Description
This Honey Garlic Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs recipe features tender, juicy bone-in chicken thighs seared to a crispy golden finish and baked in a flavorful honey-garlic lemon sauce. It’s an easy, comforting American main course bursting with sweet, tangy, and savory notes, perfect for a quick weekday dinner or a cozy weekend meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Garnish
- Chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare chicken: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken thighs dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure a crisp skin. Season both sides evenly with salt, black pepper, lemon pepper seasoning, and paprika to build flavor.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 4–5 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Flip and cook the other side for an additional 2 minutes to develop color and lock in juices. Remove the skillet from heat.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, honey, fresh lemon juice, soy sauce, and lemon zest until well combined. This will create a vibrant and flavorful glaze for the chicken.
- Combine and bake: Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the seared chicken thighs in the skillet. Transfer the skillet carefully to the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), ensuring it is fully cooked and juicy.
- Serve: Once baked, spoon the pan sauce over the chicken thighs to coat them in the delicious glaze. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired for a fresh touch. Serve hot with your choice of sides such as rice, roasted vegetables, or mashed potatoes.
Notes
- For more intense flavor, marinate the chicken in the honey garlic lemon sauce for 1 to 2 hours before cooking.
- Boneless chicken thighs can be used, but reduce baking time by 5 to 7 minutes to prevent overcooking.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with rice, roasted vegetables, or creamy mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
