Description
Lemon butter baked chicken brings zesty, tender goodness straight from your kitchen to the dinner table. Crispy skin and juicy meat make this simple recipe a weeknight winner that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 3 pounds bone-in (skin-on) chicken thighs
Butter and Citrus:
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven precisely to 375°F, creating the perfect roasting environment for your succulent chicken thighs.
- Whisk ½ cup melted butter with ¼ cup fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons lemon zest, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon each of thyme and rosemary, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and optional ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes in a large mixing bowl.
- Arrange 3 pounds of bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs in a large baking dish, positioning them skin side up to maximize crispiness.
- Drench the chicken thoroughly with the prepared lemon butter mixture, ensuring each piece receives an even, generous coating.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated 375°F oven and bake for 45-55 minutes, watching for the chicken to reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- For an extra-crispy skin finish, switch your oven to broil and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, monitoring closely to prevent burning.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and allow it to rest for 5 minutes, letting the juices redistribute for maximum tenderness.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the chicken just before serving for a bright, herbal garnish.
Notes
- Let the chicken marinate in the lemon butter mixture for 30 minutes before baking to enhance the flavor penetration and tenderness.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, ensuring perfectly cooked chicken without drying out the meat.
- For a low-carb or keto-friendly version, replace red pepper flakes with a pinch of cayenne pepper and use grass-fed butter.
- Fresh herbs make a huge difference, so opt for fresh thyme and rosemary instead of dried whenever possible.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-58 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 453 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 555 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg