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Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs with Lemon Herb Crust

crispy baked chicken thighs - featured image
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This recipe delivers crispy, golden baked chicken thighs with a bright lemon herb crust, combining juicy meat and a crunchy texture perfect for quick and flavorful weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (medium-sized)
  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup Japanese-style panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • Additional salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and trim any excess skin or fat if desired.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Toss chicken thighs in this marinade and let sit for 15–20 minutes at room temperature.
  3. While the chicken marinates, mix panko breadcrumbs, lemon zest, parsley, thyme, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish.
  4. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off.
  5. Press each thigh, skin side up, into the panko mixture to coat generously. Place crusted thighs on a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet.
  6. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until crust is golden and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). If no wire rack, place thighs on parchment-lined baking sheet and flip halfway through baking.
  7. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
  8. Optional: Broil for 1–2 minutes if crust needs extra crispiness, watching closely to avoid burning.

Notes

Pat chicken skin dry before marinating for best crispiness. Using a wire rack helps air circulate for even crisping. If no wire rack, flip chicken halfway through baking. Broil briefly if crust is not crispy enough. Rest chicken after baking to keep it juicy. For gluten-free, substitute panko with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes. For dairy-free, omit Parmesan or use a dairy-free alternative.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy baked chicken thighs, lemon herb crust, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, panko crust, juicy chicken thighs

Find it online: https://twinkletaste.com/crispy-baked-chicken-thighs-with-lemon-herb-crust-easy-recipe-for-perfect-flavor/