Here's a delicious lemon pepper chicken thighs recipe—a simple, oven-baked dish perfect for stress-free weeknight dinners. This oven-baked lemon pepper chicken thighs recipe is hearty and comforting. The chicken thighs turn out perfectly every time, making it a fail-proof and easy chicken recipe.
If you're in search of a great chicken thighs recipe, give this Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs a try. It's oven-baked, crafted from straightforward ingredients, easy, budget-friendly, yet bursting with delightful lemon pepper flavors.
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Easy Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs Recipe
In this recipe, I'll guide you through creating your own lemon pepper seasoning—more economical and richer in flavor than any store-bought mix.
You can serve the lemon pepper chicken thighs with Roasted Baby potatoes with Rosemary and Garlic, Baked Mac and Cheese, Roasted Yellow Squash with Parmesan Cheese and Herbs, Summer Squash Casserole , Caprese Salad or Elotes Mexicanos
Now, let's delve into the ingredients, cooking process, and all the essential details for mastering the art of lemon pepper chicken.
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!
Reviewed by Vane (July 04, 2021)
Ingredients
To prepare this tasty lemon pepper chicken thighs recipe at home, you'll need the following ingredients, each serving a specific purpose:
- Chicken Thighs: Chicken thighs, with bone and skin, steal the spotlight as the key ingredient in this dish.
- Olive oil: for a rich base and moisture.
- Lemon juice and Lemon zest: imparting citrusy brightness and intense lemon flavor.
- Onion powder: adding savory depth.
- Fresh garlic: enhancing aromatic notes.
- Dried oregano: providing herbal essence.
- Black pepper: delivering a warm, pungent kick.
- Kosher salt: for overall seasoning. Kosher salt is a crucial ingredient in this lemon pepper chicken thighs recipe! Its larger grains, in comparison to table salt, make it easier to evenly distribute on the meat.
- Brown sugar: balancing with subtle sweetness.
Top Tip
Opting for skin-on thighs is ideal for achieving a nice brown and crispy exterior. Additionally, the skin aids in retaining more fat and moisture, ensuring juicier meat.
How to Make Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
Here is a detailed guide to the step-by-step preparation and cooking process for lemon pepper chicken thighs.
Step 1. Preparation
- Mince the garlic.
- Juice and zest a lemon.
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
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.
Tips
- Prep the Chicken: Ensure the chicken thighs are patted dry before seasoning. This helps achieve a crispier skin during baking.
- Seasoning Distribution: Evenly distribute the lemon pepper seasoning on both sides of each chicken thigh for consistent flavor.
- Marination (Optional): If time allows, consider marinating the chicken in the lemon pepper seasoning for 15-30 minutes. This enhances flavor absorption.
- Proper Cooking Temperature: For perfectly oven-baked chicken thighs, roast them at 400°F for approximately 35-45 minutes. If using boneless chicken thighs, the cooking time will be shorter.
- Cook chicken thighs properly. Ensure thorough cooking of chicken thighs. The USDA advises cooking whole poultry, including breasts, legs, thighs, wings, and giblets, to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F, as measured using a food thermometer.
FAQ
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
- Roasted Half Chicken
Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below! I'd appreciate it.
📖 Recipe
Oven-Baked 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.
Emily says
These lemon pepper chicken thighs are so delicious! Such amazing flavor and cooked to perfection! Adding this to my weeknight recipe rotation!
Renee | The Good Hearted Woman says
Such a tasty recipe, and so easy to make too! Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner!
Cookilicious says
The perfect weeknight meal!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry . says
What delicious flavours!
Pris Frank says
OMG I'm already eating with my eyes. Lemon is just amazing with chicken, and I loved that you didn't skip on the garlic. Yum!
Rika Livingston says
Never skip the garlic, that's my #1 rule, Pris! 🙂
Ben says
I love that lemon flavor with the tender thigh meat. That is fully awesome.
Rika Livingston says
Thanks, Ben!
Amber Myers says
I love lemon pepper chicken!
Pam Wattenbarger says
That chicken looks so tasty! Lemon pepper chicken is one of our favorite recipes.
Terri A Steffes says
We adore chicken thighs and now I want to try these. I'll share the recipe with my husband. He does the cooking for the house.
Rika Livingston says
I am sure he is a good cook, Terri!
Rose Ann Sales says
Great savory and the ingredients are easy to grab. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Rika Livingston says
You're welcome, Rose!