Lemon Dill Chicken Thighs
Lemon Dill Chicken Thighs feature tender, juicy chicken thighs infused with bright lemon and fragrant dill. This easy and quick recipe delivers perfectly crispy skin and vibrant fresh flavors, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-searing / Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Marinade
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, chopped dill, olive oil, salt, pepper, and optional lemon zest to create a bright and flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs in a resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, coating every piece thoroughly. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, preferably up to 2 hours, to allow flavors to penetrate.
- Preheat Your Cooking Surface: Preheat your pan or oven to medium-high heat; if baking, set the oven to 375°F to ensure crispy skin without drying the meat.
- Cook the Chicken Thighs: Heat a skillet with a bit of olive oil. Place chicken thighs skin-side down first and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden and crispy. Flip and cook another 5-7 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from heat and let it rest a few minutes to retain juiciness and tenderness before serving.
Notes
- Use bone-in, skin-on thighs for best moisture and flavor.
- Marinate for at least 30 minutes but no longer than 2 hours to avoid mushy texture.
- Pat chicken dry before cooking to crisp the skin.
- Cook skin-side down first to lock in flavor and crispiness.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked perfectly to 165°F.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: lemon dill chicken, chicken thighs, easy chicken recipe, quick dinner, gluten free chicken