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Crispy Honey Lemon Chicken Thighs

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Golden, crispy chicken thighs are glazed with a tangy honey lemon sauce for a comforting, crowd-pleasing dinner. This easy recipe delivers juicy chicken with a punch of citrus and a sticky-sweet finish, perfect for weeknights or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 lbs)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika (smoked or sweet)
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice (about 1 medium lemon)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
  • Pinch of salt
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
  • Extra lemon slices (optional garnish)
  • Sesame seeds (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
  3. Rub chicken with olive oil and season evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
  4. Heat oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until skin is golden brown and releases easily. Flip and cook another 2 minutes.
  5. Transfer skillet to oven (or move chicken to a baking dish). Bake for 20-25 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 175°F and juices run clear.
  6. While chicken bakes, combine honey, lemon juice, lemon zest, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and pinch of salt in a small saucepan. Simmer over low heat for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened. Set aside.
  7. When chicken is done, brush generously with honey lemon glaze.
  8. Optional: Place under broiler for 2-3 minutes for extra caramelization. Watch carefully.
  9. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
  10. Garnish with chopped parsley, lemon slices, or sesame seeds as desired.

Notes

Pat chicken skin very dry for maximum crispiness. For extra crunch, finish under the broiler but watch closely to prevent burning. The glaze can be made ahead and reheated gently. Recipe is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free; double-check mustard and vinegar labels if sensitive. Leftovers are great in salads or wraps.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken thighs, honey lemon chicken, crispy chicken, easy dinner, oven baked chicken, tangy glaze, weeknight meal, gluten-free, comfort food

Find it online: https://evabake.com/crispy-honey-lemon-chicken-thighs-recipe-easy-tangy-glaze-dinner/