Description
Crispy Lemon Chicken Thighs are juicy and tender on the inside with golden, crispy skin and a bright lemon-garlic flavor. This easy skillet-to-oven recipe creates a delicious weeknight dinner with minimal effort, combining the zest of lemon with aromatic garlic and herbs for a Mediterranean-inspired dish.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
Cooking Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) to prepare for roasting the chicken after searing.
- Season Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs very dry with paper towels to ensure crispiness. Season both sides evenly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and fresh lemon zest.
- Heat Skillet: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Sear Chicken Skin-Side Down: Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the hot skillet. Cook undisturbed for 6–8 minutes until the skin is deeply golden and crispy, avoiding moving them to maintain crispness.
- Flip Chicken: Turn the chicken thighs over and cook for an additional 2 minutes on the other side to start cooking through.
- Add Garlic: Scatter the minced garlic around the chicken pieces in the skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Add Liquids and Herbs: Pour in the chicken broth and fresh lemon juice, then sprinkle dried oregano over the skillet to infuse flavors.
- Roast in Oven: Transfer the entire skillet to the preheated oven and roast for 18–22 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) indicating it is fully cooked.
- Finish and Serve: Remove from the oven and spoon some of the lemon-garlic pan juices over the chicken to enhance moistness and flavor. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Drying the chicken skin thoroughly is essential for getting it crispy.
- Do not move the chicken around while it is skin-side down during the initial searing to develop a golden crust.
- Bone-in, skin-on thighs provide the best flavor and texture for this recipe.
- Serve with roasted potatoes, rice, green beans, or a simple salad for a complete meal.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheat in the oven or air fryer to help maintain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course, Chicken
- Method: Stovetop, Baking
- Cuisine: American, Mediterranean-Inspired
