Lemon Garlic Baked Chicken Thighs

Garlic Lemon Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe – These amazing baked chicken thighs are a delicious and very simple main dish! Boneless skinless 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!

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Ingredients list for the garlic lemon baked chicken thighs recipe

• 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

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How to make baked chicken thighs

To prepare the chicken thighs: Marinate chicken thighs with olive oil, lemon juice, chili pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, fresh ground pepper, onion powder, and chicken broth. Sear the chicken thighs in a skillet for 4 minutes on each side until crispy and golden.

Bake chicken thighs: Bake chicken to 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken meat flakes and is fork-tender.

Garnish the baked chicken thighs with pepper flakes, parsley, lemon slices, and serve!

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

The Chicken Thighs marinade

You only need a handful of seasoning ingredients to make the chicken marinade: olive oil, lemon juice, chicken broth, red chili pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, fresh ground pepper, onion powder. The secret ingredients for this chicken breast recipe are lemon and chicken broth – they will delicately infuse the meat. We recommend you prepare a good amount of marinade, so you can coat the chicken thighs thoroughly and give it a beautiful crust.

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How long to cook chicken thighs

In this chicken recipe, we first sear the chicken thighs in the skillet, then we bake them in the oven, so the baking time will be shorter. For your information, baked bone-in chicken thighs require about 35 minutes of baking time at a high temperature. Bake them until the juices run clear, and there is no pinker at the bone. A medium chicken thigh (5 – 6oz or 150 – 180g) will take from 18 to 20 minutes to bake at 425ºF (225ºC). Large chicken thighs (7oz or 200g) will take about 22-25 minutes to cook. Cooking it hard and fast at a high temperature is the secret to gorgeous, crispy, caramelized edges while keeping your chicken thighs super juicy on the inside. No dried-out chicken around here!

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Directions

1. To make the Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe: 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 lemon garlic baked 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 chicken thighs recipe

• 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 to bake chicken thighs?

We first sear the chicken thighs in a skillet to lock in the juices and flavor of the dark meat. Then the natural pan juices will blend into the sauce while the chicken is baking. Delicious!

What to serve with the baked chicken recipe?

Grilled, roasted, or steamed vegetables will do wonders with this recipe for chicken. Think asparagus, potato wedges, root vegetables, or a simple green salad if you want something lighter.

How and how long to store the baked chicken thighs leftovers?

These oven-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