Description
This Juicy Lemon Chicken Recipe delivers tender, flavorful chicken with golden crispy skin and a bright, lemony garlic-herb sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or weekend dinners, it’s easy to prepare and incredibly satisfying. Made in one skillet, it’s versatile, meal-prep friendly, and bursting with citrusy goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ pounds chicken thighs, skin-on, bone-in
- 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (divided: 1 tsp for rub, 2 tsp for sauce)
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided: 1 tbsp for rub, 1 tbsp for skillet)
- 2 garlic cloves, smashed
- 1/4 cup lemon juice (from 1 large lemon)
- 1 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C).
- In a small bowl, mix mustard, 1 tsp lemon zest, oregano, thyme, salt, and 1 tbsp olive oil to create the rub. Coat chicken thighs with this mixture.
- In a separate bowl, combine the remaining 2 tsp lemon zest, lemon juice, and chicken stock. Set aside.
- Heat the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute. Remove garlic, leaving the infused oil.
- Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the skillet. Sear for 2–3 minutes until golden. Flip them over.
- Pour in the lemon-stock mixture and stir to deglaze the pan. Transfer skillet to the oven and bake for 25–35 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 175°F.
- Remove chicken from the pan and cover with foil. Bring remaining liquid to a simmer on the stove.
- In a small bowl, mix butter and flour into a paste. Whisk into the simmering sauce to thicken it.
- Return chicken to the pan, spoon sauce over the top, and serve hot.
Notes
- Use a thermometer to avoid overcooking.
- For boneless chicken, reduce baking time by 5–10 minutes.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for 3–4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- To reheat, bake at 350°F for 15–20 minutes to maintain crispiness.
- For a spicy version, add chili flakes to the rub.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sear and Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 319
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: Varies with salt added
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 127mg
Keywords: Juicy Lemon Chicken Recipe, lemon garlic chicken, easy chicken dinner, one skillet chicken, lemon herb chicken