Print

Easy Zesty Lemon Herb Chicken Thighs

zesty lemon herb chicken thighs - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy recipe featuring bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs marinated in lemon juice, fresh herbs, and garlic, then pan-seared and oven-finished for crispy skin and juicy meat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (1.5 to 2 pounds / 700–900 grams)
  • Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste (kosher salt preferred)
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Optional: 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade by combining lemon juice and zest, olive oil, minced garlic, chopped parsley, thyme leaves, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes in a mixing bowl. Whisk until well blended.
  2. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Place them in the bowl or a resealable bag and pour the marinade over. Toss well to coat and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, up to 2 hours.
  3. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking.
  4. Remove chicken from marinade (reserve marinade) and place skin-side down in the hot skillet. Press gently with tongs to ensure even contact. Cook until skin is golden brown and crispy, about 5-6 minutes. Flip and sear the other side for 2 minutes.
  5. Pour the reserved marinade over the chicken and transfer the skillet to the oven. Bake until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), about 15-20 minutes depending on thickness. If skillet is not oven-safe, transfer chicken and marinade to a baking dish.
  6. Remove chicken from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
  7. Garnish with extra fresh parsley and a little lemon zest before serving.

Notes

Patting the chicken dry before marinating is key for crispy skin. Marinate at least 15 minutes for flavor, up to 2 hours for tenderness. Use a hot pan for searing and finish in the oven to cook evenly. Rest chicken after cooking to keep it juicy. If skin isn’t crispy enough, broil for 1-2 minutes watching carefully.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon chicken, herb chicken, chicken thighs, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, zesty chicken, pan-seared chicken, oven-baked chicken

Find it online: https://fuzzyforker.com/easy-zesty-lemon-herb-chicken-thighs-recipe-perfect-for-quick-dinners/