Lemon Garlic Chicken
User Reviews
4.5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Additional Time
30 mins
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Total Time
50 mins
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Servings
3 people
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Calories
530 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Lemon Garlic Chicken
Description
This recipe uses chicken thighs with skin left on to enhance both flavor and texture, offering a crispy exterior after cooking. The marinade combines freshly minced garlic, lemon juice and zest, olive oil, honey for sweetness, paprika, chili flakes, cumin, salt, black pepper, and chopped parsley. Marinating for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours allows the chicken to absorb the citrus and spice flavors without becoming mushy.
Cooking can be done by grilling until the chicken is cooked through and the skin chars lightly, or by baking or pan-frying with careful temperature control. The resulting chicken has a tender, juicy center with a pronounced hint of lemon and a crispy, aromatic skin. Lemon slices add a fresh garnish to the finished plate.
Ensure the chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption. Using a meat thermometer helps avoid overcooking. Deboning the thighs ahead of time speeds preparation, or pre-deboned thighs can be purchased. Marinating longer than two hours is discouraged to maintain texture.
Ingredients
- 20 oz (570g) chicken thigh skin on, deboned
- lemon sliced, for garnishing
Marinade:
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin optional, ground
- 1 pinch salt
- 3 dashes black pepper ground
- 1 tablespoon parsley chopped leaves
Instructions
- Debone the chicken thighs, keeping the skin on. If you prefer skinless, you can buy boneless, skinless thighs. Mix all the marinade ingredients in a bowl and whisk to combine well. Marinate the chicken in a bowl or a sealable plastic bag for 30 minutes, or preferably for 2 hours.
- Fire up the grill and grill the chicken on both sides until it’s cooked through and the skin is charred. Alternatively, you can bake the chicken in an oven at 400°F (207°C) for about 15–20 minutes, or pan-fry it in a skillet over medium to low heat. Serve the chicken warm with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Debone chicken thighs before marinating for easier cooking, or buy pre-deboned thighs to save time.
- Keeping the skin on helps achieve a crispier texture and retains moisture during cooking.
- Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, preferably 2 hours, but no longer to avoid mushy meat.
- Cook until the juices run clear and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) to ensure safety and juiciness.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 3people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 530 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 3people | |
| Calories | 530kcal | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 9g | 3% |
| Protein | 31g | 62% |
| Fat | 41g | 63% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 8g | 47% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 20g | 100% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 185mg | 62% |
| Sodium | 164mg | 7% |
| Potassium | 448mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 400IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 8mg | 9% |
| Calcium | 31mg | 3% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.5
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