Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
A flavorful dish featuring chicken thighs marinated in a sweet and tangy honey lemon mixture, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 thighs 8 chicken thighs
- 2 lemons Zest of 2 lemons For zesting
- 1 lemon Juice of 1 lemon For marinating
- 1 lemon 1 lemon, cut into slices For garnish
- 3 tablespoons 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
- 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon red chili flakes Adjust for heat preference
- ½ teaspoon ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ½ teaspoon mustard powder
Instructions
Preparation
- Gather all your ingredients and preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, combine honey, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, black pepper, red chili flakes, paprika, garlic powder, and mustard powder. Whisk until well blended.
- Add the chicken thighs to the bowl, ensuring they are thoroughly coated in the marinade. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.
Cooking
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease the air fryer basket.
- Arrange marinated chicken thighs in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet or in the air fryer basket.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or air fry for 25-30 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the skin is crisp and golden brown.
- During the last 10 minutes of cooking, place lemon slices on top of the chicken.
- Check the chicken for doneness using a meat thermometer.
- Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
- Plate the chicken and garnish with additional lemon slices if desired. Enjoy your meal!
Notes
To keep leftovers fresh, cool to room temperature, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days, or freeze for longer storage.