Servings
Font
Back
4.8 from 27 votes

Roasted Lemon Chicken Thighs

These roasted lemon chicken thighs are made by pan-searing bone-in thighs until golden, then roasting them in a fresh and preserved lemon sauce with soy, garlic, and thyme.

Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Calories: 768 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: British

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 8 (about 3 lbs) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 5 garlic cloves peeled and crushed with the flat side of a large knife
  • 3 sprigs thyme
  • 1 lemon preferably organic, very thinly sliced (about 1/16 in |1.5 mm thick)
  • 1 store-bought or homemade preserved lemon coarsely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
  • 3 1/2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. In a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high, heat the oil. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper and add them to the skillet with the garlic and thyme. Cook until golden brown all over, 3 to 5 minutes per side.
  3. Pour the vinegar into the skillet and simmer until reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Add the soy sauce and honey, shaking the skillet to mix the sauce.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the water, fresh lemon, and preserved lemons, and bring to a simmer.
  5. Place the skillet in the oven and roast until the chicken is cooked through, registers an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), and the sauce has reduced to a thick syrup, 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of the chicken thighs.
  6. Transfer the chicken to a serving dish and sprinkle with the parsley. Spoon the sauce from the skillet over the chicken. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Crispy skin--For a darker appearance and slightly crispier chicken thighs, you can broil the chicken for the final minute or two of cooking.
  • Storage and reheating--Leftover chicken thighs can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Rewarm in a 350°F oven until heated through.
  • Dietary--This recipe is suitable for a dairy-free diet. To make it gluten-free, use tamari instead of dark soy sauce.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1portion Calories 768kcal (38%) Carbohydrates 19g (6%) Protein 48g (96%) Fat 55g (85%) Saturated Fat 14g (70%) Monounsaturated Fat 25g Trans Fat 0.2g Cholesterol 283mg (94%) Sodium 729mg (30%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 16g (32%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4to 6 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 768

% Daily Value*

Serving 1portion
Calories 768kcal 38%
Carbohydrates 19g 6%
Protein 48g 96%
Fat 55g 85%
Saturated Fat 14g 70%
Monounsaturated Fat 25g 125%
Trans Fat 0.2g 10%
Cholesterol 283mg 94%
Sodium 729mg 30%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 16g 32%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.