Baked Chicken Thighs with Lemon Garlic Sauce

 

Baked Chicken Thighs with Lemon Garlic Sauce 

Ingredients:

For the chicken:

• 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika (smoked or regular)
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme

For the lemon garlic sauce:

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tbsp honey (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven:

   • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
   • Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure crispy skin.

2. Season the chicken:

   • Rub the chicken thighs with olive oil.
   • Sprinkle salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, and thyme evenly over the chicken.

3. Sear the chicken (optional but recommended):

   • Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
   • Place the chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 4-5 minutes until golden brown.
   • Flip and cook for another 2 minutes, then remove from heat.

4. Prepare the lemon garlic sauce:

   • In a small bowl, mix the garlic, chicken broth, lemon juice, melted butter, honey, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes.
   • Pour the sauce over the chicken thighs in the skillet or baking dish.

5. Bake the chicken:

   • Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven (or place chicken in a baking dish if not using an oven-safe skillet).
   • Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and the skin is crispy.

6. Garnish and serve:

   • Remove from the oven, spoon some of the sauce over the chicken, and sprinkle with fresh parsley.
   • Serve with rice, roasted vegetables, or mashed potatoes.

Tips:

• For extra crispy skin, broil the chicken for the last 2-3 minutes.
• You can substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs, but reduce the cooking time to about 25 minutes.
• Add baby potatoes or green beans to the baking dish for a one-pan meal.

Enjoy your flavorful lemon garlic chicken thighs!