There's something wonderfully comforting about gathering around the table for a home-cooked meal, and award-winning food writer Tony Jackman has created the perfect recipe to make weeknight dinners both effortless and memorable.

Jackman's approach to this family-friendly chicken bake is refreshingly creative. Rather than relying on conventional seasonings, he's crafted a unique flavor profile centered around the delightful taste of anise. By combining star anise, fennel seeds, and fresh fennel from his garden, he's created a dish that stands out while remaining beautifully simple to prepare.

What makes this recipe particularly appealing is its accessibility. The ingredient list focuses on wholesome, everyday vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and celery, making it budget-friendly and easy to shop for. The preparation is straightforward enough for busy families, yet the end result tastes like something special.

Jackman, who has won the prestigious Galliova Food Writer of the Year award twice, demonstrates that excellent cooking doesn't require complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients. His philosophy of giving familiar dishes a personal stamp encourages home cooks to embrace their creativity in the kitchen.

The recipe is wonderfully adaptable too. Whether you're using a modern air fryer oven or a traditional conventional oven, this dish works beautifully. Jackman himself has been experimenting with air fryers in his new home, showing how we can embrace new cooking technologies while still creating warmth and connection through food.

The layering technique adds visual appeal and ensures every element cooks to perfection. Vegetables form a flavorful base, while bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs rest on top, becoming golden and tender as they bake. The addition of butter and aromatic fennel creates a sauce that brings everything together harmoniously.

What's particularly heartening about this recipe is how it celebrates the simple pleasure of providing nourishing food for loved ones. In our busy lives, finding recipes that deliver both on taste and convenience is truly valuable. This dish proves that weeknight cooking can be both relaxing and rewarding.

The garnish of fresh fennel fronds adds a final touch of brightness, making the dish as beautiful to look at as it is satisfying to eat. It's these thoughtful details that transform an ordinary Tuesday dinner into something that brings smiles around the table.

For families looking to expand their recipe repertoire without adding stress to their evenings, this aromatic chicken bake offers the perfect solution. It's a reminder that some of life's greatest pleasures come from sharing delicious, lovingly prepared food with the people we care about most.

Whether you're an experienced home cook or just finding your confidence in the kitchen, this recipe invites you to try something new while keeping things wonderfully straightforward. After all, the best meals are the ones that bring us together.