Glazed Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

Name: Glazed Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tbsp lemon pepper seasoning; 1 tbsp kosher salt; 1 tbsp black pepper, ground; 1 tbsp garlic powder; 1 tbsp onion powder; 1 tbsp paprika; 1/4 cup vegetable oil; 2.5 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs; 4 tbsp unsalted butter; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 3 tbsp honey; 1/4 cup chicken broth; 1 tbsp soy sauce; 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice; 1 lemon, sliced; 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Glazed lemon pepper chicken thighs are bone-in, skin-on thighs coated with a bold lemon pepper rub and finished with a rich butter glaze that caramelizes in the oven. The result is crispy, golden skin and incredibly juicy, flavorful meat.

🌍American 🏷️Glazed chicken 🏷️Chicken thighs 🏷️Lemon pepper chicken 🏷️Baked chicken Sweet and savory

🏷️

🏷️Weeknight dinner

-0:00

TikTok

Total

55 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$29–$48

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

-0:00

TikTok

Ingredients

2 tbsp lemon pepper seasoning
1 tbsp kosher salt
1 tbsp black pepper, ground
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp paprika
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2.5 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
4 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp honey
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 lemon, sliced
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, for garnishoptional

16 Ingredients

Delivery in as fast as one hour.^*

Powered by Instacart

Prices vary by store

^*Service fees apply. Instacart^® and the Instacart logo are registered trademarks of Maplebear Inc. d/b/a Instacart.

Instructions

1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
In a small bowl, combine the lemon pepper seasoning, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
3
Pour the vegetable oil into the spice mixture and stir to form a thick paste.
4
Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. Using your hands, rub the seasoning paste all over each thigh, making sure to get it under the skin.
5
Place the seasoned chicken thighs on a wire rack set over a foil-lined baking sheet.
6
Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the skin is crispy.
7
While the chicken is baking, prepare the glaze. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
8
Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
9
Pour in the honey, chicken broth, soy sauce, and lemon juice. Stir to combine.
10
Add the lemon slices to the pan and bring the sauce to a simmer. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes to slightly thicken.
11
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven. Brush the glaze generously over the top of each chicken thigh.
12
Return the chicken to the oven and broil on high for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully, until the glaze is bubbly and caramelized.
13
Remove from the oven, garnish with the caramelized lemon slices from the pan and fresh parsley, and serve immediately.

Was this recipe helpful?

Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Pat chicken thighs completely dry before applying the rub—moisture prevents skin from crisping. Use paper towels and don't skip this step.
Apply the butter glaze in the final 10–15 minutes of baking so it caramelizes without burning. If thighs brown too quickly, tent loosely with foil.
Let baked thighs rest 5 minutes before serving so juices redistribute and skin stays crispy rather than steaming.

Substitutions

Lemon pepper seasoning → 1 tbsp lemon zest + 1 tbsp fresh cracked pepper mixed into the oil (use fresh lemon for more brightness)
Unsalted butter → ghee or olive oil (olive oil won't brown as deeply but works for flavor)
Vegetable oil → avocado or light olive oil (maintains high smoke point for roasting)

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooled chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat at 325°F for 10–15 minutes to restore skin crispness without drying meat.

Common Questions

How do you get crispy skin on chicken thighs?

Pat the thighs dry before seasoning, use bone-in skin-on pieces, and roast uncovered at a high temperature. The oil in the rub and the rendered chicken fat crisp the skin as it bakes.

Can you use boneless chicken thighs instead?

Yes, but reduce baking time by 10–15 minutes and monitor for doneness at 165°F. Boneless thighs won't develop the same crispy edges as bone-in skin-on pieces.

What temperature should chicken thighs reach?

Internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part, away from bone. Thighs can handle slightly higher temps than breast meat without drying out.

How far ahead can you prep this dish?

Season and rub the thighs up to 4 hours ahead; store uncovered in the fridge to let skin dry slightly for extra crispness. Do not add the butter glaze until ready to bake.