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Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs: Easy Lemon Rosemary Recipe

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A rustic, flavorful recipe for bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs baked with lemon, rosemary, and garlic. This method ensures shatteringly crisp skin and juicy meat using simple ingredients and high-heat baking.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 to 4 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 large sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 3 large cloves fresh garlic
  • 1 large organic lemon
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly cracked black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Pat the chicken thighs thoroughly dry with paper towels to ensure crispiness.
  3. Season both sides of the chicken generously with kosher salt and black pepper.
  4. Finely chop the rosemary leaves and mince the garlic into a paste.
  5. In a small bowl, mix the chopped rosemary, garlic paste, lemon zest, olive oil, and a pinch of salt to create an herb paste.
  6. Rub the herb paste all over the chicken thighs, ensuring it gets under the skin where possible.
  7. Arrange the chicken thighs skin-side up on a prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each piece.
  8. Bake for 20 minutes until the fat renders and the skin starts to turn golden.
  9. Remove the pan from the oven and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the chicken. Add butter if using.
  10. Return to the oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is deeply golden and crispy.
  11. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.

Notes

Patting the chicken dry is crucial for crispy skin. Do not overcrowd the pan, as this causes steaming instead of roasting. If using chicken breasts, reduce cooking time by 10 minutes. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken thighs, baked chicken, lemon rosemary chicken, crispy chicken, easy dinner, gluten-free, low-carb, weeknight meals

Find it online: https://cooksyla.com/crispy-baked-chicken-thighs-easy-lemon-rosemary-recipe/