Craving a delicious, fuss-free meal that brings big flavor to your dinner table with minimal effort? These baked lemon pepper chicken thighs are the answer. This incredibly simple yet satisfying recipe is a staple in my kitchen, perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending hours cooking. With just four core ingredients, a single baking dish, and the magic of a preheated oven, you can achieve chicken thighs with irresistibly crispy skin and incredibly juicy, tender meat, bursting with vibrant lemon and savory pepper notes.

The secret to the succulent texture lies in using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. This cut naturally locks in moisture during baking, ensuring every bite is tender and flavorful. The star seasoning, lemon pepper, delivers that iconic zesty and peppery punch that elevates the chicken without needing a long marinade. For ultimate convenience, I opt for a high-quality store-bought lemon pepper blend, saving precious prep time. A few fresh lemon slices baked alongside the chicken infuse a bright, aromatic citrus essence that complements the seasoning beautifully. The result is a wonderfully flavorful, fuss-free chicken thigh recipe that pairs seamlessly with almost any side dish you can imagine, making it a versatile option for any weeknight.

If you’re a fan of straightforward, delicious chicken thigh recipes, you absolutely must explore my other favorites: these incredibly flavorful oven-baked BBQ chicken thighs and my zesty Buffalo chicken thighs. They are just as easy to prepare and equally satisfying!

Recipe Highlights: Why You’ll Love These Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

• Just 4 Simple Ingredients: This recipe truly lives up to its “easy dinner” promise. You only need bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, a drizzle of olive oil, your favorite lemon pepper seasoning, and a fresh lemon. Minimal ingredients mean less shopping, less fuss, and a quick path to a delicious meal.
• Guaranteed Crispy Skin: Say goodbye to soggy chicken skin! By roasting the chicken skin-side up at a consistent high heat (400°F or 204°C), you’ll achieve that coveted golden-brown, wonderfully crispy skin every single time. It’s all about providing the right environment for the skin to render its fat and crisp up beautifully.
• Unbelievably Juicy Chicken Thighs: The secret to perfectly moist chicken lies in the cut. Using bone-in, skin-on thighs is key. The bone helps conduct heat more evenly, while the skin and fat cap protect the meat, locking in precious moisture as the chicken roasts. This method ensures your chicken turns out exceptionally tender and juicy, never dry.
• Quick & Easy Weeknight Meal: From prep to plate, this meal comes together in under an hour. Most of that time is hands-off baking, leaving you free to prepare simple sides or relax. It’s the ideal solution for busy evenings when you want a home-cooked meal without the extensive commitment.
• Versatile Pairing: These lemon pepper chicken thighs are incredibly adaptable. They pair wonderfully with a huge variety of side dishes, from simple roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes to rice, pasta, or a fresh green salad.

Essential Ingredients for Your Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the quality of its few ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need to create truly outstanding baked lemon pepper chicken thighs:

• Chicken Thighs: For optimal flavor and tenderness, always opt for bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. The bone contributes to a richer flavor profile, and the skin, when cooked correctly, becomes wonderfully crispy, protecting the meat underneath from drying out. A total weight of 2 to 2½ pounds (about 4 to 6 thighs) is perfect for serving four people.
• Olive Oil: A good quality olive oil serves multiple purposes in this recipe. It helps the lemon pepper seasoning adhere evenly to the chicken, ensuring every inch is coated with flavor. Furthermore, it aids in achieving that desirable golden-brown color and crispy texture on the chicken skin as it bakes. Extra virgin olive oil offers the best flavor.
• Lemon Pepper Seasoning: This pre-mixed spice blend is the backbone of our flavor. It typically combines dried lemon zest, ground black pepper, and often garlic powder, onion powder, and a touch of salt. Using a store-bought blend is a fantastic time-saver. However, it’s crucial to check the label for salt content. Some blends are salt-free, which means you’ll need to add extra salt to your chicken, as noted in the recipe.
• Fresh Lemon: Beyond being a garnish, fresh lemon adds a bright, essential citrus element to the dish. Thin slices of lemon roasted alongside the chicken release their aromatic oils and juices, infusing the entire dish with a fresh, vibrant flavor that perfectly complements the seasoning.

For precise measurements and detailed ingredient information, please refer to the complete recipe card below.

1. Prepare the Chicken: Thoroughly pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. This step is absolutely crucial for achieving crispy skin, as excess moisture will steam the skin rather than crisp it. Additionally, trim any large, overhanging pieces of skin or excessive fat around the edges. This helps prevent the fat from becoming rubbery and allows the skin to crisp up more effectively during baking.

2. Oil the Chicken: Drizzle the olive oil generously over all sides of the chicken thighs. Use your hands to rub the oil in, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. The oil acts as a binder for the seasoning and helps the skin develop that beautiful golden-brown color and irresistible crispness in the oven.

3. Season Generously: Liberally season the chicken thighs all over with the lemon pepper seasoning. Don’t be shy! Gently press the seasoning into the oiled skin to ensure it adheres well. For maximum flavor penetration, also make sure to season the underside of the chicken. If your lemon pepper seasoning is salt-free, add about ½ teaspoon of salt per pound of chicken at this stage.

4. Arrange in Baking Dish: Place the seasoned chicken thighs in a 9×13-inch baking dish (or a similarly sized rimmed baking sheet) with the skin-side up. Arrange the thin lemon slices around the chicken, allowing them to release their juices and aromas into the pan. It’s important to avoid placing lemon slices directly on top of the chicken skin, as the moisture from the lemons can prevent the skin from getting truly crispy.

5. Bake to Perfection: Transfer the baking dish to your preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. The ultimate indicator of doneness is the internal temperature. Use a reliable meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding the bone. While chicken is safe to eat at 165°F (74°C), dark meat like thighs truly becomes more tender, succulent, and juicy when cooked to a slightly higher temperature, around 175°F (79°C). Keep an eye on the skin for ideal browning, as some lemon pepper blends contain sugar that can brown quickly.

6. Rest and Serve: Once the chicken reaches the desired internal temperature, remove it from the oven. Allow the chicken to rest in the baking dish for at least 5 minutes before serving. This resting period is crucial, as it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in an even more tender and flavorful chicken. If desired, spoon any delicious pan juices that have accumulated in the dish over the chicken for an extra burst of flavor.

Behind the Recipe: My Secret to Stress-Free Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

This baked lemon pepper chicken thighs recipe truly embodies my philosophy for easy weeknight cooking. It’s my absolute go-to when I want a profoundly flavorful, comforting dinner without having to overthink or fuss in the kitchen. The simplicity of just four ingredients means less grocery shopping, quicker prep, and more time for everything else life throws at you.

I typically serve this incredible chicken with super convenient sides like steamed-in-bag frozen green beans (a true lifesaver for speed!) or pre-made mashed potatoes. But honestly, it’s a chameleon on the plate; it tastes fantastic with roasted asparagus, a fresh garden salad, fluffy rice, or even a quinoa pilaf. The bright lemon and robust pepper flavor profile makes it a versatile star that complements a wide array of vegetables and starches.

A Couple of Expert Tips for Consistent Success:

The most important tool in your arsenal for this recipe is a good meat thermometer. While chicken thighs are technically safe to consume at 165°F (74°C), I’ve found that they achieve their peak tenderness and juiciness when cooked slightly longer, reaching an internal temperature of about 175°F (79°C). This extra bit of cooking allows the collagen in the dark meat to break down further, resulting in that melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Also, watch for browning carefully, especially on the skin. Many lemon pepper seasoning blends contain a small amount of sugar (some more than others), which can caramelize and sometimes burn if left unattended. Keep an eye on your chicken, particularly during the last 10-15 minutes of baking. If the skin is browning too quickly, you can loosely tent the dish with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning while the chicken finishes cooking through.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

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Oven Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

Food Safety Guidelines for Cooking Chicken

Ensuring food safety when handling and cooking chicken is paramount to prevent foodborne illness. Please follow these essential guidelines:

• Hygiene is Key: Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before and after handling raw chicken. Similarly, ensure all tools, cutting boards, and surfaces that come into contact with raw poultry are cleaned and sanitized immediately. Consider using a separate cutting board specifically for raw meats to prevent cross-contamination.
• Cook to the Right Temperature: The most critical step for food safety is cooking chicken to a safe internal temperature. While chicken thighs are generally more forgiving, they must reach a minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). As noted in this recipe, for optimal juiciness and tenderness in dark meat, we aim for 175°F (79°C). Always use a reliable meat thermometer to verify doneness, inserting it into the thickest part of the thigh without touching the bone.
• Prompt Refrigeration: Any leftover chicken should be stored promptly. Transfer cooked chicken to an airtight container and refrigerate it within two hours of cooking. This prevents harmful bacteria from multiplying to dangerous levels.
• Avoid Cross-Contamination: Never allow raw chicken juices to come into contact with cooked food or ready-to-eat items. Use separate utensils, plates, and cutting boards for raw and cooked ingredients.

For more comprehensive information and detailed guidelines on safe food handling and preparation, please refer to the resources available at USDA.gov.

More Delicious Chicken Recipes to Explore

If you’ve enjoyed the simplicity and incredible flavor of these baked lemon pepper chicken thighs, you’re in for a treat! Discover other equally fantastic and easy-to-make chicken recipes that are perfect for any occasion: