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Golden-brown seared chicken thighs simmering in a lemon garlic butter sauce in a cast-iron skillet.

Lemon Garlic Chicken: A Simple Recipe for a Perfect Dinner

This easy Lemon Garlic Chicken recipe delivers juicy, pan-seared chicken thighs in a zesty, savory sauce. The perfect one-pan weeknight dinner, ready in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients for a truly unforgettable meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs About 1.5 to 2 pounds total.
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 lemon juiced and sliced for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground

Equipment

  • 1 Large Skillet (Oven-Safe) A 12-inch cast-iron skillet is ideal.
  • 1 Tongs

Instructions
 

  1. Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. Season generously on all sides with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5-7 minutes, until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Flip and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet.
  3. Reduce heat to medium and add the butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer.
  5. Return the chicken to the skillet, skin-side up. Add lemon slices. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through (165°F / 74°C).
  6. Spoon the sauce over the chicken, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve immediately.

Notes

For the best crispy skin, make sure the chicken is as dry as possible before seasoning.
Use fresh lemon juice for the brightest flavor; bottled juice can be bitter.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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