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Crispy Lemon Butter Chicken Thighs

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A quick and easy recipe featuring crispy skin-on chicken thighs with a tangy lemon butter sauce and fresh thyme, perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 3 pounds / 1.4 kg)
  • Salt and pepper, to season
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried thyme)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (120 ml)
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
  • Optional: fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking.
  4. Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the pan and sear without moving for 6-8 minutes until skin is golden and crispy.
  5. Flip the chicken thighs and cook the other side for 3 minutes.
  6. Remove the chicken temporarily from the pan and set aside.
  7. Lower heat to medium and add butter to the skillet.
  8. When butter melts, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds without burning.
  9. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, chopped thyme, and chicken broth; stir and simmer for 2 minutes, scraping browned bits from the pan.
  10. Return chicken thighs to the pan, skin side up, and spoon sauce over the top.
  11. Transfer skillet to the oven and roast for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  12. Remove from oven and let chicken rest for 5 minutes.
  13. Serve chicken skin-side up with pan sauce spooned over and garnish with fresh thyme or parsley if desired.

Notes

Patting the chicken skin dry before seasoning is crucial for crispiness. Use a heavy-bottomed skillet like cast iron for best results. If skin isn’t crispy enough after baking, broil for 1-2 minutes watching carefully to avoid burning. Rest chicken for 5 minutes after cooking to keep it juicy. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil or vegan butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken thighs, lemon butter chicken, crispy chicken, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food, thyme, skillet chicken

Find it online: https://leilameals.com/crispy-lemon-butter-chicken-thighs-recipe-easy-perfect-dinner-idea/