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.
Jennifer Van Haitsma says
Lemon pepper chicken looks like it would be so good with a summery salad. Yum!
Rika Livingston says
That sounds like the perfect pair, Jennifer!
Catalina says
Yum! These chicken thighs are so crispy and look so mouthwatering! I would like to make them for dinner tonight!
Acupofassamtea says
An ideal recipe for summer brunch.
Kathy says
Chicken is one of my favorite meats. Lemon pepper is my favorite flavoring as well. The two together taste amazing.
Ruth I says
I love how this is a cheap dinner idea but never looks cheap at all. Yummy!
Rika Livingston says
I agreed, Ruth!
Mama Ash says
This looks amazing and I have chicken thighs in the fridge! I think I'll make this for dinner tonight 🙂
Hannah Marie says
I am so glad we have all those ingredients right now. I will be trying this dish! Looks yummy!
Rika Livingston says
Awesome!
Orlie says
This looks like an excellent, and easy weeknight dinner. I can't wait to try this.
Nikki Branch says
I have to say, I have tried a lot of recipes off of Pintrist and not been pleased But this Lemon Pepper Chicken recipe is off the chain amazing!!!
Rika says
Hi Nikki,
Thanks for taking the time to share your positive feedback! I am glad to that you found this lemon pepper chicken recipe on Pinterest and liked it. It's my go-to chicken recipe when I am looking for a simple dinner meal.
Take care!
Rika
Caitlin says
If I double the recipe, does the cooking time stay the same?
Rika says
Hi Caitlin,
The bake time will not change significantly but you need to use a bigger pan. Please note that you may need to adjust the cooking time depending on the thickness of the chicken, oven-quality, etc. The FDA Food Code suggests cooking chicken to 165°F.
Please let me know if you still have any other questions.
Best,
Rika