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Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs Easy Lemon Herb Recipe for Dinner

crispy baked chicken thighs - featured image

This recipe delivers juicy, crispy chicken thighs with a bright lemon and herb marinade, perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner without frying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • Zest and juice of 1 medium lemon
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
  • Salt to taste (kosher salt recommended)
  • Black pepper to taste
  • Optional: pinch of smoked paprika or chili flakes

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, chopped rosemary and thyme, salt, black pepper, and optional smoked paprika or chili flakes. Stir to blend.
  3. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove moisture from the skin.
  4. Toss the chicken thighs in the marinade, ensuring each piece is well-coated, especially the skin side. Let sit for at least 15 minutes at room temperature or up to 2 hours in the fridge.
  5. Place a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet and arrange the chicken thighs skin-side up, spaced out for air circulation.
  6. Bake for 35-40 minutes, starting to check at 30 minutes. The skin should be deeply golden and crisp, and internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
  7. Optional: Broil for 2-3 minutes if skin needs extra crispness, watching carefully to avoid burning.
  8. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.

Notes

Pat chicken skin dry before marinating to ensure crispiness. Use a wire rack to allow air circulation and prevent sogginess. Avoid flipping chicken during baking for even crisping. Broil briefly if extra crispness is desired. Marinate up to 2 hours ahead and bring to room temperature before baking. Leftovers reheat best in oven to maintain crisp skin.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy baked chicken thighs, lemon herb chicken, easy chicken dinner, oven baked chicken, healthy chicken recipe, gluten-free chicken, dairy-free chicken