Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs are bursting with flavor. They have the perfect seasoning with a balance of lemon, pepper, and garlic.
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Not only is this Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs recipe delicious, but it is also so easy to make. Perfect for busy weeknights as you can have this ready in less than 30 minutes. These lemon baked chicken thighs will be a crowd pleaser.
To learn more about the safety, handling, and nutrition facts of chicken, visit the USDA.
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What We Love About This Lemon Pepper Baked Chicken Thigh Recipe
- 30 Minute Meal: Have this dish ready and on the table within a half of an hour.
- Family Friendly: Your family won’t be able to get enough lemon pepper chicken thighs.
- Makes Great Leftovers: Use leftover lemon baked chicken thighs to add to a creamy lemon pasta sauce.
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken: This recipe calls for boneless skinless chicken thighs, but chicken breasts or chicken strips will work just as well.
- Onion: A yellow or white onion will work best.
Variations and Substitutions
- Lemon Pepper – To get the lemon pepper flavor in this recipe, only black pepper and lemon juice are required, but for the classic lemon pepper flavor you can additionally add a store bought lemon pepper seasoning.
- Extra Lemon Flavor – If you prefer your dish to have a more potent, tangy lemon flavor add additional lemon juice and lemon zest to taste.
- Air Fryer- Make Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs for a crispy skin. Cook at 360 degrees for 15 minutes. Spray air fryer basket with a little cooking spray. Cook in batches in necessary.
How to Make Lemon Pepper Baked Chicken Thighs
These are the basic steps for making Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions, prep time and cooking time and total time. Check Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram for more.
STEP 1: PREPPING
First, begin by preheated oven to 375 degrees. Before you season your chicken with salt and pepper, pat dry with paper towel pat. In a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat add 1 Tablespoon of butter and olive oil.
STEP 2: BROWN THE CHICKEN
Add chicken thighs to the skillet. Cook chicken until golden brown, cook on each side for about 2-3 minutes. Then remove to a clean plate. In a bowl or measuring cup, mix together the chicken broth, lemon juice and garlic. Then set aside.
STEP 3: SAUTE ONIONS
Next add the onion to the hot skillet, saute until softened. Once onions look transparent, add broth-garlic mixture to skillet. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
STEP 4: REDUCE BROTH
Then reduce heat to medium and bring to a simmer until broth has reduced by half. Once broth has reduced, add the butter to the skillet, and make a slurry by mixing together cornstarch and milk then pour into the skillet.
STEP 5: BAKE CHICKEN
Add the chicken back in the skillet and transfer to the oven, bake 15-20 minutes. Until the internal temperature is 165 degrees f using a meat thermometer.
Prep and Storage Tips
HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME
To make this lemon baked chicken thighs recipe ahead of time, follow the steps and store chicken in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat in oven for 8-10 minutes.
HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE
Store leftover baked lemon chicken thighs in an airtight container in fridge for 3-4 days.
HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE
To freeze lemon chicken thighs store in a freezer safe airtight bag for up to 3 months.
HOW TO REHEAT THIS RECIPE
Reheat chicken in the oven for 8-10 minutes or until hot at 350 degrees.
Frequently Asked Questions
It takes since the chicken is pre-cooked in a skillet, it will take 15-20 minutes to cook in the oven.
If you are looking to opt for a leaner protein source, chicken breasts will work as as well as chicken thighs.
Easily double or half this recipe, either increase or decrease the ingredients and cook as usual.
For the best tasting flavor and texture, the best method to cook chicken thighs is to start by searing the outside in a skillet for 2-3 minutes on each side and then follow by transferring the oven to finishing cooking.
Expert Tips for Making This Recipe
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: This is a great dish to bring a gathering or potluck. Simply increase the ingredients proportionately and split it between two skillets. Easy to make gluten free or paleo.
- Herbs: To add your own twist you can also amplify the flavor by additionally adding fresh rosemary, oregano, Italian Seasoning. paprika or thyme.
- Fresh Lemon: Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
What to Serve with Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes
- Easy Parmesan Orzo
- Garlic Parmesan Brussel Sprouts
- Parmesan Green Beans
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Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 4-6 Chicken Thighs, bone-in and skin-on
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1-2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice, to personal preference
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ Onion, diced
- ½ cup Milk
- 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
- Lemon, optional garnish
- Parsley, optional garnish
Instructions
- First, preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
- Next, with paper towel pat chicken dry. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat add 1 Tablespoon of butter and olive oil, allowing the butter to melt fully.
- Once butter has melted, add chicken thighs to the skillet. Cook chicken until golden brown, cook on each side for about 2-3 minutes. Then remove to a clean plate.
- In a bowl or measuring cup, mix together the chicken broth, lemon juice and garlic. Then set aside.
- Leave the skillet on medium-high heat and add onion, saute until softened.
- Once onions look transparent, add broth-garlic mixture to skillet. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Then reduce heat to medium and bring to a simmer until broth has reduced by half.
- Once broth has reduced, add the butter to the skillet, and make a slurry by mixing together cornstarch and milk then pour into the skillet.
- Place the chicken back in the skillet and bake 15-20 minutes. Until the internal temperature is 165 degrees f using a meat thermometer.
Expert Tips
-
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: This is a great dish to bring a gathering or potluck. Simply increase the ingredients proportionately and split it between two skillets. Easy to make gluten free or paleo.
- Herbs: To add your own twist you can also amplify the flavor by additionally adding fresh rosemary, oregano, Italian Seasoning. paprika or thyme.
- Fresh Lemon: Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.