RidgeMonkey chicken thighs cooked for dinner on New Year's Day in my camper van was a memorable and delightful experience. RidgeMonkeys are an innovative solution designed primarily for the angling community — robust, practical, and versatile cooking appliances particularly favoured by outdoor enthusiasts for their portability and ease of use. I use mine to cook in my van, and this easy RidgeMonkey chicken thighs recipe has been an absolute game-changer for preparing delicious meals on the go.

Ingredients:

• 4 skinless, bone-in chicken thighs
• Garlic powder
• White pepper
• Paprika
• Chilli flakes
• Dried herbs
• A pinch of celery seeds
• Olive oil
• 1 small red onion, chopped
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 stick celery, sliced
• A couple of tinned tomatoes, with some juices
• Beans of your choice (optional)

Method:

1. Thoroughly mix the chicken thighs with the garlic powder, white pepper, paprika, chilli flakes, dried herbs and celery seeds.
2. Heat the RidgeMonkey with olive oil until it starts to shimmer.
3. Add the seasoned chicken thighs, spaced out evenly. Close the lid and cook for 5 minutes without touching them, until a golden-brown crust forms.
4. Turn the thighs over and cook for another 5 minutes until both sides are browned. Set the chicken aside.
5. In the same RidgeMonkey, add the onion, carrot and celery. Cook until softened and browned at the edges.
6. Add the tinned tomatoes and juices, and cook for 2 minutes to let the flavours meld.
7. Return the chicken thighs to the pan. Cover and cook for 25–30 minutes, depending on the size of the thighs, until tender and cooked through.
8. For a complete one-pot meal, stir in beans of your choice after 20 minutes of cooking.

Cooking with a RidgeMonkey in the van makes meal preparation simple, efficient, and enjoyable — this Ridge Monkey chicken thighs recipe is proof of that. So why not give it a try?

This recipe also features in my Campervan Cooking Recipes hub — the complete collection of recipes actually cooked on the road in Florie. For more on how I cook on the road, see Cooking on Gas.
Find more recipes and food adventures here.
Wonky photos, proper food, genuine adventures – The Flexible Chef