Rick Stein’s Garlic Chicken Traybake: A Quick and Delicious Dinner Option

Renowned chef Rick Stein has unveiled a simple yet delectable recipe for garlic and lemon chicken traybake, perfect for those seeking a hassle-free dinner solution. Featured in his book "Simple Suppers," the dish requires just 10 minutes of preparation time and bakes in the oven for 35 to 40 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights. Stein attributes his inspiration for the recipe to Lulu Bonneville, the wife of actor Hugh Bonneville, highlighting its personal significance. The recipe calls for 12 chicken thighs, skin-on and bone-in, along with a medley of vegetables including courgettes, fennel bulbs, and potatoes. To prepare, cooks must first dice garlic and chop the vegetables into hearty chunks. A flavorful mixture of lemon juice, minced garlic, thyme, and olive oil is then created, which serves as the base for seasoning both the vegetables and the chicken. In a large roasting tin, the chopped vegetables are arranged and coated with two-thirds of the garlic-lemon mixture, seasoned with salt and pepper. The chicken thighs are placed on top, skin side up, and the remaining mixture is poured over them, followed by additional seasoning. The traybake is then placed in the oven, where it transforms into a crispy, golden dish, with tender vegetables underneath, embodying Stein's description of the meal as “magic and delicious.”