Lemon Dill Chicken Thighs
A flavorful and easy-to-make Lemon Dill Chicken Thighs recipe that delivers juicy, tender chicken with a bright citrus and fresh herbal taste. Perfect for quick dinners or entertaining, combining simple pantry ingredients for a savory and tangy meal the whole family will enjoy.
- Author: Lilly
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 3-4 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Frying (with optional baking)
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 6 boneless, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 fresh lemons (juice and zest)
- 3 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for cooking
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Optional: a pinch of red pepper flakes
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, chopped dill, olive oil, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes to create a bright, fragrant marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a shallow dish or resealable bag, pour the marinade over them, and let them soak for at least 20 minutes or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator to allow flavors to penetrate.
- Preheat the Pan: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with a splash of olive oil to ensure the chicken skin crisps nicely without sticking.
- Cook the Chicken: Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Place thighs skin-side down in the hot skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden and crispy. Flip and cook for another 5 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving to lock in juices. Garnish with extra fresh dill and lemon slices for a fresh, bright finish.
Notes
- Pat dry chicken skin before cooking for maximum crispiness.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if needed for even browning.
- Use fresh lemon juice for optimal brightness over bottled lemon juice.
- Let the chicken rest after cooking to redistribute juices and keep it moist.
- Reserve some marinade to heat and use as a sauce, but only if it hasn’t touched raw chicken or is thoroughly cooked.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: lemon chicken, dill chicken, chicken thighs recipe, easy chicken dinner, quick chicken recipe, gluten free chicken