Crispy Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken Thighs
A quick and easy recipe for crispy, juicy chicken thighs roasted with fresh lemon, garlic, and herbs, perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds/900g)
- 2 medium lemons, zested and juiced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- 1 small shallot, thinly sliced
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place the oven rack in the middle position.
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme, olive oil, and smoked paprika if using. Stir well to make a marinade.
- Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and toss gently to coat evenly with the marinade. Let sit for 10-15 minutes at room temperature.
- Heat an oven-safe skillet or roasting pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, place the chicken thighs skin-side down. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the skin is golden and crisp, without moving them around.
- Flip the chicken thighs over. Add the sliced shallots around the chicken. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven.
- Roast for 20-25 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is deeply golden.
- Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest in the pan for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
Pat chicken skin dry before seasoning to ensure crispiness. Avoid overcrowding the pan to prevent steaming. Let chicken rest after roasting to keep it juicy. For extra crispy skin, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching carefully to avoid burning. Bone-in thighs keep meat juicier; if using boneless, reduce roasting time by 5-7 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 28
Keywords: chicken thighs, roasted chicken, lemon herb chicken, crispy chicken skin, easy dinner, weeknight meal, garlic, rosemary, thyme