What's Giving Me Life

Crispy, golden chicken thighs, caramelized fennel and jammy slices of lemon all come together in one skillet for a dinner that feels special without requiring much work. The fennel and lemon cook down in the chicken fat while anchovies melt into the background, creating a savory, bright sauce that makes this one of my favorite ways to eat fennel. Yield: 4 chicken thighs Servings: 4 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 40 minutes Total Time: 55 minutes Ingredients 4 bone-in, skin-

This is one of those recipes I come back to again and again because it never disappoints. The trick is starting the chicken thighs skin-side down in a cold pan, then letting them come up to temperature with the skillet. It sounds backwards, but it gives you incredibly crisp, deeply golden skin every time. The chicken roasts alongside onion, garlic, and thyme, so you also end up with caramelized, jammy vegetables that are almost as good as the chicken itself. Servings: 4-5 Pre

Crispy-skinned chicken thighs nestled into creamy, tomatoey orzo is exactly the kind of dinner that looks impressive without requiring much work. The orzo cooks right in the skillet with tomato sauce and all those flavorful chicken drippings, while the thighs finish roasting on top. Finish it with basil, Parmesan and chili flakes and call it dinner. Servings: 4-5 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 45 minutes Total Time: 55 minutes Ingredients 4–5 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

This is my favorite game-day snack of all time, courtesy of my best friend Anna, who makes Buffalo Chicken Dip better than anyone I know. It’s creamy, cheesy, spicy, and loaded with shredded chicken—and there’s a reason the dish is always scraped clean. Yield: About 6 cups Servings: 10-12 as an appetizer Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 40 minutes Total Time: 55 minutes Ingredients 12 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature 1 (12-ounce) bottle Frank’s RedHot Origina

This Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is what I crave when I want something comforting that still feels light and fresh. It’s packed with tender chicken, plenty of vegetables, little bites of orzo, fresh herbs, and lots of lemon to brighten everything up. It’s cozy enough for a cold day but fresh enough to carry you into spring. Yield: About 10 cups Servings: 6 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 35 minutes Total Time: 50 minutes Ingredients 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 carrots, peele