Name: Simple Lemon Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 6 medium bone-in skin-on chicken thighs (approximately 1 1/2 pounds); 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt; 1 large lemon (thinly sliced and deseeded); 4 cloves garlic (peeled and crushed); 3 tablespoons olive oil (divided)

A bright, cozy Simple Lemon Chicken Recipe made with chicken thighs, lemon slices, garlic, olive oil, and salt for an easy, zesty dinner.

So the first time I ever made this Simple Lemon Chicken Recipe, it wasn’t during a calm, peaceful, picture-perfect cooking day. Nope. It was one of those evenings where everything felt a little out of rhythm — not bad, just… weird. I’d come back from a short trip, the kind where you return home feeling refreshed but also slightly disoriented because your house looks different than you remember. I opened the fridge and saw nothing but a lonely lemon, a half-used garlic bulb, and chicken thighs that I swore I bought with a plan in mind but absolutely could not remember.

Remember it later!

Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!

Remember it later!

Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!

And for whatever reason, it reminded me of this moment years ago when I tried a lemon chicken dish at a tiny beachside café — the kind where sand follows you inside and you pretend it’s part of the charm. The dish was stupidly simple, like “why does this taste so good when it looks like almost nothing?” simple. I guess that memory stuck somewhere in my brain, because suddenly I thought, You know what? Let’s make lemon chicken. Just like that. No recipe printed out, no plan, just me, a lemon hanging onto its last good day, and a hopeful mood.

When the chicken came out — golden, crispy in places, with the lemons all soft and caramelized — I remember thinking it tasted like the kind of food you make on a day when you’re trying to take care of yourself in the simplest way possible. And, honestly, that’s why this Simple Lemon Chicken Recipe still feels special to me. It’s easy, sure, but it’s also the kind of easy that makes you feel a little more grounded.

Here’s a quick peek at what’s inside:

Why You’ll Love This Simple Lemon Chicken Recipe?

There are a million lemon chicken recipes out there, I know. But this Simple Lemon Chicken Recipe hits different. It’s the blend of brightness and comfort — like sunshine wrapped in something savory. There’s also something almost healing about cooking something so unfussy. The chicken thighs crisp up beautifully and stay juicy without you hovering over them. The lemons soften into these edible little golden coins that taste way fancier than they look. And the garlic? It turns into this buttery, mellow thing that you’ll fish out of the pan like a reward.

Also — and this is important — it’s just one pan. In a world where everything feels like it requires two bowls, a whisk, three spoons, and a prayer, this Simple Lemon Chicken Recipe is refreshingly drama-free. You toss everything on a baking pan, slide it into the oven, and the oven takes the wheel. What more could you want?

Ingredient Notes:

Let’s talk ingredients, because simple recipes always hide tiny magic in the details.

Chicken Thighs: Bone-in, skin-on thighs are the MVP. They’re more forgiving than breasts and crisp up beautifully. It’s like they know what they’re doing.
Kosher Salt: Essential. Not optional. The salt draws out moisture to help the skin crisp and seasons the meat all the way through.
Lemon: Thin slices melt and soften in the oven. They transform into this bittersweet, almost candy-like citrus bite. Some people pick them out, but I absolutely do not.
Garlic: Use whole crushed cloves so they don’t burn. They roast into little soft nuggets that you’ll want to smash onto everything.
Olive Oil: Helps with browning, crisping, and flavor. Think of it as the recipe’s quiet background support.

How To Make Simple Lemon Chicken?

Let’s walk through how I make this Simple Lemon Chicken Recipe — imagine we’re in the kitchen together, mugs of something warm nearby, baking dishes clattering a little too loudly.

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 450ºF.
Yes, 450ºF. It feels aggressive, but that’s exactly why the skin gets crispy. Trust the heat.

Step 2: Salt the chicken.
Season those thighs well. Both sides. Let them sit out while you prep the lemons and garlic. Kind of like the chicken is easing into the moment.

Step 3: Prep the baking dish.
Take a 9×13-inch dish or baking sheet and toss in the sliced lemons, the crushed garlic, and two tablespoons of olive oil. Mix it all around — nothing fancy, just a quick toss so the lemons don’t all pile up like a citrus traffic jam.

Step 4: Pat the chicken dry and add it.
Use paper towels and get that skin dry-dry. Damp skin does not crisp, no matter how many motivational messages you send it. Place the thighs skin-side up over the lemon-garlic bed. Drizzle the last tablespoon of olive oil on the skin and rub it gently to coat every little corner.

Step 5: Bake.
Roast for about 45 minutes, or until the chicken is golden, the lemons are soft and slightly caramelized, and your kitchen smells like you’ve got your life together. If the skin isn’t as crispy as you want, broil it for a tiny bit — and I mean tiny. Broilers are chaotic creatures and must be watched.

Step 6: Rest and serve.
Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes. Then spoon those softened lemons, garlic pieces, and pan juices right over each thigh. That’s the good stuff — do not skip it.

Storage Options:

Leftovers of this Simple Lemon Chicken Recipe keep surprisingly well. Store them in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge. The flavors deepen, and the lemons get even softer. To reheat, the oven keeps the skin crisp, but the microwave works if you’re tired or it’s late and you’re reheating in pajamas. No judgment.

Want To Save This Recipe?

Enter your email below and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox.

Variations and Substitutions:

This recipe is like a blank canvas — you can riff on it depending on what mood you’re in.

Add rosemary, thyme, or oregano for an herby twist.
Swap lemons for oranges when you want something sweeter.
Add red pepper flakes if you’re feeling bold.
Use wings or drumsticks instead of thighs.
Add sliced shallots or fennel for a slightly fancy restaurant vibe.

What to Serve with Simple Lemon Chicken?

This dish gets along with practically everyone. Some of my favorites:

Fluffy white rice or rice pilaf — the pan juices soak in like a dream.
Roasted potatoes — classic and comforting.
A simple salad — fresh crunch balances the richness.
Steamed veggies — broccoli, asparagus, green beans.
Crusty bread — because scooping sauce with bread is therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use boneless thighs?
Yep. They’ll cook faster and won’t crisp the same, but they’re still great.

Can I use chicken breasts?
You can, but keep an eye on them — breasts dry out faster than thighs.

Why didn’t my skin get crispy?
It’s almost always moisture. Skin must be very dry before roasting.

If you make this Simple Lemon Chicken Recipe, come back and tell me how it went — or if you ended up eating the caramelized lemon slices like candy (I swear I’m not judging). I’d love to hear your version of the story.

Remember it later!

Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!

Remember it later!

Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!

Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:

Georgia Pecan Upside Down Cake

Classic Vanilla Custard Bars

Rich and Savory Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches