Easy oven baked lemon pepper chicken thighs are perfectly flavored in lemon, garlic and just a few other simple seasonings then baked in the oven until golden brown.
From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito
This recipe for lemon pepper chicken thighs recipe is so easy to make and bursting with fresh, lemon flavor. I'm not sure why, but anything that tastes like lemon I wait to make until the sun in shining in the hot summer months.Once the temperature starts to rise here in Jersey, these chicken thighs are at the top of my list of things to make. My whole family just loves them.
Theres nothing better than a nice, homemade chicken dinner sometimes and this one really does hit the spot. I love how moist and juicy the bone in chicken thighs keep the meat. That skin crisps up perfectly in the broiler, too.
Ingredients
Here is everything you'll need to make this delicious chicken. You can find the full ingredients list along with measurements and instructions on the recipe card below.
- Skin On, Bone In Chicken Thighs
- Lemon Zest
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning
- Salt & Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Olive Oil
- Fresh Parsley
- Minced Garlic
How To Make It
Heres how to make this delicious dinner. You can find the full ingredients list along with instructions on the recipe card below.
First, add the chicken thighs to a marinating bowl and add the oil, lemon zest and juice, lemon pepper seasoning, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, minced garlic and parsley. Massage the ingredients into the chicken thighs until everything is evenly combined and place them side by side in the baking dish. Sprinkle the top with more lemon pepper, cover and place them in the fridge for 2-24 hours.
PRO TIP: Be sure to pat the skin of the chicken dry before seasoning to get a nice and crispy skin.
When they’re ready to be cooked, preheat the oven to 400° and place some cut up lemon on top for garnish. Place it into the center rack of the oven, uncovered for 40 minutes. Finally, let them sit for 5-10 minutes, serve warm and enjoy!
PRO TIP: Broil them for an additional 3-5 minutes for the skin to get extra crispy.
Do I Have To Use Chicken Thighs?
This recipe works best on chicken thighs or drumsticks. You technically can use chicken breast but be sure to adjust the cooking time so that they don't overcook and dry out.
How Long Should I Marinate Them?
The longer these sit, the more flavor will penetrate each piece of chicken. 24 hours is just enough time for maximum flavor without worrying about the lemon breaking down the chicken too much. If a few hours is all the time you have, that would be ok, too.
What Should I Serve These With?
This chicken would go great with rice or pasta and a vegetable like Frozen Roasted Green Beans or Garlic Parmesan Broccoli.
Storage
Let the chicken cool completely and place them into a food safe, air tight container. It will last in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs Recipe
Ingredients
- 2-2.5 Pounds Chicken Thighs, bone in and skin on
- 2 Med Lemons (one for the zest & juice and the other for a garnish)
- 2.5 Tbs Lemon Pepper Seasoning
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- 1 Tbs Garlic Powder
- 1 Tbs Onion Powder
- 3 Tbs Olive Oil
- 2 Tbs Fresh Parsley, chopped
- 1 Tbs Minced Garlic
Instructions
- Add the chicken thighs to a marinating bowl and add the oil, lemon zest and juice, 2 tbs of lemon pepper seasoning, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, minced garlic and parsley.
- Massage the ingredients into the chicken thighs until everything is evenly combined.
- Place them side by side in the baking dish and sprinkle the top with the rest of the lemon pepper. Cover and place them in the fridge to marinate overnight.
- When they’re ready to be cooked, preheat the oven to 400° and add some cut pieces of lemon for garnish to the top
- Place the chicken into the center rack of the oven, uncovered for 40 minutes. Broil them for an additional 3-5 minutes or until the skin becomes crispy.
- Let them cool slightly and serve warm. Enjoy!
Video
Other Easy Chicken Recipes
If you like super easy to make chicken recipes like this one, you have to try this Chicken Divan, Crockpot Mississippi Chicken & Swiss Chicken.
Donna Landrigan says
Looks great!
Al Dente Diva says
Hello. Thank you - I think I just used a package of knorr side noodles. I love them!
Sue Magoss says
Would you please send the noodle recipe that you have displayed for the chicken recipe??? It does look so VERY tasty and and the noodles look like some that are SO good and I would love to try it this week..........as soon as I get the recipe for the noodles!!!! Thank you SO very much!!!
sue@magoss.com