This Lemon Herb Chicken recipe is both mouthwatering and effortless. It combines the zesty freshness of lemon with a medley of aromatic herbs to create a flavorful dish that strikes the ideal balance between simplicity and sophistication.
If you're tired of making the same old chicken dishes, this simple yet flavorful recipe is one you've got to try! As lemon fans ourselves, we knew this recipe would be a winner for both us and you!
Looking for more easy Chicken recipes? Try Italian Chicken Cutlets, Bacon Wrapped Chicken, and Jamaican Fried Chicken.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Effortless Elegance: This lemon chicken recipe is simple to prepare but delivers restaurant-quality flavors.
Versatile: Perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. The whole family will love it!
Customizable: Easy to adapt with different fresh herbs or seasonings to suit your taste.
Budget-Friendly: This lemon herb chicken recipe uses affordable, easy-to-find ingredients.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Can be marinated in advance for a quick meal later and makes great leftovers. Herb and Lemon Chicken is the perfect meal prep recipe!
Recipe Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this lemon & herb chicken recipe
Ingredient Notes
Chicken thighs: Offer rich flavor and stay juicy through cooking. Their higher fat content compared to breasts ensures that you have tender chicken instead of dry chicken. Boneless skinless chicken thighs, boneless skinless chicken breasts, a whole chicken or chicken breasts can replace bone-in thighs, though their cooking times may vary.
Lemon juice: Adds brightness and helps tenderize the meat.
Lemon pepper seasoning: Gives the chicken a zesty kick and subtle heat. A mix of lemon zest and black pepper can stand in for lemon pepper seasoning.
How To Make Lemon Herb Chicken Step-By-Step
Check out these step-by-step instructions with images. Just so you know, you'll find all the details and exact ingredients of this recipe on the printable recipe card below!
Step 1: Prepare the marinade
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, fresh lemon juice, chopped parsley, lemon pepper seasoning, and salt.
Step 2: Marinate the chicken
Place the chicken thighs in the bowl with the lemon herb marinade. Turn them to coat evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or 4 hours for more flavor.
Step 3: Preheat the oven
About 15 minutes before you're ready to cook, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 4: Prepare for baking
Transfer the marinated chicken thighs to an 8x8 inch baking dish, skin side up. Pour any remaining marinade over the chicken.
Step 5: Bake the chicken
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake the chicken for 35-40 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of each of the chicken pieces reaches 165°F (74°C). Use an instant-read thermometer to check.
Step 6: Broil for crispy skin (optional)
If you want crispier, golden brown skin, switch the oven to broil. Transfer the juices to a separate container and broil for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
Step 7: Rest and serve
Remove your easy lemon herb chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Tips:
Bring chicken to room temperature before cooking for even cooking.
Pat chicken dry before marinating to help seasonings adhere better.
For crispier skin, start with a cold oven and place the chicken in as it preheats.
Let chicken rest after cooking to allow juices to redistribute.
For a more intense lemon flavor, add lemon zest to the marinade.
Marinate your chicken in a zip-top bag for easy cleanup and even coating.
Tricks:
Slash the chicken skin a few times to allow marinade to penetrate deeper.
Baste the chicken with pan juices halfway through cooking for extra flavor.
Flip chicken halfway through cooking if you're using boneless chicken thighs or boneless chicken breasts.
Add a splash of white wine or chicken broth to the baking dish for extra moisture and flavor.
Stuff lemon slices under the skin for a more pronounced lemon flavor.
Storage and Reheating
Store cooled leftovers with their juices in an airtight container or ziplock bag and place them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
For freezing, wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and store them in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
To reheat refrigerated chicken, place them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they are heated through. Cover the casserole dish with foil to prevent the leftover chicken from drying out.
Alternatively, you could microwave the chicken on medium power in 30-second intervals until they become hot.
For frozen chicken, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Avoid refreezing previously frozen chicken.
Additions and Substitutions
Additions:
Add Italian seasonings, rosemary, or fresh thyme for additional herb flavors.
Substitutions:
Parsley: Substitute with cilantro, basil, or dill.
Salt: Use a salt-free herb blend for a low-sodium option.
Your Questions Answered
Absolutely! I recommend grilling the chicken over medium heat for about 6-8 minutes per side, or until they are cooked through.
Don't overcook, use bone-in pieces if possible, and let the chicken rest after cooking.
Add red pepper flakes to the marinade or serve this simple recipe with hot sauce on the side.
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Recipe
Lemon Herb Chicken
Ingredients
Method
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, fresh lemon juice, chopped parsley, lemon pepper seasoning, and salt.
- Place the chicken thighs in the bowl with the lemon herb marinade. Turn them to coat evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or 4 hours for more flavor.
- About 15 minutes before you're ready to cook, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Transfer the marinated chicken thighs to an 8x8 inch baking dish, skin side up. Pour any remaining marinade over the chicken.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake the chicken for 35-40 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of each of the chicken pieces reaches 165°F (74°C). Use an instant-read thermometer to check.
- If you want crispier, golden brown skin, switch the oven to broil. Transfer the juices to a separate container and broil for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Remove your easy lemon herb chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Tina says
We love lemon in our house! This is so delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
Eva says
I love lemon and chicken recipes - I need to try this one for sure. Thanks for the great dinner inspiration!
Risa says
Lemon chicken is one of my favorites, can't wait to try your delicious recipe! This looks so good!