Succulent Baked Lemon-Garlic Chicken Thighs
Ingredients:
- 8 large bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (approximately 3.5 – 4 lbs)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Zest of 1 large lemon (1 Tbsp), remaining lemon cut into wedges for serving
- 5 garlic cloves, minced, or 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 4 tsp Italian seasoning (store-bought or homemade, see notes)
- 2 tsp paprika
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
- Position the oven rack one level above the center and preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Line a rimmed 18 by 13-inch baking sheet with aluminum foil and place an oven-safe wire cooling rack on top. Spray the cooling rack with non-stick cooking spray.
- In an extra-large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon zest, garlic, Italian seasoning, and paprika.
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels, add them to the bowl with the oil mixture, and toss well to evenly coat.
- Transfer the thighs to the rack on the baking sheet, turning them skin side down. Season with salt and pepper, then turn them skin side up and season again. Ensure there’s space between thighs for even heat circulation.
- Bake in the preheated oven until the skin is golden brown, and thighs register 175 degrees in the thickest portion, approximately 35–45 minutes. If desired, broil* during the last minute or two for crispier skin (keep a close eye on it).
- Serve warm** with lemon wedges for spritzing. Optionally, garnish with 1 Tbsp chopped parsley.
Enjoy the irresistible flavors of these baked lemon-garlic chicken thighs, perfectly seasoned and roasted to perfection! 🍋🍗
Note: Homemade Italian Seasoning – Combine 1 tsp each of dried basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary.
Disclaimer: Make sure to check the accuracy of oven temperatures and cooking times based on your specific equipment and conditions.