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Crispy Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

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A quick and easy recipe for crispy chicken thighs with a zesty lemon pepper flavor, perfect for weeknight dinners. The skin crisps up beautifully with a bright, fresh lemon finish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs / 700 g)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1.5 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper (coarse grind preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Zest of 1 medium lemon
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure crispiness. Season both sides generously with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and freshly ground black pepper.
  2. Using a microplane or fine grater, zest one lemon and sprinkle the zest evenly over the chicken thighs.
  3. Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Wait until the oil shimmers but does not smoke.
  4. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down carefully into the hot skillet. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary. Let cook undisturbed for 7-9 minutes until the skin is deep golden brown and crispy.
  5. Flip the chicken thighs using tongs and reduce heat to medium. Cook for another 7-8 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). The chicken should feel firm but juicy when pressed.
  6. Remove the pan from heat and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the chicken thighs. Let the heat help the juice soak in for a bright, fresh zing.
  7. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to lock in juices and maintain crisp skin.

Notes

Pat chicken dry thoroughly to ensure crispy skin. Use a hot pan and enough oil. Do not move chicken too soon to allow crust formation. Rest chicken after cooking to keep it juicy. If skin isn’t crispy enough, broil for 1-2 minutes watching carefully. Frozen chicken thighs should be fully thawed before cooking to avoid rubbery skin.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon pepper chicken, crispy chicken thighs, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, lemon chicken, chicken thighs recipe, zesty chicken

Find it online: https://tastypierecipes.com/crispy-lemon-pepper-chicken-thighs-recipe-easy-zesty-flavor-guide/