Description
Baked Lemon Butter Chicken is bright, juicy, and packed with comforting flavor from lemon, butter, garlic, and herbs.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2½ lbs chicken thighs or breasts
- 4 tbsp butter, melted
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C) and lightly grease a baking dish.
- Place chicken in the baking dish in a single layer.
- In a bowl, whisk together melted butter, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, oregano, thyme, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Pour lemon butter sauce evenly over the chicken, turning to coat well.
- Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and golden.
- Optional: broil for 2–3 minutes for lightly browned tops.
- Let rest for 5 minutes, garnish if desired, and serve warm.
Notes
- Leftover dish can be stored refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Use chicken thighs or breasts—thighs stay juicier in the bake.
- Optional: broil briefly at the end for a golden top.
- Let the chicken rest 5 minutes before serving to retain juices.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: ≈400 mg
- Fat: ≈34 g
- Saturated Fat: ≈9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ≈23 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: ≈6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: ≈38 g
- Cholesterol: ≈170 mg
Keywords: Baked Lemon Butter Chicken, lemon butter chicken, garlic herb chicken, oven-baked chicken, easy weeknight dinner