Description
This Italian Lemon Chicken is a bright and zesty dish packed with citrus flavor and savory herbs. Perfect for busy weeknights or a light and satisfying dinner, it features marinated chicken thighs seared until golden, then simmered in a lemony pan sauce. Serve with pasta, rice, or vegetables for a fresh Italian-inspired meal.
Ingredients
1.5 pounds chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
2 lemons, juice and zest
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup chicken broth or white wine (optional, for sauce)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
2. Add chicken thighs to the bowl and toss until coated. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
3. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add a small amount of olive oil.
4. Sear the marinated chicken thighs for 4–5 minutes on each side until golden and fully cooked.
5. Remove chicken and reduce heat to medium. Add broth or wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up brown bits.
6. Simmer the sauce for 2–3 minutes to reduce slightly.
7. Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon sauce over the top, and simmer for 3–5 more minutes.
8. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
For extra depth, try grilling the marinated chicken instead of pan-searing.
Always use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best flavor—bottled juice doesn’t compare.
Don’t skip deglazing the pan—it’s key to building that delicious sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 130mg