Lemon pepper chicken thighs are juicy pieces of chicken smothered in layers of bright lemon flavor and freshly ground pepper. Using fresh lemon, lemon zest, and lemon pepper seasoning creates a mouthwatering depth of flavor.
Seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian herbs, salt, and black pepper help to add savory umami to balance out the dish.
If you’re looking for a tasty new recipe to try with chicken thighs, lemon pepper baked chicken thighs are an excellent choice. The lemon adds a fresh burst of vitamin C, and the black pepper provides a rich source of antioxidants. Not only is this a healthy dish, but you also get a ton of flavor using staple ingredients that you probably already have on hand.
After a quick marinade, the lemon pepper thighs are baked until they are crispy perfection on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside – ready to be enjoyed by you and your family.
Continue reading and let me introduce you to your new favorite weeknight chicken staple!
Related recipe: hot honey lemon pepper wings
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Quick and easy prep: This dish provides maximum flavor with minimal preparation work, no fancy tools are required. Simply add the seasonings to the chicken thighs, allow to marinate for 30 minutes, and cook. Your delicious baked lemon pepper chicken thighs will be served in no time!
Bright and fresh flavors: Fresh lemon slices and zest combines with lemon pepper, Italian seasoning, black pepper, garlic and onion powder, and smoked paprika to create a bright, yet savory flavor. A touch of sugar helps to balance the tartness. Forget about bland chicken, this recipe will have your mouth watering.
Uses many pantry staples: You likely have many of the ingredients for this recipe already in your pantry or fridge. Olive oil, fresh lemons, and dried seasonings like garlic powder pack a ton of flavor into this tasty lemon pepper chicken.
Tasty yet healthy: This recipe is perfect if you are looking for a healthy chicken recipe that doesn’t skimp on taste. Lemon adds zesty brightness to the dish, while also tenderizing the meat and adding some vitamin C. Black pepper offers antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds.
Ingredients
- Bone-in chicken thighs: For super-moist, ultra-flavorful chicken that doesn’t break the bank choose bone-in chicken thighs.
- Olive oil: Choose a good-quality, substitute with extra-virgin olive oil for the richest flavor. Alternatively, use any cooking oil with a neutral flavor.
- Lemon pepper seasoning: Lemon pepper seasoning is made of dried lemon zest, black pepper, salt, and sometimes other seasonings like onion or garlic powder. It is available at most grocery stores.
- Lemon slices: Choose ripe, fresh lemons for the brightest flavor.
- Lemon zest: Lemon zest adds an even more concentrated lemon flavor and aroma to this chicken dish.
- Italian seasoning: Italian seasoning is a blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, oregano, and rosemary. You can find premade seasonings at most grocery stores. You can quickly mahe your at home using this Italian seasoning recipe from My Active Kitchen.
- Black pepper: Freshly cracked black pepper helps to brighten and intensify the flavors of this dish.
- Onion granules
- Garlic granules: substitute with fresh garlic
- Sugar: Just a little bit of sugar helps to balance out the acidity of the lemon.
- Smoked paprika: substitute with hot or plain paprika. This ingredient is optional but recommended as it doesn't only flavor the dish but makes it more aesthetically pleasing once it is cooked.
- Salt to taste
How to make lemon pepper chicken thighs
Preheat the oven to 400F/200C
Prep the chicken: remove any unwanted fats and skin from the chicken thighs. You can wash the chicken if you prefer but make sure to do so safely. Pat the chicken dry with a kitchen paper towel and transfer it to a Ziploc bag or a bowl.
Season: add olive oil, lemon pepper seasoning, lemon zest and juice, Italian seaoing, onion granules, garlic granules, smoked paprika, salt and black pepper to the chicken in the bag. Seal the Ziploc bag and massage the seasoning into the chicken making sure each chicken is well coated.
Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes for the flavor to meld
Arrange the sliced lemon into a baking sheet
Bake: Arrange the marinated chicken thighs on the lemon slices skin side down and bake for 35-40 minutes. Flip it halfway through until the chicken skin is crispy or the internal temp of the chicken reaches 165F.
Air fryer lemon pepper chicken thighs instructions
Preheat the air fryer to 365F/180C
Follow the oven instruction above to season and marinate the chicken thighs.
Spray the air fryer basket lightly with oil and arrange the chicken thighs skin side down and air fry for 25-30 minutes flipping halfway through the cooking time or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165F /74C
PS: the size of the chicken thighs and the wattage of your air fryer will determine how long you air fry your chicken. What is important is that you cook the poultry to a safe temperature of 165F
Rest the chicken for at least 5 minutes for the juice to redistribute into it before you slice or serve. Enjoy!
What to serve with lemon pepper chicken thighs
Lemon pepper chicken thighs taste so good and can be served in various ways. It is amazing with mashed potatoes, seasoned rice, garlic rice, mac and cheese. and many more.
How to Store and Reheat
Allow the chicken to cool to room temperature for no more than 2 hours. Once the chicken has cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. You can safely store the cooked chicken in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
To reheat your lemon pepper chicken thighs in the oven, preheat the oven to 400°F. Place chicken in an oven-safe dish and bake for 15 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
FAQs
Can I use other cuts of chicken for this recipe
Yes, you can absolutely use other cuts of chicken for lemon pepper chicken! The size of thickness of the cut of chicken used will be a major determinant of how long you will cook. Below is a cooking time guide. Make sure to also have a meat thermometer on hand for accuracy.
- For boneless chicken thighs, cook for 25-30 minutes at 400°F.
- Bone in chicken thighs for 35-40 minutes at 400°F.
- For chicken breasts, cook for 25 minutes at 400°F.
- For chicken wings, cook for 40 minutes at 375°F.
Note: Chicken needs to reach an internal temperature of 165°F to be safe to eat. Using a meat thermometer ensures that you can feel confident that your chicken has been cooked completely.
Can I serve lemon pepper chicken with rice
Yes, lemon pepper chicken pairs perfectly with rice. The chicken dish is packed with a bright, fresh flavor that will be perfectly complemented by some warm, fluffy rice as a side dish.
How to freeze lemon pepper chicken
Allow the chicken to cool completely at room temperature, and transfer the chicken thighs to an airtight container or a freezer bag. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Once you are ready to use it, let the chicken thaw in the fridge and reheat in the oven or air fryer. Do not microwave from frozen to avoid the chicken drying out, however, you can defrost in the microwave using the defrost function.
More chicken recipes you should try next
Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 Bone-in chicken thighs about 2.2lb
- 2 Tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning
- 2 Lemon sliced into 12 rounds
- Zest of 1 lemon
- ½ Tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ Tablespoon onion granules
- ½ Tablespoon garlic granules
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ Tablespoon Smoked paprika
- Salt to taste
Instructions
Oven Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F/200C
- Prep the chicken: remove any unwanted fats and skin from the chicken thighs. You can wash the chicken if you prefer but make sure to do so safely. Pat the chicken dry with a kitchen paper towel and transfer it to a Ziploc bag or a bowl.
- Season: add olive oil, lemon pepper seasoning, lemon zest, Italian seasoing, onion granules, garlic granules, smoked paprika, sugar, salt and black pepper to the chicken in the bag. Seal the Ziploc bag and massage the seasoning into the chicken making sure each chicken is well coated.
- Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes for the flavor to meld
- Arrange the sliced lemon into a rimmed baking sheet
- Bake: Arrange the marinated chicken thighs on the lemon slices skin side down and bake for 35-40 minutes. Flip it halfway through until the chicken skin is crispy or the internal temp of the chicken reaches 165F.
Air fryer lemon pepper chicken thighs instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 365F/180C
- Follow the oven instruction above to season and marinate the chicken thighs.
- Spray the air fryer basket lightly with oil and arrange the chicken thighs skin side down and air fry for 25-30 minutes flipping halfway through the cooking time or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165F /74C
- PS: the size of the chicken thighs and the wattage of your air fryer will determine how long you air fry your chicken. What is important is that you cook the poultry to a safe temperature of 165F
- Rest the chicken for at least 5 minutes for the juice to redistribute into it before you slice or serve. Enjoy!
Nutrition
And there you have it, a simple and delicious bone-in chicken thigh recipe you can make at home in 30 minutes. As always, if you made this recipe, I would love to hear from you! Kindly rate the recipe 5 star and leave me feedback in the comment section below. Tag me @cheapchickenrecipes on Instagram and save it away to your Pinterest or make it on Tiktok. Please subscribe to the blog if you haven’t for free new recipes in your inbox every week.
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