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:
-
Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure crispy skin.
-
Season the chicken:
- Rub the chicken thighs with olive oil.
- Sprinkle salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, and thyme evenly over the chicken.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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!