Easy Lemon and Rosemary Chicken Thighs
Baked lemon rosemary chicken is so simple to prepare, with an extremely short ingredients list of just 5 essential ingredients, AND it gets rave reviews every time! That’s a triple win for me 🙌🏻 And no, I don’t count olive oil and S&P as ‘unique’ enough ingredients to be worth mentioning, but if you do, we’re only talking 8 ingredients. For maximum flavor, chicken thighs are seared just until browned on both sides, then topped with a mixture of lemon juice and zest, garlic, and fresh rosemary before being finished in the oven. The combination of pan searing and roasting makes the skin super crispy while keeping the meat itself juicy and tender. Since there are so few ingredients in the recipe, searing is essential because it lends so much flavor to the chicken without the need for extra seasonings or spices. Using both lemon juice and zest makes the baked chicken thighs taste distinctly lemony, but in a balanced way and not so much your mouth will pucker. If you prefer an even stronger lemon flavor, amp up the amount of zest.
Ingredients for Lemon Rosemary Chicken
The ingredients list for the lemon and rosemary chicken is very short, sweet, and simple:
Olive oil Chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on) Salt and freshly ground black pepper Garlic Lemon juice and zest Fresh rosemary
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
Can Chicken Breasts Be Used Instead of Thighs?
Yes, the lemon rosemary sauce can be paired with chicken breasts instead of thighs. I recommend bone-in chicken breasts with the skin on rather than boneless skinless breasts for the simple ease that you can essentially follow the same overall gist of the recipe Note that chicken breasts cook a bit quicker than thighs, so you’ll likely pull it from the oven a few minutes sooner (maybe 5 minutes or so but of course you can be the judge of that based on if it’s done or not!).
How to Make Lemon Rosemary Chicken
Lemon garlic rosemary chicken requires around 15 minutes of hands-on prep, and then your oven finishes the job for you. Searing the chicken takes less than 10 minutes and makes the chicken thighs taste like you ordered them in a restaurant, so don’t skip this essential step!
How Do You Know If Baked Chicken Thighs Are Done?
Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs should no longer be pink inside, and when pierced with a fork the juices should run clear. I always use a meat thermometer to test the doneness of my chicken because it’s the only way to be 100% positive that the chicken thighs are done. Insert the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. If the temperature registers 170-175ºF, it’s done. Technically speaking, thighs are safe to consume after being cooked to 165ºF, but they’re better at 170-175ºF. That’s because thigh meat (leg muscles) are worked harder and it takes a bit of a higher temperature to tenderize the meat compared to chicken breast. You can probably pull it at 165-170ºF and let the thighs rest for 5 minutes. Because in those 5 minutes, the carry-over heat from the oven will bring the internal temperature up to 170-175ºF. This is a great way to ensure your chicken thighs are properly baked without them accidentally drying out in the oven!
Recipe Tips
Pat chicken thighs with a paper towel before searing. This removes any excess moisture and ensures maximum crispness after being seared and baked. Sear the chicken for best results. Searing chicken thighs adds color, flavor, and crispness. It completely transforms the dish! Use a meat thermometer to check doneness. Make sure to read the above section about temperatures and that you can pull it when it’s just barely reached the threshold of doneness since carryover cooking will happen even out of the oven while the meat rests. Fresh rosemary is a must! Dried rosemary is more potent in flavor, but is also crunchy in texture. I don’t love using it in marinades for that reason, but it works great in soup and sauces where it has time to soften up! Fresh lemon juice is best. You’ll be using the lemon zest as well, so you might as well buy an actual lemon versus using bottled juice. But of course, if bottled lemon juice is what you have on hand then go ahead and use it. Add additional herbs and spices, if desired. This recipe is perfect as is, but you’re welcome to mix and match herbs if you have more that need to be used up. Oregano, sage, and thyme would all work very well in this recipe. Cumin, paprika or smoked paprika, and cardamom are other options that work nicely, too. Repurpose the leftovers. Leftover lemon and rosemary chicken thighs can be sliced or chopped and added to salads, wraps, sandwiches, soups, and more! This baked lemon rosemary chicken recipe pairs well with roasted veggies, including roasted broccoli, or steamed veggies like green beans, rice, quinoa, mashed potatoes, or an easy green salad.
More Easy Baked Chicken Recipes:
Honey Soy Baked Chicken Thighs — The chicken marinates in the most delectable mixture of soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, and more. The resulting baked chicken is SO tender, juicy, moist, and loaded with Asian-inspired flavors! Even better, this is a one-pan, EASY recipe the whole family will adore! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Baked Teriyaki Chicken and Rice — Chicken, rice, pineapple, and red peppers cook together in one pan for an EASY weeknight dinner that tastes like you’re in Hawaii! The homemade teriyaki sauce adds so much INCREDIBLE flavor! Baked Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs — EASY, juicy, tender chicken thighs with plenty of tangy lime and fresh cilantro! Ready in 30 minutes, starts on the stove, and finishes in the oven! Just a handful of ingredients used and PERFECT for busy weeknights!! Sheet Pan Honey Lemon Chicken Thighs and Roasted Potatoes — Juicy chicken with a honey lemon glaze that’s tangy-sweet and so good! Healthy, fast, so easy, and cleanup is a breeze!! One-Pan Barbecue Chicken and Roasted Sweet Potatoes – Juicy chicken and tender potatoes roasted on one pan!! The barbecue sauce keeps everything super moist and flavorful!! Fast, easy, and zero cleanup! 20-Minute Baked Lime Cilantro Chicken Breasts – Super juicy, EASY, tender chicken that’s ready in 20 minutes and made on ONE sheet pan!! Bursting with robust Mexican-inspired lime cilantro flavors that will make this an automatic family FAVORITE!! Spiced Brown Sugar Chicken and Sweet Potatoes — An EASY sheet pan meal that’s ready in 30 minutes and loaded with layers of flavors from the spice rub, which features a mixture of chili powder, brown sugar, cumin, and more!! Sheet Pan Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Chicken – EASY, HEALTHY, and a great way to enjoy roasted sweet potatoes in less time!! A DELISH one-pan juicy chicken dinner that’s ready in 30 minutes with zero cleanup!! Perfect 20-Minute Oven-Baked Chicken Breasts — Super juicy, flavorful, EASY, and tender baked chicken breasts that are ready in 20 minutes and made on ONE sheet pan!! Nothing complicated or fussy about this PERFECT chicken that everyone LOVES!! 15-Minute Sheet Pan Lemon Pepper Chicken — Fast, EASY, HEALTHY, and loaded with great lemon pepper flavor!! A DELISH one-pan meal with zero cleanup that’s perfect for busy weeknights!! 15-Minute Sheet Pan Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken — Fast, EASY, and loaded with fabulous teriyaki flavor! Tender chicken, juicy pineapple, and crisp-tender veggies make make for a DELISH one-pan meal with zero cleanup. Sheet Pan Baked Salsa Chicken and Potatoes — An EASY dinner that’s ready in 30 minutes and made on ONE pan with so much FLAVOR!! The salsa keeps the chicken so juicy for a winner-winner-chicken-dinner that’s perfect for busy nights!!
Baked Parmesan-Crusted Chicken — This Baked Parmesan-Crusted Chicken tastes like it’s been deep fried, but it hasn’t! Even better, it’s ready in under 30 minutes and is easy to whip up at the last minute. Baked Chicken Nuggets with Honey Mustard — These chicken nuggets are coated in a mixture of Panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan, which makes them extra flavorful and crispy! Dunk them in homemade honey mustard or your dipping sauce of choice.
