Here's a delicious lemon pepper chicken thighs recipe. It's a simple oven-baked chicken thighs dish that is perfect for stress-free weeknight dinners.
This roasted lemon pepper chicken thighs recipe is so hearty and comforting. The chicken thighs turn out right every time; it’s an easy recipe for chicken that will never fail you.
Jump to:
Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
If you are looking for a good recipe for chicken thighs, try this Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs recipe.
It's oven-baked, made of simple ingredients, easy and inexpensive to make but loaded with lemon pepper flavors.
You can read the reviews and re-pin here
In this recipe, I will show you how to make your own lemon pepper seasoning. It's cheaper and tastes better than any store-bought lemon pepper mix.
You can serve the lemon pepper chicken thighs with roasted baby potatoes with rosemary and garlic!
Now let's talk about the ingredients, cooking process, and everything else that you need to know about lemon pepper chicken.
Preparation for Oven-Baked Chicken Thighs
The preparation is very simple. Here are some steps you need to do.
- Mince the garlic.
- Juice and zest a lemon.
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
Chicken Thighs
To make this recipe, you will need about 1-¾ pounds of chicken thighs, which is around 4 pieces.
Skin-on thighs would be perfect for this recipe so you can get that nice brown and crispy skin.
The skin also helps retain more fat and moisture which results in juicier meat.
The Perfect Seasoning for Oven-Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
The lemon pepper seasoning blend consists of basic pantry ingredients: olive oil, dried oregano, black pepper, onion powder, brown sugar, kosher salt, as well as fresh produce: fresh garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
You can use dried/fresh thyme or Italian seasoning as a substitute item for oregano or use a combination of both.
Kosher salt is an absolute must-have ingredient in so many chicken recipes! Kosher salt has larger grains than table salt which makes it easier to distribute evenly on meat.
I usually use about ¾ - 1 teaspoon of kosher salt per pound of chicken.
However, lemon juice and lemon zest act as flavor enhancers and brighten up the taste of food. Both are often used as a salt replacement for those who are trying to reduce sodium intake. For that reason, I only used 1 teaspoon of kosher salt per recipe (4 pieces of chicken, 1-¾ pounds total).
How to Marinate Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
Marinating is optional, but if you could marinate the chicken in the seasoning for 15-30 minutes it will help absorb the flavors.
The Perfect Temperature to Cook Chicken Thighs in the Oven
Roast the chicken thighs at 400°F for about 35-45 minutes. The cooking time will be shorter if you are using boneless chicken thighs.
The best way to make sure your chicken is safe to eat is to check the internal temperature.
The USDA recommends cooking whole poultry (including breasts, legs, thighs, wings, and giblets) to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F as measured using a food.
The Cooking Process
This lemon pepper chicken thighs recipe can be done in 3 easy steps.
Step 1. Prepare the Chicken Thighs
Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture before cooking.
Step 2. Season the Chicken Thighs
- In a small bowl, combine all the seasoning ingredients.
- Rub the seasoning all over the chicken thighs.
- If possible, marinate the chicken for 30 minutes.
Step 3. Roast the Chicken Thighs
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Place the chicken, skin side up on a prepared baking sheet. Bake for about 35-45 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through, is no longer pink, and until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
What to Serve With Baked Chicken Thighs:
- Baked Mac and Cheese
- Roasted Yellow Squash with Parmesan Cheese and Herbs
- Summer Squash Casserole
- Korean Spinach Salad
- Skillet Fried Corn
- Caprese Salad
- Elotes Mexicanos
FAQ and Cooking Tips
Like salt, sugar is a flavor enhancer. However, if you prefer not to have sugar, feel free to skip it.
Yes, you can. Simply preheat the air fryer to 400°F and air fry the chicken thighs for 18-25 minutes or until the internal temperature registers at 165°F, rotate the chicken halfway through. Here's a great recipe for air fryer chicken thighs.
You can store the leftover in an airtight container. Properly stored, the leftover cooked chicken can last 3-4 days in the fridge or up to 6 months. Be sure to keep the refrigerator temperature at or below 40° F (4° C). The freezer temperature should be 0° F (-18° C).
Brush your chicken lightly with olive oil and wrap it tightly with the foil. Place the chicken on a prepared baking sheet. Bake at 325°F until the internal temperature of the meat registers at least 165° F on a meat thermometer.
Check Out More Chicken Recipes:
- Oven-Baked Rosemary Chicken Thighs
- Easy Chicken Picatta
- Baked Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs
- Roasted Cornish Hen
- Chicken and Chorizo Rice
- Roasted Half Chicken
- Slow Cooker Lime Chicken with Couscous
- Healthy Baked Chicken Tenders
- Chicken Shawarma
- Juicy Oven-Baked Chicken Breast
- Harissa Chicken
- Creamy Chicken Marsala
- Crock Pot Slow Chicken Stew
Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below! I'd appreciate it.
📖 Recipe
Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs , (bone-in and skin-on) - about 1¾ pounds total
Spice Blend:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- lemon zest, (from 1 lemon)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ¾ teaspoon dried oregano, (or use Italian seasoning or thyme)
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, (use ¾ teaspoon if you are salt-sensitive)
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine all of the spice blend ingredients and mix well. Season the chicken thighs with the spice blend. Marinate the chicken in the fridge for 30 minutes if possible.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Place the chicken, skin side up on a prepared baking sheet. Cook for about 35-45 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through, is no longer pink, and until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Natacha
It was really good and juicy
Rika
Hi Natacha,
Thanks for sharing your feedback! I am glad that you liked this chicken recipe.
Best,
Rika
Glenda
Could you use chicken breast cutlets?
Rika
Hi Glenda,
Certainly, while you can opt for chicken cutlets instead of chicken thighs, it's important to modify the cooking time to ensure the chicken cutlets don't end up overcooked.
Best,
Rika
Vane
This recipe is so simple, it's a keeper! I also really appreciated that the ingredients are all ingredients that are easily found in your pantry. The chicken came out tender and the marinade brought the flavours out so beautifully. Thank you for sharing!
Rika
Hi Vane,
You're welcome and thanks for taking the time to share your feedback. I am glad that you like this recipe :).
Best,
Rika
Robynn
Can you skip the lemon zest?
Rika
Hi Robynn,
The lemon zest plays a role to bring more flavors to the dish. However, if you prefer not to add it for any reason feel free to omit it. Let me know how it tastes without it.
Best,
Rika
Michelle D Lang
This was
Rika
Thanks for taking the time to review this recipe, Michelle! I am glad that you liked it.
Diane
Hi did you cover it when you baked it?
Rika
Hi Diane,
No. I didn't cover it.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Best,
Rika
Lisa B
Sooo delicious and so easy to prepare! I marinated them for 1/2 hour beforehand. My husband absolutely LOVED it! Definitely making this again!
Rika
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for trying and sharing your feedback. I am glad that you and your husband loved it.
Best,
Rika
Jenny
this has become one of my go-to easy idk-what-to-make-for-dinner night meals. Me and my boyfriend both love it, he has it with rice and I usually have it with vegetables.
Rika
Hi Jenny,
Thanks for the comment! Thighs are my favorite part of the chicken. I actually make these a lot so I’m very pleased to hear you’re both enjoying it!
Best,
Rika