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Easy Chicken Thighs Recipe

Chicken Thighs Recipe
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5 from 1 review

If you love chicken dinners, try this easy boneless chicken thighs recipe with lemon and garlic! The thighs come out seasoned and juicy, using a mix of pan searing and baking. An easy dinner idea done in 30 minutes with minimal ingredients—we’d call that a win!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large boneless chicken thighs, about 1 pound, skin optional, excess fat removed
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 lemon, sliced into rounds
  • 3 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  2. In a small bowl, stir together the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika and Italian seasoning. Place the chicken thighs on a cutting board and sprinkle the seasoning mix on all sides of the chicken thighs.
  3. Add the olive oil to an oven-proof skillet and heat over medium heat. Place the chicken thighs smooth side down and cook without turning, until golden brown, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and remove the chicken to a plate. Place the lemon rounds evenly on the bottom of the skillet and add the smashed garlic on top. Place the chicken thighs on top of the lemons and garlic, seared side up.
  4. Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 14 minutes until cooked through and the internal temperature measures 165°F on a food thermometer when inserted at the thickest point. Remove from the oven and serve warm, with juices from the pan spooned over the top. Leftovers store up to 4 days refrigerated.

Notes

Chicken thighs are more flavorful and forgiving than chicken breasts, meaning they stay juicy even if cooked a little longer. The higher fat content also helps them crisp up beautifully when pan-seared. That said, you can use chicken breast in this recipe too! Make sure to butterfly the chicken breast before making the recipe, then cook slightly less time in the oven, just until the chicken comes to temperature.