Garlic Lemon Baked Chicken Thighs – These amazing baked garlic lemon chicken thighs are a delicious and very simple main dish! The chicken thighs are marinated with spices, pan-seared for a nice golden crust, then baked in the oven for that crispy result on the outside and amazingly tender and juicy on the inside. This baked chicken thighs recipe is so easy to make with only a handful of pantry ingredients and one pan! The sauce is so good everyone will ask for more. Enjoy!
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Ingredients list for the garlic lemon baked chicken thighs
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or skin-on if you prefer)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of one lemon
- 2 tablespoons low sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red chili pepper flakes, or cayenne (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 4 garlic cloves, sliced or minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tablespoon butter
- Chopped fresh parsley and lemon slices, for garnish
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Directions
1. To make the Baked Garlic Lemon Chicken Thighs: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a medium-sized shallow bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of olive oil together with lemon juice, pepper, salt, minced garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, red chili flakes, paprika, chicken broth, and Italian seasoning. Add the chicken thighs to the marinade and toss to evenly coat. Cover and refrigerate thighs for 15 minutes minimum.
2. Heat one tablespoon of oil and 1/2 tablespoon butter in an oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat (we like cast-iron). Add in the chicken thighs along with any marinade leftover in the bowl, and sear chicken for 4 minutes on each side until crispy and golden–the chicken thighs will not be fully cooked.
3. Transfer the skillet with the seared chicken thighs to the preheated oven and roast until the chicken is cooked through–about 15-20 minutes depending on the size of the chicken thighs. Chicken must reach an internal temperature of 165ºF (74ºC).
4. Once chicken thighs are cooked, remove them from the oven and garnish them with fresh parsley and lemon wedges. Serve the baked garlic lemon chicken thighs over steamed rice or cauliflower rice, and don’t forget to drizzle with the pan juices. Enjoy!
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Tips for the baked garlic lemon chicken thighs
- We use boneless and skinless chicken thighs for this recipe. We find that it produces the best results, with less fat and a shorter cooking time. However, if you have bone-in skin-on chicken thighs on hand or that is just your preference, they will work just fine with this baked chicken thighs recipe as well! They may need about 10 minutes more to cook.
- Chicken thighs may vary in size so it’s always a good idea to use a meat thermometer. The safe cooking temperature for chicken is 165°F (74ºC).
- If you’re not on Keto, you can add a teaspoon of honey to the marinade to balance the lemon. It’s delicious!
How and how long to store the chicken thighs leftovers?
These garlic lemon baked chicken thighs will keep in the refrigerator for 2 days in an airtight container. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stove, adding a few drops of water to loosen the sauce.
More chicken recipes you might like
- Chicken with Spinach in Creamy Parmesan Sauce
- Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet
- Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Lemon Asparagus
- Garlic Butter Chicken and Potatoes Skillet
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
