Oven-Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs are a delicious and flavorful dish that features tender, juicy chicken thighs seasoned with a zesty blend of lemon pepper, garlic, paprika, and herbs.
Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, these chicken thighs pair beautifully with rice, roasted vegetables like Hot Honey Brussel Sprouts , or a fresh green salad. The crispy skin and juicy meat make this a satisfying, crowd-pleasing meal that’s easy to prepare and full of bold flavors.
Baked lemon pepper chicken thighs is a dish that revels in its simple approach to blending a myriad of flavors. Thighs are the tastiest and juiciest part of the chicken, and bone-in adds to the flavor. Leave the skin on for some savory crispiness.
A seasoning of lemon pepper adds to the dish’s versatility. It’s incredibly tasty yet it is uncomplicated enough for a weekday dinner. Keep in mind that it is baked, not fried, and healthy enough to serve the family without worries. Just bring on the mashed potatoes. For added flavor, pair it with a tangy lemon pepper sauce that enhances the dish’s citrusy notes. These lemon pepper baked chicken thighs are not only simple to prepare but also perfect for a family dinner or meal prep.
Are you looking for more chicken recipes? If so, you should definitely try these recipes: Ground Chicken Spaghetti and Chicken Glass Noodles Stir Fry. You may also like this easy weeknight dinner recipe Salmon Kale Quinoa Salad
Jump to:
- Why you will love this recipe
- What You Need to Prepare Your Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
- How to Make Oven-Baked Chicken Thighs
- Ingredients
- Instructions
- Substitutions
- Variations
- Equipment
- Storing Your Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
- Things You Can Do with Leftover Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
- Tips for Preparing the Best Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
- FAQ
- Related
- Pairing
- Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
Why you will love this recipe
Simple and Quick: With minimal prep and just a handful of pantry ingredients, this chicken thigh recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
Flavorful and Zesty: The combination of fresh lemon juice, pepper, and spices creates a bright and tangy flavor that perfectly complements the juicy chicken thighs.
Crispy Skin: Baking at the right temperature gives you irresistibly crispy skin while keeping the meat tender and moist.
Healthy and Versatile: It’s a healthy, protein-packed dish that pairs well with a variety of sides like roasted veggies, rice, or a fresh salad.
Great for Leftovers: The leftovers taste just as good, making it a convenient meal prep option for the week ahead.
What You Need to Prepare Your Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
Want to know how to make lemon pepper chicken? Your chicken thighs should have skin and bones to elevate the flavors to unexpected levels. Chicken breasts are great, but they can lack the juiciness of thighs.
Lemon pepper is the prime seasoning for your lemon pepper chicken thighs. Lemon is a wonderful source of Vitamin C, and black pepper contains important antioxidants to help with digestion.
Additional herbs and spices help bring out the best in your baked lemon pepper chicken.
How to Make Oven-Baked Chicken Thighs
If you’re looking for a flavorful and easy dinner idea, this recipe for lemon chicken thighs is a must-try! The seasoning is critical, so season those thighs with the recommended herbs and spices.
Marinating your healthy baked chicken thighs helps boost the already delectable flavor. Don’t skip this step. Even a short marinating period is better than no marinating at all.
Place your seasoned and marinated chicken thighs on a baking sheet and bake for 30 to 40 minutes until you have crispy baked chicken thighs.
Ingredients
Try making lemon pepper chicken in the oven! This recipe features juicy chicken thighs seasoned with a zesty lemon pepper blend and baked to perfection. Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients for Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs.
- Chicken thighs (skin-on and bone-in): Keeping the skin on and bones in ensures the chicken stays juicy and flavorful.
- Lemon pepper seasoning: A key ingredient that adds the signature tangy and peppery flavor. It’s a blend of dried lemon zest, cracked black pepper.
- Garlic powder: Provides a savory, earthy depth to the seasoning mix, enhancing the overall flavor of the chicken.
- Onion powder: Adds a mild onion flavor without the texture of actual onions, giving a subtle sweetness to balance the tang of the lemon.
- Dried parsley: Adds a pop of color and a slightly herbaceous note to complement the other seasonings.
- Paprika: Adds a mild smokiness and a touch of warmth, as well as a subtle red hue to the chicken.
- Fresh lemon zest: Freshly grated lemon zest boosts the citrusy flavor, making the dish more vibrant and refreshing.
- Fresh lemon juice: Adds acidity and brightens the dish, enhancing the lemony flavor of the seasoning.
- Olive oil: Used to coat the chicken and help it roast to perfection, keeping it moist and adding richness to the dish.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Easy baked chicken thighs are a delicious and flavorful dish that features tender, juicy chicken thighs seasoned with a zesty blend of lemon pepper, garlic, paprika, and herbs. Step wise instructions are below for better understanding.
- Step 1: Combine all the spices into a small bowl.
- Step 2: Mix thoroughly.
- Step 3: Add oil and lemon juice to the lemon pepper seasoning mixture.
- Step 4: Marinade chicken thighs using the prepared marination mixture.
- Step 5: Arrange the marinated chicken thighs in a prepared baking sheet.
- Step 6: Bake at 375 dgrees F for 35-40 minutes.
Hint:To get your baked chicken thighs especially crispy, bake for around 30 minutes (their internal temperature should read 165 degrees). Then raise the oven temperature to 400 degrees for a few minutes to crisp up that skin.
Substitutions
Chicken - You can substitute the chicken thighs with chicken breasts or drumsticks if preferred. Keep in mind that breasts may cook faster, so adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Lemon Pepper Seasoning - If you don't have lemon pepper seasoning, you can create your own by combining lemon zest, freshly ground black pepper, and a pinch of salt.
Olive Oil - Replace olive oil with avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or any neutral oil you prefer.
Paprika - If you don't have paprika, you can use smoked paprika for a deeper, smoky flavor or substitute with chili powder for some added heat.
Vegetarian protein option - Replace the chicken thighs with tofu or cauliflower steaks. Marinate and bake them using the same seasoning mix for a flavorful plant-based dish. Like here
Variations
- Add fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or basil to the marinade for an extra burst of herbal flavor. These herbs pair beautifully with the lemon and pepper.
- If you love a bit of heat, add some crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
- Drizzle a little honey over the chicken thighs before baking or during the last few minutes in the oven. This adds a touch of sweetness and caramelizes the skin beautifully.
Equipment
Here’s the equipment you'll need for making Oven roasted lemon pepper chicken thighs:
Baking tray or sheet pan: Used to place the chicken thighs for baking. Lining it with aluminum foil or parchment paper makes for easier cleanup.
Aluminum foil or parchment paper: To line the baking tray for easy cleanup and prevent sticking.
Small bowl: To prepare the seasoning mixture before coating the chicken.
Large mixing bowl: For mixing the seasoning and tossing the chicken thighs with the marinade.
Storing Your Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
It is easy to make more crispy lemon pepper chicken than you need and store it for another time. Just reheat when needed. Before you transfer the chicken into airtight containers, let it cool. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to four days. When you are ready, warm it through (don’t dry it out) in the oven or microwave.
The lemon pepper chicken thighs will last in the freezer for up to four months. Wrap the individual thighs in plastic, then transfer all of them to a freezer bag. Label the freezer bag with the proper date. It gives you something delicious to look forward to.
Things You Can Do with Leftover Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
Fortunately, there is no shortage of how you can use leftover chicken:
- Shred the chicken meat and use it to create a tasty chicken salad for lunch. Add mayonnaise, sliced grapes, and nuts.
- Use the chicken for sandwiches and wraps.
- The leftover chicken is the ideal filling for tacos and enchiladas. Simply heat the chicken and add any additional needed spices.
- Make a chicken stir fry with your favorite vegetables.
- Cook up some chicken fried rice for your next Chinese dinner.
Tips for Preparing the Best Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
Here are some expert tips to make your Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs turn out perfectly:
- Thaw the chicken: Don’t cook the chicken straight out of the refrigerator. Let the thighs sit at room temperature for approximately 15 minutes. This will prevent a cooked outside and an uncooked inside.
- Pat the chicken dry: Ensure the chicken thighs are completely dry before seasoning to help the skin crisp up nicely in the oven.
- Marinate for extra flavor: If you have time, let the chicken marinate in the seasoning mixture for at least 30 minutes or up to a few hours in the fridge. This allows the flavors to penetrate deeper into the meat.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Space out the chicken thighs on the baking sheet to ensure even cooking and crispier skin. Overcrowding can cause steaming instead of roasting.
- Cook skin-side up: Bake the chicken with the skin facing up so it gets crispy and golden. You can also broil the chicken for the last 2-3 minutes to enhance crispiness.
- Use a meat thermometer: For perfectly cooked chicken, use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Rest the chicken: Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to allow the juices to redistribute, keeping the meat moist and tender.
FAQ
Yes of course, instead of baking, you can grill the chicken thighs on a barbecue for a smoky flavor. The grilling method also crisps up the skin nicely.
While marinating your easy baked chicken thighs in lemon juice, herbs, and spices is not an absolute necessity, it does infuse your chicken with incredible flavor inside and out, helping the meat retain needed moisture. Incidentally, marinating works the same magic for chicken breasts, as well.
Of course you can! The lemon pepper seasoning marinade is versatile and can be used on chicken, fish, vegetables, and more for a fresh and zesty flavor!
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs:
Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
Equipment
- Baking sheet pan
- Mixing Bowls
Ingredients
- 6 Chicken thighs Skin on and bone in
- 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasonings
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon fresh lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh parsley to garnish
- Lemon slices to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking tray with aluminum foil and set it aside.
- Pat dry the chicken thighs with a kitchen towel and set them aside.
- In a small bowl, combine the seasonings: lemon pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, salt, paprika, and lemon zest. Mix well.
- Add the lemon juice and olive oil to the seasoning mixture and stir until well combined.
- Place the chicken thighs and the seasoning mixture into a large Ziplock bag. Massage the chicken to ensure it's thoroughly coated with the marinade. If desired, marinate the chicken for a couple of hours for enhanced flavor, or proceed to bake immediately.
- Arrange the chicken thighs on the prepared baking tray and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the skin is golden and crispy.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with rice and vegetables on the side.
Notes
- Let the thighs sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking to ensure even cooking and prevent the outside from overcooking while the inside remains undercooked.
- Adjust the pepper and salt levels according to your taste. You can add more pepper if you like it spicier or more salt if you prefer a saltier seasoning.
Nutrition
If you try this recipe, please leave a STAR rating in the comment section below! Your feedback helps a small blogger like me stay motivated in creating content for my readers. Also, feel free to follow me at Food Exit on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest for the latest recipe updates!
Risa says
We love chicken thigh recipes and I love the flavors here. Can't wait to try this with my family!
Abi Guna says
Thank you so much! Hope your family enjoys it as much as I do 🙂
Risa says
We love chicken thigh recipes and this recipe looks so flavorful and delicious! Definitely putting this on the menu this week.
Abi Guna says
One of the BEST Chicken Recipe to try, let me know how they turn out:)
Eva says
This was so good, I am huge lemon lover so my expectations were high - exceeded!! Thank you.
Abi Guna says
I am so glad you love the recipe! Thanks again!
Jessica says
Tried this recipe today and it came out well! My family loved it ! Thanks !
Abi Guna says
Thank you Jessica! I am so glad your family loved the dish. Happy Cooking!
Pretty says
I have tried many recipes with chicken thighs, but this one is absolutely delicious. Love the balanced taste of lemon and pepper. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Abi Guna says
I am so glad you loved the recipe! Happy cooking!