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Chicken with Lemon, Garlic and Basil
4.6 from 57 votes

Chicken with Lemon, Garlic and Basil

This recipe delivers browned chicken thighs simmered in a lemony sauce with garlic, onions, and fresh basil. The sauce is enriched with white wine, chicken broth, lemon juice and zest, and a touch of honey, creating a balanced savory and bright flavor. The combination results in tender, juicy chicken with aromatic herbs and a delicate citrus finish.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 4 -6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 6-8 chicken thighs bone in, skin on (about 1 1/2 lb / 0.75 kg)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • kosher salt coarse
  • black pepper freshly ground
  • 6 garlic finely chopped (about 3 tablespoons, cloves
  • 1 onion chopped (about 1/2 cup, small
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup white wine 120 ml, dry
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice from about 1 lemon
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon finely grated (from 1 lemon, zest
  • 2 cups chicken broth 475 ml
  • 1 cup basil leaves torn or coarsely chopped (about 1 large bunch) (more for garnish, fresh
  • 1 lemon thinly sliced, for garnish

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC).
  2. Trim any excess fat from the chicken and pat them dry. Generously season each thigh on both sides with salt and pepper.
  3. Pre-heat a heavy-bottomed skillet or dutch oven on medium-high for a minute and then add the oil. Add the thighs, skin-side down and cook until deeply browned (5-7 minutes). Don’t crowd the pan, work in batches if necessary. Turn and lightly brown other side (3-5 minutes). Remove thighs to a plate and set them aside.
  4. Lower the heat to medium and if the chicken has released a lot of fat, remove most of it, leaving about a tablespoon and a half. Add onions and cook until just soft, 4-5 minutes. Add garlic and stir for one minute more. Add flour and stir it into the onions, cook for 1-2 minutes. Whisk in the wine and let it simmer for 3 minutes while scraping up any brown bits with a wooden spoon. Whisk in the broth, honey, lemon juice and zest and bring to a simmer. Taste sauce for seasoning, add salt and pepper as needed. Stir in half the basil and add back the chicken, skin-side up and place it, uncovered, into the oven. Cook for 25-35 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through (165º F / 74º C on an instant read thermometer). Sprinkle over the rest of the basil, garnish with sliced lemons and serve.