Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs
Quick and delicious oven-baked lemon garlic chicken thighs are perfect for a stress-free weeknight meal.
I don’t think chicken thighs get enough love.
I know they have bones and skin to contend with, but that’s where the flavor and juiciness come from. Do your chicken breasts turn out dry unless you soak it in a pound of butter? Thighs would never treat you that way.
Juicy, tender chicken every time.
And frankly, they’re a lot cheaper, too. I often buy ten-pound bags of chicken leg quarters and separate the thighs and drumsticks myself.
That said, you can make this recipe with leg quarters and/or drumsticks as well as thighs.
Ingredients for Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs
Aside from the chicken itself, most of the ingredients you need are likely already in your spice cabinet. While it’s optional, I also include broccoli in this recipe to take care of your vegetables, as well as your protein.
- Chicken thighs. I recommend skin-on chicken thighs, but you can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs.
- Butter
- Garlic
- Salt
- Paprika
- Onion powder
- Black pepper
- Lemon juice
- Lemon zest
- Parsley
- Broccoli
These ingredients, for the most part, can be adjusted to your taste preferences. However, I highly recommend you not sleep on fresh parsley. It adds a subtle flavor you don’t know you’re missing until you add it.
Ideas for other vegetables and ingredient substitutions
As mentioned above, the broccoli is optional. If you just want to bake a protein and not a vegetable, you can leave it out.
You can also swap it for a different vegetable.
Some great options are:
- Cauliflower
- Asparagus
- Brussels sprouts
- Green beans
- Zucchini
Also mentioned above, you can use chicken leg quarters instead of thighs. This recipe calls for six thighs, so you can use 3 to 4 leg quarters.
Other switches could be drumsticks, breasts (I recommend skin-on), or turkey pieces.
If you prefer dairy-free, switch the butter with olive oil
How to make Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs
This is the easy part.
Mix your spices together, rub it all over the chicken, and place it in a greased baking pan.
Melt the butter and garlic together, and simmer for one minute then spoon over the chicken.
Zest a lemon over the top of the chicken, and then squeeze the juice of the lemon over it.
Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.
While the chicken is baking, cut your broccoli crown into florets and chop your parsley.
Take chicken out of the oven and sprinkle with parsley, then wedge broccoli in around the chicken the best you can.
Pro tip: If there’s not enough room in the baking pan for as much broccoli as you need, you can always roast it on a parchment-lined baking sheet instead!
That’s a pretty simple recipe, and it goes well with a side of steamed rice or thyme-roasted sweet potatoes.
FAQ and tips for making lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs
This is a simple recipe that is easy to customize. Here are some guidelines.
How can I make these lemon garlic chicken thighs dairy-free?
Simple! Just switch the butter for light-tasting olive oil or a butter substitute such as Earth Balance.
Can I use other parts of the chicken?
Yes, adjust amounts and baking time for size, and remember that cuts like chicken breasts will be drier. Especially if they’re boneless and skinless, remember that large pieces of bone-in chicken will take longer to bake.
My chicken skin is kinda rubbery; what do I do?
If you want crispier chicken skin, remove the broccoli or, place the chicken in a clean baking pan and put it under the broiler (about six inches away) for about 5 minutes. Watch it carefully, though, as different broilers have different heat settings and could get dark very quickly.
What sides should I serve with lemon garlic chicken thighs?
For the vegetable, I prefer broccoli, however, you can switch it out as you prefer (suggestions above in the ingredient substitutions)
By itself, this recipe makes an excellent low-carb dinner, which may appeal to you if you’re keto.
However, the rest of us probably want a starchy carb. I like steamed brown rice, oven fries, or other roasted potatoes. Sweet potato casserole is also good. You can also never go wrong with spinach mashed potatoes.
How to store Lemon Garlic Chicken
Place leftovers in an airtight container, such as a Rubbermaid container with a tight-fitting lid, and store in the refrigerator for up to five days.
To reheat, place in a baking dish and bake at 350º for 10-15 minutes until heated. You can also microwave leftovers.
More simple main dishes to try
If you like lemon garlic chicken thighs, don’t miss these other easy and wholesome dinner recipes!
Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs
This simple recipe is a great weeknight meal. Packed with flavor and good for you, your whole family will love it.
- Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
- Total Time: 45-60 minutes
- Yield: Varies
Ingredients
- 6 chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 Tablespoons butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- zest of 1 lemon
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 3 cups broccoli florets
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450º
- Place chicken thighs in a baking dish
- Stir paprika, onion powder, pepper, and salt together
- Sprinkle over chicken thighs
- Melt butter and garlic together, and simmer for 45-60 seconds
- Spoon over chicken, and brush to completely coat chicken
- sprinkle with lemon zest, and squeeze juice over the chicken
- Bake in center of oven for 15 minutes
- Remove from oven and add broccoli
- Brush broccoli with oil or butter, or spray with cooking spray (I use olive oil spray)
- Place back in oven and bake another 15-20 minutes until chicken is done through and broccoli is tender.
- Remove from oven, garnish with more parsley if desired, and serve
- Enjoy!
Do you think you could double this and use a sheet pan? I’m assuming that would work okay….
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Good recipe! I do wonder when you want us to add the first bunch of parsley, though, since the recipe says to add more parsley, if desired, but never mentions adding it the first time.
It says to garnish with MORE parsley, but I don’t see it in the recipe before that.