This Chicken Osso Buco is rich, comforting and over the top full of flavor!
Updated: This post was first published here at the BHK in May 2016. I decided it was worthy of a reshare, so I’ve added some new photos and notes to the post below.
Has dinner gotten boring lately? Need something to spice up your regular routine?
Well get ready folks, because today I’m sharing my chicken spin on the classic Italian dish Osso Buco.
I shared this dish four years ago and decided it needed a refresh and a reshare here at the BHK. It’s a huge hit with family and friends, so if you missed it the first time around you need to add this to your weekly menu. I just know you’re gonna love it!
Of course, I hope you try all the main dishes posted here at the BHK, but I have to say if there’s one dinner that you absolutely NEED to try it’s this one. It’s far from your boring old weeknight dinner. It’s a zesty dish, that will have you hoping for leftovers. I guarantee it.
What is Osso Buco?
If you’ve never tried Osso Buco, it’s an Italian dish traditionally made with veal shanks. It’s braised with onions, carrots, celery, tomatoes, wine and broth.
Unfortunately, I can’t always get veal shanks at my local market and I’m a huge fan of chicken thighs, so I’ve substituted chicken thighs and it’s an absolute winner folks. I like to serve this dish over pasta, mashed potatoes or polenta with some nice crusty bread for dipping.
The incredibly rich and flavorful sauce over the moist, tender chicken makes for an irresistible, comforting dish that will make your so-so weeknight dinner spectacular! Enjoy!
A Few Cook’s Notes for Chicken Osso Buco Recipe:
You can use skin on or skinless chicken thighs for this recipe. Both work fine.
Don’t skip the freshly grated lemon zest. It gives this dish added flavor that you’ll really enjoy.
This dish is delicious served with a side of pasta. I especially enjoy it with orzo.
This Chicken Osso Buco is rich, comforting and over the top full of flavor!
- 8 skin on chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 Tbsp. butter
- 2 cups yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup carrot, diced
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp. thyme leaves
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
- 3/4 cup dry white wine
- 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 2 14.5-oz. cans diced fire roasted tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 Tbsp. finely grated lemon zest
- 2 Tbsp. fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
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Rinse chicken thighs, pat dry with a paper towel and season both sides with salt and pepper. Place flour in a shallow bowl, and dredge each thigh lightly in flour making sure to shake off the excess.
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In a large skillet, heat 2 Tbsp. olive oil over medium high heat. Add four chicken thighs to the pan and cook 3 minutes per side, until lightly browned. Remove thighs to baking dish large enough to hold all 8 chicken thighs. Add the remaining 2 Tbsp. olive oil and repeat with the other 4 chicken thighs.
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Pour off all but 1 Tbsp. of the olive oil and add 2 Tbsp. butter over medium heat. When butter is melted add onion, carrots, celery, garlic, oregano, thyme, salt and pepper. Cook until softened and lightly browned, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes.
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Add the wine and increase the heat to medium high. Cook for 3-4 minutes, scraping up any brown bits until the wine is reduced.
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Stir in the tomato paste, then add the tomatoes and the broth and bring to a boil. Pour the mixture over the chicken thighs. Cover the baking dish tightly with heavy duty aluminum foil.
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Bake at 400 degrees for 45 minutes or until meat is no longer pink. Before serving add the lemon zest and the parsley. I like to serve over pasta, mashed potatoes or polenta.
Thanks to your good old mom for this one! It looks perfect for a weeknight dinner and I love having leftovers. Anything to make my week easier. Hope you have a great week!
Thanks Karen! My mom was such a great cook when I was growing up. She’ll be 84 in a few weeks and unfortunately, she doesn’t really cook anymore, but now I get to make her all the wonderful dishes she made me growing up. Hope you have a great week too my friend!
Oh wow, this looks perfect Mary Ann – and perfect for the cool weather we’re having in Virginia this week! Happy Monday!
Thanks Mary Beth! I have to say, it’s a must try! Hoping some warmer weather is headed your way AND mine!
I’ve never had Osso Bucco of any kind – for some reason it seemed kind of intimidating to me – but as usual, you make it seem very doable and inviting. Osso Buco, here I come! Have a lovely week, Mary Ann!
Then definitely give it a try Kate! Honestly, it’s not hard to make at all! It’s just one of those comforting meals! Hope you have a great week too Kate!
Oh, this is exactly what Monday called for, Mary Ann! Love the change up and using chicken instead of veal. Perfect comfort food right there and I would definitely have a big hunk of bread alongside to soak up every drop of that delicious sauce! Pinning! Have a great week :)
Glad you’re on board Dawn! You’ll LOVE it! Enjoy the week!
Wow, Mary Ann! This Chicken Osso Buco looks amazing and certainly is a fabulous way to make a Monday special! I don’t eat veal, so I love that you substituted chicken thighs here! This dish looks so cozy and comforting! I bet the Leftovers taste just as good! Your mom deserves a few hugs for this! ;) pinned! Cheers, friend!
It really is Cheyanne! One of my favorite meals of all time! My mother always made the best! It even tastes better the next day!
Hey there! This is just what the doctor ordered. We’ve had cool, rainy weather this spring and this dish will be perfect. Sounds wonderful. Thanks!
This dish is perfect for dreary weather Deb! It warms you up! Have a great week!
This Osso Buco sounds so delicious right now. We woke up to cooler weather today and this would be the ultimate comfort meal to warm me up.
It really is an awesome comfort food dish Jen! Colder weather around my parts too, so we’ve been really enjoying this one! Have a wonderful week!
This is great comfort food for a foggy day on the coast. I love Osso Buco and will try your version. Have a great week Mary Ann.
It’s one of my favorite recipes from my mom Gerlinde. She doesn’t make it anymore, so now it’s my turn to make it for her! Hope you have a wonderful week too!
Wow Mary Ann, this looks so ridiculously good, I’ve got to make this for the boys soon!
They’ll love it Matt! It’s such a tasty, zesty dish!
Love this dish, especially the use of chicken thighs (my favourite :) And this is timely, since we seem to have moved back into stew weather here. Can’t wait to try this.
Thanks Jennifer! I know, it’s gotten chilly here again too! Back to comfort food for a bit! Enjoy!
This meal looks amazing, Mary Ann! I love that you used chicken thighs in place of veal shanks- I’m always looking for new thigh recipes. This looks so hearty and good- pinned :)
Oh, definitely give this one a try Jessica! I know you’ll love it!!
I am dying over this!! So much so that I am really bummed I don’t have the carrots because I have everything else…I would totally go in the kitchen and make this right now. Looks perfect!! xoxo
I’m glad you’re liking it Rebecca! It’s one of my all time favorite dishes! Get those carrots!!
I love the idea of making something special for Monday, Mary Ann. Monday’s can seem like such a grind after the weekend – the idea of making a great dish like this seems to take some of the sting out of the day!
Glad you are in agreement Geraldine! This dish certainly makes my Monday better! Hope you try it too!
I love osso bucco, this looks absolutely mouthwatering!
Thank you Laura! It’s a favorite!
I absolutely love osso buco! Veal shanks are hard to find around here too and I usually have to special order them from Whole Foods. I’ve made this with lamb shanks before, but I’ve never thought to use chicken! What a genius idea! Thank goodness for your mom’s creativity and I’m definitely adding this to the dinner rotation!
Yay! Then you will love this chicken version Rachelle! The night I made it we invited our neighbor over for dinner and he absolutely loved it!
I adore osso buco – so flavorful and delicious! I love that you used chicken thighs too. I’m definitely going to have to try making this for dinner soon!
Definitely try this one Rachel! It really is packed with flavor!
I love the cheery light in your photos Mary Ann! I came upon this post just as I was trying to decide what to make for dinner!
Thanks so much Sue! This one is a favorite at our house for sure! It’s such a hearty and comforting dish! Hope you give it a try!
Gorgeous as always Mary Ann! This chicken dish sounds like a sure fire winner.
Thanks so much Nicole! We love this dish at our hope! Hope you give it a go! Enjoy your week my friend!
This is a must make on Monday or any day! Tender chicken thighs simmered in this rich sauce sounds so comfy and cozy and definitely works for dinner in this chilly May weather. I cannot wait to try this!
I know you’re going to love it Cathy! It’s such a flavorful dish! I know, when is the nice warm weather coming?!
I’m glad you are carrying on with your mother’s dishes, this sounds like a good one.
It really is Karen! It’s such a comforting dish! Always reminds me of my mom!
Yum! And love the idea of using chicken instead of beef shin! Thanks so much for the comment!
You need to try this one Alida! It’s sooo tasty!
We love Osso bucco as well. I often use turkey thighs instead of veal , braise them longer and they turn out fantastic, sounds great with chicken thighs too, and it will cook quicker too, will give it a try, thanks for the idea
Sure! Hope you enjoy the recipe! Thanks so much for commenting!
This looks so fabulous, Mary Ann. This dinner is totally my speed (I get overwhelmed with figuring out what to make!) and I know it would be a winner over here. Your mom knew what she was doing! ;)
Thanks Tessa! This dish is a definite winner at our house! Hope you enjoy too!
Oh my oh my!!!!! This is totally my kind of dish. Wait, what dish isn’t, right? But I love the way it shimmers with luscious juice and the fact that it’s zesty because this pregnant lady needs her zest in almost every meal. :) I’m loving the name ‘the beach house kitchen’, by the way. As soon as I saw it I knew I’d feel like I’m taking a mini-trip to Kauai or something of that nature. Very refreshing and sweet. <33
You’ll enjoy this dish without a doubt Ellie! It’s so packed with flavor! It’s zesty x 10! Enjoy!
This Chicken Osso Buco is delectable and well worth making when tempertatures fall. It will be one of our faves in the future. Thankyou for a very satisfying family meal
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Gerald! That is probably my favorite meal on the blog! Every time I’ve served it for company they always LOVE it! Thanks for stopping by to leave a comment!
Anyone try this with chicken breasts or in the crockpot?
Hi Becky. I’ve always used the chicken thighs. If you use chicken breasts, just make sure not to overcook. Enjoy!
can this be made ahead? sounds delicious! i appreciate the help…
Yes it can Liz. The flavors get even better the next day!
Never thought of that kind of twist. Amazing. Will do !
Sooooo good Davorka! Hope you give it a go!
Talk about the epitome of comfort food! This would make such a perfect Sunday supper, Mary Ann. Now, pass the bread for dunkin’ :) Pinned!
It’s one of my favorite dishes of all time Dawn! Comin’ up!
This meal looks amazing! It’s a little cool and windy out, today…this will be just perfect! Pinned!
Yes it would Annie! Such a delicious comfort food dish!
Pure genius to make Osso Buco with chicken! You can take one look at that dish and know that it’s LOADED with flavor. I definitely need to try this! p.s. I spotted that bottle of Matua – so good! They make an excellent Pinot Noir too. :) xo
I LOVE Matua Marissa! Hope you give this dish a try. I know you’ll enjoy it!
Mary Ann, osso buco with chicken is brilliant! I love the flavors of osso bucco, but hunting down veal shanks is such a pain. Such a great idea to use chicken instead!
We really enjoyed the chicken thigh change up Kelly. Bet you would too!
So clever of you to make osso bucco with chicken! I’ve only ever had the traditional, and only once, but it was fantastic. I’m definitely inspired to make your chicken version!
Osso buco really is a fantastic dish Katherine. One of my faves for sure!
Mmm,osso buco is such a favourite dish – but you’re right, it isn’t always easy to get veal, so I am loving this chicken version. I will be trying it very soon! Yum!
Enjoy Alex!
I’m so thrilled you are re-sharing this, because I needed the friendly reminder to make this immediately! I mentioned before I love osso buco, but I’ve only had the beef version since I refuse to eat veal. I MUST try this! I bet your chicken version will be my favorite yet!! Pinned!
It’s incredibly delicious, if I do say so myself Chey! Thanks so much for pinning.