Description
These Lemon Butter Chicken Thighs are juicy, tender, and bursting with rich lemon-garlic flavor. Featuring crispy golden skin and a buttery sauce infused with fresh lemon juice, this easy oven-baked recipe makes a perfect weeknight dinner or a family favorite meal. Simple ingredients and a one-pan method deliver restaurant-quality results right at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs: adds juicy texture and deep flavor
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter: creates a rich and silky sauce
- 3 garlic cloves, smashed: provides aromatic depth and savory flavor
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice: balances richness with citrus brightness
- 1 teaspoon onion powder: enhances the savory notes
- Salt and black pepper: essential for seasoning and bringing flavors together
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped: adds color and freshness for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir in smashed garlic, lemon juice, and onion powder. Set aside.
- Season both sides of the chicken thighs with salt and pepper.
- Heat the remaining tablespoon of butter in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken skin-side down for 3–4 minutes until golden brown.
- Flip the chicken thighs, brush with the lemon-butter mixture, and pour the rest into the skillet.
- Transfer skillet to the oven and bake for 30 minutes, brushing every 10 minutes with pan juices. Chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Remove from oven, drizzle with pan juices, and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor; bottled juice lacks brightness.
- Pat chicken dry before searing to achieve crisp, golden skin.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to check doneness for juicy results.
- Reheat leftovers in the oven to maintain crispness instead of microwaving.
- Can be made dairy-free by substituting olive oil for butter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: Lemon Butter Chicken Thighs, baked chicken thighs, lemon garlic chicken, buttery chicken recipe, oven baked chicken, crispy chicken thighs, weeknight dinner