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Close-up of golden brown bone-in chicken thighs surrounded by translucent pan juices, caramelized lemons, and whole roasted garlic cloves. (Greek Lemon Chicken)
FL Recipes

Greek Lemon Chicken: Crispy Thighs with Caramelized Lemons

Master the art of authentic Greek Lemon Chicken. Featuring crispy golden-brown bone-in thighs, caramelized thick lemon slices, whole roasted garlic, and glistening, translucent pan juices in a single dark round baking dish.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Calories: 480
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs about 900g. Ensure patted completely dry.
  • 2 large lemons cut into 1/4-inch (6mm) thick slices.
  • 1 head garlic separated into 10-12 whole peeled cloves.
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 30ml, for searing.
  • 0.75 cup low-sodium chicken broth 180ml, for deglazing and creating pan juices.
  • 1.5 tsp kosher salt 9g.
  • 1 tsp black pepper 2g, freshly cracked.
  • 1 tbsp dried Greek oregano flakes 5g.
  • 2 tbsp fresh green oregano leaves 4g, for garnish.

Equipment

  • 1 Dark round baking dish Essential for proper heat distribution and maximum skin crisping.
  • 1 Digital Meat Thermometer Used to verify internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Method
 

Preparation and Searing
  1. Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. Aggressively season both sides with kosher salt, black pepper, and dried oregano flakes, pressing the rub into the skin.
  2. Heat olive oil in a skillet or stovetop-safe dark round baking dish over medium-high heat. Place chicken skin-side down and sear undisturbed for 6-8 minutes until a deep golden-brown crust forms.
  3. Flip chicken, sear for 2 minutes, then remove to a plate. In the remaining fat, lay thick lemon slices flat. Sear for 1-2 minutes per side until charred. Add whole garlic cloves for the final 30 seconds to blister.
Roasting and Garnishing
  1. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan to form the translucent pan juices.
  2. If using a separate skillet, transfer the juices, lemons, and garlic to a dark round baking dish. Nestle the chicken thighs back in, ensuring the crispy skin stays exposed above the liquid. Bake uncovered at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes until internal temperature hits 165°F (74°C).
  3. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes. Scatter fresh green oregano leaves over the top before serving to preserve their bright color.

Nutrition

Calories: 480kcalProtein: 32gFat: 34gFiber: 2g

Notes

Never pour the broth over the crispy chicken skin; always pour it around the base.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days and reheat in the oven to retain crunch.
Keyword crispy chicken thighs,Greek Lemon Chicken,Roasted Lemon Chicken

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