Air Fryer Chicken Thighs with Eggplant and Herb Pangrattato
Tender chicken thighs and roasted eggplant topped with a crispy herb pangrattato, cooked quickly in the air fryer.
Steps
- 01
Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F).
- 02
Season the chicken thighs and diced eggplant with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- 03
Place the chicken and eggplant in the air fryer basket. Cook the chicken for 20 minutes and the eggplant for 15 minutes, turning halfway through.
- 04
Meanwhile, prepare the pangrattato: in a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the breadcrumbs and garlic, and toast until golden, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in the chopped herbs, then remove from heat.
- 05
With 5 minutes left, sprinkle the pangrattato over the chicken. Serve immediately with the eggplant.
Recipe story
Pangrattato is a traditional Italian condiment, used to add texture and flavor to dishes. Originating from Italian peasant cuisine, where breadcrumbs replaced expensive cheese, this crispy mixture became popular throughout Italy. Eggplant, meanwhile, is a staple of Mediterranean cuisine, cultivated since ancient times in the Middle East and South Asia. The combination of chicken with eggplant and pangrattato reflects the culinary influences of the Mediterranean region.
Ingredient Secrets
Discover the culinary secrets and flavor history of key ingredients in this dish.
Black pepper
Known as 'black gold' in antiquity, pepper was so valuable that it served as currency and tribute. In the Middle Ages, Venetian merchants controlled the pepper trade, and individual peppercorns were often counted. Legend has it that when Alaric, king of the Visigoths, demanded tribute from Rome, he included 3,000 pounds of pepper.
Sea salt
Sea salt, extracted from ocean waters by evaporation, was one of the most precious goods of antiquity, used both as food and as currency. In ancient Rome, soldiers were paid with salt, which is the origin of the word 'salary'. Salt roads connected entire civilizations, and in the Middle Ages, salt was so valuable it was called 'white gold'.
Thyme
In ancient Rome, thyme was burned in temples to purify the air and ward off evil spirits, and Roman soldiers added it to their baths to strengthen their courage. In the Middle Ages, noble ladies embroidered thyme on knights' scarves as a symbol of bravery. The ancient Greeks used it in baths and temples, and its name derives from the Greek 'thymos', meaning 'courage'.
Parsley
In Greek mythology, parsley was associated with death and rebirth, planted on graves to symbolize the cycle of life. Romans used it generously in cooking and as a remedy for hangovers.
Rosemary
In ancient Rome, rosemary was a symbol of remembrance and fidelity, used in bridal crowns and funeral rites. Legend says that the goddess Venus, emerging from the sea waves, created rosemary.
Garlic
Native to Central Asia, garlic was already known in ancient Egypt, where it was given to slaves to boost their strength. In ancient Greece, athletes consumed it before competitions, and in Rome, legionaries considered it essential for courage. During the Middle Ages, it was used to ward off vampires and the plague.
Olive oil
Originating in the Mediterranean basin, olive oil was already produced in ancient Crete 5,000 years ago. In ancient Greece, it was considered a gift from Athena and used in lamps, cosmetics, and religious ceremonies. The Romans spread it throughout the empire, and in the Middle Ages, monasteries preserved the tradition of its production.
Cloves
Cloves, the dried buds of the exotic Syzygium aromaticum tree, were one of the most prized spices of the ancient world, often called 'aromatic gold'. In the Middle Ages, Venetian merchants controlled the clove trade, bringing them from the Maluku Islands, the only place they grew, and selling them at exorbitant prices in Europe.
Eggplant
Although the name 'eggplant' suggests a connection to eggs, this purple vegetable actually originates from India, where it was cultivated over 4,000 years ago. Arabs introduced eggplants to Europe during the Middle Ages.
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