If there’s one ingredient you’ll always find in my kitchen, it’s garlic. I make sure to keep a few bulbs in my pantry, and I have powdered garlic stocked in my spice drawer at all times. Garlicky mashed potatoes, buttery garlic bread, and garlic wings are just a few of my favorite ways to incorporate the allium into my meals.
Recently, a friend teased me for snacking on garlic bagel chips while mincing a few cloves to add to my pasta sauce. The teasing didn’t deter me in the least, my sauce was delicious, and hey, now we know I’m not a vampire.
Jokes aside, I’m certainly not alone in my admiration of garlic. As a key ingredient in many cuisines, you’ll find that garlic is often added to savory dishes in some form or fashion, whether it’s powdered, minced, or as whole cloves. And, in a recent TikTok, celebrity chef and restaurateur Emeril Lagasse shared a chicken dinner that calls for several whole cloves of garlic—40 to be exact.
Emeril Lagasse’s Chicken Thighs With 40 Cloves of Garlic
Nope, that is not a typo. Lagasse’s recipe actually uses 40 entire cloves of garlic, a number that is slightly absurd (not that I’m complaining). However, as over-the-top as it seems, the dish itself is unbelievably simple, and comes together in just one pot.
In the video, Lagasse starts with chicken thighs, which are seasoned with salt and pepper and then seared until golden brown. After making a roux in the same pot, Lagasse starts to build on the flavor.
At this point, he adds the 40 cloves of garlic, along with some fresh lemon juice, thyme, and chicken stock. The dish simmers for about 25 minutes before he tops it off with fresh parsley and serves with crusty bread. The final result is a meal of tender chicken thighs and a velvety gravy that’s full of buttery, garlic flavor.
While 40 cloves might sound like permanent, pungent garlic breath, rest assured that that won’t be the case with this dish. Since the garlic is left whole and simmered slowly, it results in a milder flavor compared to other cooking methods. But if you’re still not convinced, we do have a slightly less potent version, which only uses 20 cloves.
And if chicken thighs aren’t your favorite, try our whole chicken roast with 40 cloves. It could even be a fun turkey alternative for the upcoming holidays. And don’t forget the sides, such as garlic green beans or a creamy pasta. I have a feeling Lagasse would approve of these garlicky dishes, too.
