Description
This Baked Greek Lemon Chicken recipe features tender boneless, skinless chicken thighs marinated in a zesty blend of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, Dijon mustard, and aromatic herbs like oregano, thyme, and dill. Baked to juicy perfection, this dish offers a flavorful Mediterranean-inspired main course that’s easy to prepare and perfect for a wholesome family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Marinade
- Juice of 2 lemons
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 3 teaspoons oregano
- 2 teaspoons thyme
- 1 teaspoon dill
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2–3 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs in a large bowl or a ziplock bag to prepare them for marination.
- Make the Marinade: In a small bowl, thoroughly mix lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, oregano, thyme, dill, paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined to create the flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Pour the marinade over the chicken in the bowl or bag, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Cover the bowl or seal the bag tightly and refrigerate for 2 to 6 hours to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
- Preheat the Oven: When ready to cook, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) to prepare for baking.
- Arrange Chicken for Baking: Transfer the marinated chicken pieces into a large baking dish, spreading them out evenly. Pour any remaining marinade over the top to keep the chicken moist.
- Bake the Chicken: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake the chicken for approximately 40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches between 165 and 175 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Broil for Color: For an appealing golden finish, switch the oven to broil and cook the chicken for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest briefly before serving to retain juices and flavor.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken for at least 2 hours enhances flavor but avoid exceeding 6 hours to prevent the lemon juice from breaking down the meat too much.
- Use a meat thermometer to accurately check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- Broiling at the end gives the chicken a nice color and slight crispness on the edges.
- This dish pairs well with Greek salad, roasted vegetables, or rice pilaf.
- Adjust salt to taste, especially if using salted stock or additional salty sides.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Keywords: Greek lemon chicken, baked chicken thighs, Mediterranean chicken recipe, lemon garlic chicken, healthy baked chicken, marinated chicken
