Yes, Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs are as good as they sound. The flavors of lemon, garlic, and oregano team up for the juiciest, most flavorful chicken dish!
I think chicken thighs are often underrated. They are one of the most inexpensive cuts of meat, rich in iron and protein, and because they are a darker part of the chicken, the thigh meat is ridiculously tender. As a matter of fact, it’s pretty difficult to cook dry chicken thighs. They are available both as boneless and skinless or with the bone and skin intact. In this recipe, we will use bone-in with the skin. Chicken cooked on the bone is more flavorful and juicier than boneless chicken.
You’ll notice this recipe calls for lemon pepper seasoning. It’s a wonderful seasoning, but it’s not always in everyone’s pantry. It’s a simple mixture, usually of dried lemon zest, black peppercorns, and sea salt. As you can imagine, it’s easy to make homemade lemon pepper seasoning; however, purchasing it ready-made keeps life simple. If you make it yourself, you can use a little less oregano or a little more garlic powder. It’s up to you. I sometimes add other seasonings, such as thyme or rosemary. The chicken skin holds all kinds of seasonings really well, so don’t be shy! Enjoy adding fun flavors to your chicken thighs.
Sometimes, people avoid chicken thighs because they are higher in fat than chicken breasts. The thing is, when it comes to chicken, fat equals flavor. Chicken in general, although there is some fat, isn’t as fatty as some other meats. Plus, the white meat (the chicken breast, for example) is a delicious cut but more prone to drying out when cooked than the chicken thighs. Chicken thighs stay moist and have some of the richest flavors on the chicken. When covered in yummy seasonings and baked, they are a quick and delicious meal.
The Secret To Crispy Chicken Thighs
Cooking the chicken thighs in olive oil and then placing them in a 400°F oven will yield crispy chicken thighs. Still, one step that can’t be missed in order to have the crispiest chicken thighs possible is drying them before you do anything else. You would think that adding moisture to the chicken skin would help the seasonings adhere better; however, it’s just the opposite. Drying the chicken thighs gives them a stickier surface. Most importantly, dryness helps the thighs crisp up.
How do I store the chicken?
You can make this dish ahead of time and store leftovers in the refrigerator. Once cooked, allow the chicken thighs to cool. Next, place them in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to four days. You can also freeze chicken thighs in an airtight container or in freezer-safe storage bags for up to four months.
Serving Suggestions
Plenty of side dishes go really well with Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs. Let’s start with potatoes, a classic dish to serve with chicken. A favorite is Smashed Seasoned Potatoes. They have enough kick to keep up with the lemon pepper. Roasted Parmesan Potatoes would also complement the chicken nicely. Let’s not forget our greens. Easy Sauteed Broccoli or a Kale Salad would round out a Lemon Pepper Chicken dish perfectly.
I enjoy bread with a comforting meal like Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs. The sweetness of Honey Wheat Sunflower Bread is perfect with the zesty chicken thighs. Another great bread to serve with a chicken dish is Braided Cardamom.
Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 6 chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, dried oregano, lemon pepper seasoning, and salt.
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure proper seasoning adhesion and crisp skin.
- Rub the seasoning mix evenly over both sides of the chicken thighs.
- Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
- Once the oil is hot, place the chicken thighs skin-side down into the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes or until the skin is golden and crispy.
- Flip the chicken thighs over and transfer the skillet to the preheated oven.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
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