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Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs Easy Zesty Lemon Herb Crust Recipe

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This recipe delivers crispy baked chicken thighs with a bright, zesty lemon herb crust that is easy to prepare and perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 pounds or 700 grams)
  • Zest of 1 medium lemon
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs (about 50 grams)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin recommended)
  • Salt to taste (about 1 teaspoon)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top.
  2. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, lemon zest, parsley, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Drizzle in olive oil and mix until crumbs are evenly coated and slightly clumpy.
  4. Press the lemon herb mixture firmly onto the skin side of each chicken thigh to form a thick crust.
  5. Arrange the chicken thighs skin side up on the wire rack, spaced evenly to allow air circulation.
  6. Bake for 35-40 minutes, checking at 30 minutes for doneness. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) and the crust should be golden brown and crispy.
  7. If the crust is not crispy enough, broil for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
  8. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Pat chicken skin dry thoroughly to ensure crispiness. Use a wire rack to allow air circulation and even crisping. For gluten-free, substitute panko breadcrumbs with almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers. Broil briefly if crust needs extra crispness. Let chicken rest before slicing to keep juices locked in.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy baked chicken thighs, lemon herb chicken, easy chicken recipe, baked chicken thighs, zesty chicken, weeknight dinner, crispy chicken skin

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/crispy-baked-chicken-thighs-easy-zesty-lemon-herb-crust-recipe/