Who doesn’t love a good grilled chicken? The blissful simplicity of a dish that can be whipped up in under an hour and always goes down well, makes midweek dinners hassle-free.
Once you discover the incredible flavors of Herbes De Provence seasoning, prepare to be completely blown away by how this simple combination of herbs can transform even the most mundane dish into a taste sensation.
One of the most praised Herbes De Provence recipes at the time is the humble grilled chicken. The delicious flavors take a chicken to a whole new level, and the perfectly moist and tender meat is sure to wow at any dinner table.
What is Herbes de Provence?
Herbes De Provence is a mixture of dried herbs and seasoning that originated in the Provence region of South-Eastern France (let’s face it, all the best flavors come from France!). Historically, the mixture could contain all sorts of fresh and dried herbs, and it wasn’t until the 1970s that it started to become recognized as a thing in its own right.
These days, you can pick up a jar of Herbes De Provence at most stores, but it’s also straightforward to make your own.
What’s in Herbes De Provence?
Traditionally, there was no set recipe for Herbes De Provence; it was just a combination of herbs used in Provencal cuisine. That said, there are a few flavors that tend to stand out in this seasoning, and these days are pretty universally believed to be “true” Herbes De Provence:
- Savory
- Marjoram
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Oregano
- Basil
In North America, it’s also common to see lavender being used in an Herbes De Provence mixture. This typically pays homage to the Provence fields of lavender and makes a beautiful addition to any dish.
Do I need to make Herbes De Provence at home?
You could genuinely enjoy making up your own Herbes De Provence mixtures. Playing around with different herbs and flavors is definitely a fun and creative thing to do, and the flexibility of this herby concoction provides plenty of opportunities to experiment.
That said, if you would rather skip this step, you can pick up a pre-mixed jar of Herbes De Provence at most grocery stores these days!
Herbes De Provence Grilled Chicken
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
For the Herbes De Provence Mixture:
- 1 tbsp dried lavender
- 3 tbsp dried rosemary
- 2 tsp dried onion flakes
- 1 tsp dried fennel
- 3 tbsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp coarse grey sea salt
- 1 tbsp oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
For the chicken:
- 4 boneless chicken breasts, skin-on
- ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
Method
- First, prepare your Herbes De Provence spice mixture by placing the lavender, rosemary, onion flakes, and fennel into a spice grinder and blitzing a few times until the herbs form a coarse, well-mixed texture.
- Pour the blitzed herbs into a small bowl, then add the thyme, sea salt, oregano, and basil. Stir to combine.
- Take 1 tbsp of the Herbes De Provence mixture and combine it with the olive oil in a separate bowl.
- Next, place your chicken breasts in a single layer on a griddle pan.
- Pour the Herbes De Provence/oil mixture over the chicken, then cover and leave to marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350’F.
- Uncover the chicken and bake for 25-30 minutes, basting several times during the cooking time. A meat thermometer will register 165’F, and juices will run clear when the meat is done.
- Serve immediately with your favorite side dishes.
Notes
Using skin-on chicken breasts is the secret to success in this grilled chicken recipe. The skin will get lovely and crispy in the oven and is essential for retaining all those delicious juices that flavor the chicken, keeping the meat tender and moist during the baking process. If you prefer your chicken without the skin, remove it after cooking but before serving.
One of the best top-tips for chicken is to cook by temperature, not by time. Invest in a meat thermometer for perfectly cooked chicken every time. When the meat thermometer reads 165’F in the center of the chicken, and the juices run clear when you pierce the meat with a knife, the chicken is done.
You won’t get enough of the sweet yet savory flavors of this Herbes De Provence grilled chicken, and this dish is going to be a common sight on your dinner table for a long time.