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3-Ingredient Lemon Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 71 reviews

This 3-Ingredient Lemon Chicken recipe combines juicy, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs with vibrant lemon slices, garlic, and olive oil to create a flavorful, crispy-skinned dish baked to perfection. It’s an easy, quick, and delicious meal perfect for busy weeknights or a simple dinner that feels gourmet.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 6 medium bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1 1/2 pounds)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

Lemon and Garlic

  • 1 large lemon, thinly sliced (around 1/8 inch) and deseeded
  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed

Oils

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 450ºF and place a rack in the middle to ensure even baking.
  2. Season the Chicken: Liberally season both sides of the chicken thighs with kosher salt. Allow them to rest at room temperature while preparing the other ingredients.
  3. Prepare Lemon and Garlic: In a 9×13-inch baking dish or rimmed baking sheet, combine the lemon slices, crushed garlic cloves, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Toss gently to mix and coat evenly.
  4. Add Chicken and Oil: Pat the chicken skin dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture. Arrange the thighs in the baking dish over the lemon and garlic mixture, pulling the skin slightly away from underneath so it crisps up during baking. Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the chicken and massage it into the skin for an even coating.
  5. Bake: Bake the chicken at 450°F for approximately 45 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through, skin is golden and crispy, and lemons soften. If the chicken is done but the skin isn’t fully crispy, broil briefly to your desired level of crispiness, watching carefully to prevent burning.
  6. Rest and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes. Serve each thigh topped with the softened lemon slices, garlic, and pan juices for a bright, flavorful finish.

Notes

  • Using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs ensures juicy meat and crisp skin.
  • Patting the chicken skin dry before oiling helps achieve maximum crispiness.
  • Deseeding the lemon slices prevents bitterness during baking.
  • Broiling at the end is optional but helps improve the skin texture if needed.
  • Letting the chicken rest after baking allows juices to redistribute for moist meat.

Keywords: lemon chicken, 3 ingredient chicken, baked chicken thighs, easy chicken recipe, crispy chicken skin

Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/3-ingredient-lemon-chicken-recipe/