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Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken

This fantastic baked lemon pepper chicken is crispy, citrusy, garlicky, peppery and an absolute cinch to make! There's no doubt it's a tried and true winner, winner chicken dinner. 

Course Entree
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Author Amber

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs chicken thighs
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon zest zest from 3 small lemons
  • 1 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning or poultry seasoning
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 fresh cloves garlic thinly sliced
  • 3 small lemons thinly sliced
  • freshly chopped parsley to garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees (F) and spritz or brush a medium baking sheet with 1/2 tbsp of olive oil. Dry chicken w/ a paper towel. 

    2. In a small bowl, combine lemon zest, pepper, salt, paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic, and onion powder and stir until combined. 

    3. Place the chicken on the baking sheet and heavily sprinkle w/ lemon pepper seasoning and drizzle w/ 1 tbsp olive oil. Flip and move chicken around to coat both sides w/ lemon pepper. Bake, skin side up, for 30-35 minutes. 

    4. Remove pan from oven, add sliced garlic and lemons around the chicken, drizzle garlic and lemons with remaining olive oil, and continue to roast for 5 more minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Make sure the garlic doesn't burn! 

    5. Remove chicken from oven, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve!