One Meat & Three Sides Recipe
Make One Meat & Three Sides Recipe in just 1h 15m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Meat — BBQ Oven-Roasted Chicken Thighs
Side — Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Side — Classic Baked Macaroni & Cheese
Side — Braised Green Beans with Bacon
Method
Meat — BBQ Oven-Roasted Chicken Thighs
- 1
Prep and spice rub
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. In a small bowl combine olive oil, brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Rub the mixture evenly over each thigh, getting under the skin where possible.
- 2
Roast
Arrange the thighs skin-side up on a rimmed baking sheet or in a shallow roasting pan spaced slightly apart. Roast in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- 3
Glaze and finish
Remove the pan from the oven after 30 minutes. Brush each thigh with about half of the BBQ sauce (reserve the rest for serving). Return to the oven and roast another 8–12 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F (74°C) and the skin is caramelized. If desired, broil on high for 1–2 minutes to deepen the glaze — watch carefully to avoid burning. Let rest 5 minutes before serving; brush with remaining BBQ sauce or serve on the side.
Side — Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- 4
- 5
Warm dairy and mash
While potatoes cook, warm the milk in a small saucepan or microwave until just warm. Drain potatoes well and return to the hot pot. Add the butter and mash by hand or with a ricer until mostly smooth. Stir in warmed milk a little at a time until you reach a creamy consistency. Fold in sour cream, black pepper, and adjust salt to taste. Stir in chopped chives if using. Keep warm until serving.
Side — Classic Baked Macaroni & Cheese
- 6
Cook pasta
Bring a medium pot of water to a boil, add 1 tsp kosher salt, and cook the elbow macaroni 1 minute less than package directions (about 7–8 minutes) so it remains slightly firm. Drain and set aside.
- 7
Make cheese sauce (roux + milk)
In the same pot, melt 2 tbs butter over medium heat. Sprinkle in the 2 tbs flour and whisk continuously for 1–2 minutes to cook the flour without browning. Gradually add the 2 cups milk while whisking to avoid lumps. Continue to cook and whisk until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 3–5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar and Gruyère (if using) until melted. Mix in dry mustard powder and black pepper; taste and add salt if needed.
- 8
Combine and bake
Stir the drained pasta into the cheese sauce until fully coated. Transfer to a lightly buttered 8x8" or similar baking dish. Mix the breadcrumbs with a pinch of paprika and sprinkle evenly over the top. Bake in the oven (375°F / 190°C) for 18–22 minutes, or until bubbly and the top is golden. If your oven is already at 425°F for the chicken, wait to bake mac until the chicken is resting or reduce mac bake temp to 400°F and watch the topping closely; total bake time should still be about 18–22 minutes. Remove and let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Side — Braised Green Beans with Bacon
- 9
Render bacon and sauté aromatics
Slice the bacon and place it in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is crisp and has released its fat, about 6–8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove most of the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about 1 tbs bacon fat in the skillet (add 1 tbs olive oil if needed). Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 3–4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook 30 seconds more until fragrant.
- 10
Braise the green beans
Add the trimmed green beans to the skillet, toss to coat in the fat, then pour in 1/4 cup chicken broth. Sprinkle with 0.5 tsp kosher salt and 0.25 tsp black pepper. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low; cook until beans are tender-crisp, about 6–8 minutes (cook a few minutes longer if you prefer softer beans). Uncover, increase heat to medium-high and cook until most of the liquid evaporates and beans have a slight browning, about 1–2 minutes.
- 11
Finish and serve
Stir the reserved crisp bacon back into the beans. Finish with 1 tbs lemon juice, if using, and adjust seasoning to taste. Keep warm and serve alongside the meat and other sides.
