Lemon Garlic Roasted Chicken (Print version)

Tender chicken thighs infused with lemon, garlic, and herbs, roasted to juicy perfection.

# What you'll need:

→ Chicken

01 - 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 lbs)

→ Marinade

02 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 4 large garlic cloves, minced
04 - Zest of 1 lemon
05 - Juice of 1 lemon
06 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
07 - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
08 - 1 teaspoon salt
09 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

10 - Fresh parsley, chopped
11 - Lemon wedges

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Position rack in the center of the oven for even heat distribution.
02 - Pat chicken thighs thoroughly dry with paper towels. Place in a large bowl to ensure proper marinade adherence.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper until fully emulsified.
04 - Pour the marinade over the chicken thighs and toss to coat evenly. Allow to marinate for 10 minutes for enhanced flavor penetration.
05 - Arrange chicken thighs skin-side up in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet or in a large ovenproof skillet. Avoid overcrowding for proper crisping.
06 - Roast for 35 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown, juices run clear, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F when measured with a meat thermometer.
07 - Remove from oven and let chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges on the side.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • The skin gets impossibly crispy while the meat stays juicy, no special equipment required
  • Whole family dinner ready in under an hour, including prep time
02 -
  • Crowding the pan creates steam instead of crispiness, so use two baking sheets if needed
  • Broiling for the last 2-3 minutes takes the skin from good to absolutely restaurant-quality
03 -
  • Room temperature chicken cooks more evenly, so let it sit out for 20 minutes before roasting
  • A cast iron skillet holds heat beautifully and creates an even crispier skin than a baking sheet

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