken is a dependable recipe that feels comforting, elegant, and nourishing.

Ingredients for Garlic Herb Chicken

For the Chicken

• 4–6 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken
  (thighs, drumsticks, or a mix)
• 1–2 tablespoons brown rice flour
  (for a light crispy coating)
• 2 tablespoons canola oil or vegetable oil
  (for pan searing)

Optional Marinade

These measurements are a guide, not a rule. Adjust the seasoning generously and taste as you go. Around here, we season with grace. If you choose not to use the marinade, simply season the chicken with these ingredients.

• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
• 1 teaspoon browning seasoning
• 1 teaspoon onion powder

For Baking

• 1–2 cups chicken broth

OR

• 1–2 cups water mixed with Better Than Bouillon chicken base and sautéed onion flavor
• Extra fresh rosemary
• Extra fresh thyme
• Extra garlic cloves

How to Make Garlic Herb Chicken

Step 1: Clean the Chicken

Wash and clean the chicken according to your preference. Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.

Dry skin helps create that crispy texture when searing.

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken

In a large bowl or zip-top bag, combine all marinade ingredients.

Add the chicken and coat evenly.

Cover and refrigerate overnight if possible, or for at least 2–4 hours.

This step deepens the flavor of the garlic herb chicken.

Step 3: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 425°F.

Prepare a roasting pan or baking dish by adding chicken broth to the bottom.

You can also add extra rosemary, thyme, and garlic to the pan for more flavor.

Step 4: Coat and Sear the Chicken

Lightly coat each piece of chicken with brown rice flour.

Heat canola or vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.

Pan sear the chicken for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown.

This step locks in flavor and creates a crispy skin.

Step 5: Bake the Garlic Herb Chicken

Transfer the seared chicken to the roasting pan.

Bake uncovered until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken pieces, but usually takes 25–40 minutes.

While baking, occasionally baste the chicken with the broth in the pan to keep it moist.

How to Make Gravy from the Pan Drippings

One of the best parts of this garlic herb chicken recipe is the flavorful pan juices.

To make a quick gravy:

1. Strain the juices from the roasting pan into a saucepan.
2. Heat gently over medium heat.
3. Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water to create a slurry.
4. Slowly whisk the slurry into the juices until thickened.

Tips for the Best Garlic Herb Chicken

• Use skin-on chicken for the crispiest texture.
• Pat the chicken dry before searing.
• Do not skip the sear. It builds flavor and texture.
• Baste often while baking for juicy chicken.
• Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking.
• Measure with your heart. Season until it feels right.

What to Serve with Garlic Herb Chicken

This garlic herb chicken pairs beautifully with:

• Mushroom risotto
• Roasted vegetables
• Mashed potatoes
• Rosemary & leek roasted potatoes
• Pistachio cheesecake for dessert

Final Thoughts on This Garlic Herb Chicken

This garlic herb chicken is more than just a recipe. It is a reminder that good things require nurturing, and that taking the time can lead to something deeply rewarding.

If cooking has become a way you’re learning to be present again, to gather, to heal, or to simply care for yourself, I’d love to stay connected. You can subscribe to Grace Notes, my newsletter, where I share reflections on food, faith, and becoming, sent gently and not urgently.

Learning to Show Up for Myself Again (Garlic Herb Chicken)

Recipe by TenishaCourse: Dinner, Lunch, RecipesCuisine: American, Italian, FrenchDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Ingredients

• 4–6 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken (thighs, drumsticks, or a mix)

• 1–2 tablespoons brown rice flour

• 2 tablespoons canola oil or vegetable oil

• Optional Marinade

• These measurements are a guide, not a rule. Adjust the seasoning generously and taste as you go. Around here, we season with grace.

• ¼ cup olive oil

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped

• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped

• 1 teaspoon browning seasoning

• 1 teaspoon onion powder

• For Baking

• 1–2 cups chicken broth

• OR

• 1–2 cups water mixed with Better Than Bouillon chicken base and sautéed onion flavor

• Extra fresh rosemary

• Extra fresh thyme

• Extra garlic cloves

Directions

• Step 1: Clean the Chicken
• Wash and clean the chicken according to your preference. Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels. Dry skin helps create that crispy texture when searing.
• Step 2: Marinate the Chicken
• In a large bowl or zip-top bag, combine all marinade ingredients. Add the chicken and coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate overnight if possible, or for at least 2–4 hours.
• Step 3: Preheat the Oven
• Preheat your oven to 425°F.
• Prepare a roasting pan or baking dish by adding chicken broth to the bottom. You can also add extra rosemary, thyme, and garlic to the pan for more flavor.
• Step 4: Coat and Sear the Chicken
• Lightly coat each piece of chicken with brown rice flour.
• Heat canola or vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
• Pan sear the chicken for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown.
• Step 5: Bake the Garlic Herb Chicken
• Transfer the seared chicken to the roasting pan.
• Bake uncovered until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken pieces, but usually takes 25–40 minutes.
• While baking, occasionally baste the chicken with the broth in the pan to keep it moist.
• How to Make Gravy from the Pan Drippings
• To make a quick gravy:
• Strain the juices from the roasting pan into a saucepan.
• Heat gently over medium heat.
• Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water to create a slurry.
• Slowly whisk the slurry into the juices until thickened.