Description
Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs combine juicy, tender chicken with bright lemon flavor and aromatic black pepper for a quick, easy, and flavorful weeknight dinner. Crispy skin and a perfect balance of citrus and spice make this dish versatile, family-friendly, and sure to become a favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
- 1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure the skin crisps up nicely, then season generously on all sides with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, lemon zest, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
- Heat the Pan: Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. This step is crucial to getting a golden, crispy exterior on the chicken.
- Cook the Thighs Skin-Side Down: Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the hot pan. Resist moving them around so the skin gets a beautiful, deep brown color and crunchy texture. Cook for about 6-8 minutes until the skin is crisp.
- Flip and Finish Cooking: Turn the chicken over and let it cook for another 6-8 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the juices run clear.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the pan and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Finish with an extra squeeze of fresh lemon if desired, then serve hot.
Notes
- Pat the chicken dry to prevent steaming and ensure crispy skin every time.
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best flavor impact.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; give thighs space so they brown evenly.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Let the chicken rest after cooking to keep it juicy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 110mg