Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs are the perfect weeknight meal. We’re talking tender and juicy chicken with a deliciously crispy skin that’s loaded with lemon pepper seasoning and a hint of garlic that’s ready to serve in just 30 minutes.
Suitable for Keto, Paleo, Whole30, Low carb, and Gluten free diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.
Cooking chicken thighs is just as easy and versatile as chicken breasts, except they are way more flavorful. Plus, chicken thighs are usually less expensive, which makes them perfect for staying on budget.
Lemon Pepper is a classic seasoning, and just like my Lemon Pepper Chicken Breasts, lemon pepper chicken thighs are a juicy and flavorful baked chicken recipe the whole family is going to love. Just 4 ingredients and 30 minutes are all that’s needed to whip up this delicious dish.
Baked lemon pepper baked chicken thighs are made with boneless thighs, so they cook quickly. And if you’re looking to cut calories, simply remove the skin before seasoning to serve up a healthier version. Plus, like this easy Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs, these thighs are elegant enough for serving to company so it’s the perfect easy meal for entertaining.
Why Make This Recipe
- Fast – Ready to serve in under 30 minutes.
- Flavorful – You’ll love the combination of lemon pepper and garlic.
- Perfect for Entertaining – A great weeknight meal for your family but also are perfect for serving to guests.
- Budget Friendly – Chicken thighs are generally less expensive than chicken breasts and they are so juicy and flavorful.
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken – We selected boneless chicken thighs because they are flavorful and stay juicy. Choose skinless for an even healthier option.
- Lemon Pepper – This versatile seasoning blend is available in the spice aisle of your grocery store.
- Garlic Salt – A bit of garlic adds even more flavor to this recipe. If your lemon pepper blend contains salt, use garlic powder instead.
- Olive Oil – Or use any light, neutral-flavored vegetable oil.
How To Make Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
Get full ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.
- Preheat the oven to 375F / 190C.
- Combine the oil, lemon pepper and garlic salt in a bowl or ziptop bag. Add in the chicken thighs and toss or shake to coat completely.
- Transfer the chicken to a baking dish and sprinkle with additional lemon pepper, desired.
- Bake for 14-20 minutes, or until cooked through.
Note: Always check for doneness with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should be 165F / 74C when inserted into the thickest part of chicken thighs.
How To Make Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs In Air Fryer
- Prepare and season the chicken thighs as directed, then add them to the air fryer basket, being careful not to overlap.
- Sprinkle with additional lemon pepper if desired.
- Cook at 350F / 180C for 15 minutes or until cooked through. Flip over halfway through the cooking time.
Tips For Success
- Check the label of your lemon pepper seasoning to see if it has added salt. If it does, you may want to use garlic powder instead of garlic salt to avoid oversalting the chicken.
- Adjust the cooking time based on the size of the chicken thighs. Thicker thighs will need a few minutes longer while thinner or smaller thighs may cook a little faster.
- Always check for doneness with a meat thermometer. The temperature should be 165F / 74C when inserted into the thickest part of chicken breasts.
- For extra crispy skin, place the chicken under a broiler for a few minutes before serving.
Variations
- Make It Cheesy – Add a little parmesan cheese to the chicken for a boost of flavor.
- Make It Healthier – Remove the skin from the chicken thighs before seasoning to reduce fat.
Budget-Friendly Tips
- Buy Chicken In Bulk – Buy chicken in bulk or when it is on sale to save money. Wrap and store in the freezer for later use.
- Make It A Meal – Add a few affordable sides to turn these chicken thighs into a satisfying meal.
- Make Extra – Make extra thighs and enjoy the leftovers during the week.
Prep Ahead And Storage
- Prep Ahead – Season the chicken and store in the fridge for up to 8 hours or overnight.
- Store – Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and used within 4 days.
- Freeze – Combine the seasonings and raw chicken thighs in a freezer safe bag. Store up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before continuing with the recipe as written.
Meal Prep
- This recipe keeps for 4 days. Eat the first night and enjoy the leftovers all week.
- Serve with rice or mashed potatoes and steamed veggies for a full meal.
- Chop leftover chicken to add to a green salad for a tasty lunch.
- Turn leftover chicken into chicken salad for sandwiches.
- Transform into tasty chicken tacos or use in a casserole.
FAQs
The oil in this recipe is needed to help the seasoning to adhere to the chicken.
You can reduce the calories and fat by using a calorie-controlled cooking spray in place of the oil. Removing the skin from the thighs is another great way to cut back on fat and calories.
Serving Suggestions
- Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice. Combination loved by the whole family.
- Dump and Start Instant Pot Garlic Butter Potatoes. One of my favs.
- Smothered Green Beans makes a complete meal.
More Recipes You May Like
If you love this recipe then why not check out this Lemon Pepper Chicken or Lemon Pepper Wings or family loved Grilled Lemon Oregano Chicken Tenders.
Another option for easy weeknights are these Stovetop Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders and Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Tenders. And for a one pan meal dinner why not try this Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs.
Weight Watchers Points
There are 8 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.
Tools To Make This
Get The Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs Recipe:
Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 8 boneless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt or garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or other vegetable oil
Instructions
Baking Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F / 190C.
- Combine the oil, lemon pepper and garlic salt in a bowl or ziptop bag.
- Add in the chicken thighs and toss or shake to coat completely.
- Transfer the chicken to a baking dish and sprinkle with additional lemon pepper, desired.
- Bake for 14-20 minutes until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165F / 74C.
Air Fryer Instructions
- Prepare the chicken as directed, then add the chicken pieces to the air fryer basket being careful not to overlap.
- Sprinkle with additional lemon pepper.
- Cook at 350F / 180C for 15 minutes or until cooked through. Flip halfway through cooking.
Notes
- For a healthier version remove the skin from the chicken thighs before coating with seasoning. Bake as directed.
- Check the label of your lemon pepper seasoning to see if it has added salt. If it does, you may want to use garlic powder instead of garlic salt to avoid oversalting the chicken.
- Adjust the cooking time based on the size of the chicken thighs. Thicker thighs will need a few minutes longer while thinner or smaller thighs may cook a little faster.
- Always check for doneness with a meat thermometer. The temperature should be 165F / 74C when inserted into the thickest part of the chicken thighs.
- For extra crispy skin, place the chicken under a broiler for a few minutes before serving.
- Storage – keep leftovers refrigerated for 4 days.
- There are 8 WW Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.
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