Description
This Baked Lemon Butter Chicken recipe features juicy, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs baked to golden perfection with a tangy lemon butter sauce infused with garlic, thyme, oregano, and paprika. It’s an easy, gluten-free main course that delivers rich flavors and crispy skin, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Sauce & Seasoning
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a baking dish large enough to place the chicken thighs in a single layer.
- Prepare Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure crispy skin. Arrange them skin side up in the prepared baking dish.
- Make Lemon Butter Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, fresh lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, dried thyme, dried oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Coat Chicken: Pour the lemon butter mixture evenly over the chicken thighs, making sure each piece is well coated for maximum flavor.
- Bake: Place the baking dish uncovered in the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, basting the chicken once halfway through the cooking time to keep it moist and flavorful. Bake until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Optional Broiling: For extra crispy and browned skin, broil the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to redistribute juices. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts if preferred, but reduce the cooking time to avoid drying them out.
- Serve with roasted vegetables, rice, or potatoes to soak up the delicious lemon butter sauce.
