The Most Flavorful Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe You’ll Ever Make

If you’re on the hunt for a flavorful, easy-to-make dinner that’s perfect for busy nights, this lemon pepper chicken recipe is the answer. Bursting with zesty lemon, aromatic garlic, and savory seasonings, this dish pairs beautifully with rice or potatoes and is guaranteed to become a family favorite.

If you ask my family what they want for dinner, there’s a good chance they’ll yell back, “baked chicken!” It’s one of those recipes that just works—easy to make, full of flavor, and a guaranteed hit every single time. It’s become a staple in our house because it checks all the boxes: quick, delicious, and kid-approved. And apparently, it’s not just my family who thinks so—this lemon pepper version went viral with nearly 50,000 likes and over a million views. Honestly, I’m not even surprised. It’s really that good.

The magic of baked chicken is in its simplicity. A good seasoning blend, a squeeze of fresh lemon, and a quick sear in the pan are all it takes to turn basic chicken into something next level. The crispy edges, the juicy bite, and that perfect punch of citrus—it’s just chef’s kiss. But the real secret? Letting the flavors speak for themselves. This isn’t one of those over-complicated recipes; it’s the kind of meal you can throw together after work without breaking a sweat (or ordering takeout).

What makes it even better is how versatile it is. Pair it with roasted vegetables, throw it over pasta, or serve it with rice and a side salad—it’s a dinner MVP. When I first shared this recipe, I had no idea it would blow up the way it did. But when you’ve got a meal that’s this good and this easy, it’s bound to take off. So if you haven’t tried it yet, let me just say: this lemon pepper chicken isn’t just a recipe—it’s a game-changer.

What makes this baked chicken so great?

01. Versatility

With minimal chopping and a quick seasoning mix, you’ll have this dish ready to pop into the oven in no time. You can also customize this recipe for many other baked chicken recipes.

02. Family-Friendly

This lemon pepper chicken is a crowd-pleaser that pairs perfectly with rice, potatoes, or a side of roasted veggies. My kids never pass up baked chicken, and this recipe is no different.

03. Flavor-packed

The zesty lemon, Cajun seasoning, and savory garlic butter create a bold, mouthwatering combination you’ll crave again and again.

Picture this: Tender, golden-baked chicken thighs glistening with buttery pan juices, a pop of fresh lemon zest, and the rich aroma of garlic filling your kitchen. This recipe is a simple, satisfying way to bring bold flavors to your dinner table without spending hours in the kitchen.

Everything you need:

Let’s talk about the key ingredients that make this dish shine. Most of these are pantry staples, so you can whip up this recipe anytime.

• Chicken Thighs: Bone-in, skin-on thighs are the star of this recipe. They stay juicy while developing a perfectly crispy skin. Chicken legs would also work great in this recipe.
• Lemon Pepper Seasoning: The zesty, citrusy base that gives this dish its signature flavor.
• Cajun Seasoning: Adds a little spice and depth to balance the lemon.
• Lemons: Zest, slices, and juice give this dish a vibrant, citrusy punch.
• Garlic: Six cloves of minced garlic because there’s no such thing as too much garlic.
• Chicken Broth: The secret to keeping the chicken moist and creating the most flavorful pan juices.
• Butter: Sliced and placed on top for a rich, golden finish.

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400°F. Drizzle chicken with avocado oil (or preferred neutral oil). Generously season the chicken thighs with garlic powder, onion powder, adobo, lemon pepper, Cajun seasoning, oregano, salt, and pepper.

Place the chicken thighs in a baking dish. Top them with sliced onion, lemon slices, minced garlic, and butter. Pour 1 cup of chicken broth into the dish to keep the chicken moist and to create a flavorful base for basting.

Bake the chicken uncovered in a 400°F oven for about 40-50 minutes until chicken reaches minimum internal temp of 165°F.

At the 25-minute mark, start basting the chicken with the juices from the pan. Baste 1–2 more times during the cooking process to keep the chicken moist and golden. Serve the chicken over rice or potatoes, and don’t forget to spoon those delicious pan juices over the top!

More Chicken Recipes:

Lemon Pepper Baked Chicken

This lemon pepper chicken recipe is a quick, flavorful dinner that’s perfect for busy nights. Juicy, bone-in chicken thighs are generously seasoned with a zesty blend of lemon pepper, garlic, and Cajun spices, then baked to golden perfection. With fresh lemon, garlic, and buttery pan juices, this dish pairs beautifully with rice or potatoes for a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American, Cajun

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

• 4 lbs bone-in skin-on chicken thighs (about 8 pieces)
• 1 cup chicken broth low sodium, made with Better Than Bouillon
• 2 tbsp butter sliced
• 6 garlic cloves minced
• 1 small white onion sliced
• 2 small lemons zest of 2, juice of 1, and 1 sliced

Seasoning Blend

• 2 tbsp avocado oil for drizzling
• 1.5 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1/2 tbsp adobo seasoning
• 1 tbsp lemon pepper
• 1/2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 tsp oregano
• Salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Generously season the chicken thighs with garlic powder, onion powder, adobo, lemon pepper, Cajun seasoning, oregano, salt, and pepper. Drizzle with avocado oil to help the seasonings stick.
• Arrange the seasoned chicken thighs in a baking dish. Top with sliced onion, lemon slices, minced garlic, and butter.
•  Pour 1 cup of chicken broth into the baking dish to keep the chicken moist and create a flavorful base for basting.
• Bake the chicken uncovered at 400°F for about 50 minutes.
• At the 25-minute mark, begin basting the chicken with the juices from the pan. Repeat this 1–2 more times throughout the cooking process to ensure juicy, flavorful chicken.
• Serve the chicken over rice or potatoes and drizzle with the flavorful pan juices for a complete meal.

Notes

You can use a mix of chicken cuts, but dark meat like legs and thighs work well. I prefer using bone-in, but if you substitute for boneless, you’d need to adjust the amount of seasonings and cook time accordingly.

 

The chicken is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part, but for more tender thighs, aim for 175°F.

 

To crisp up the skin, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end of cooking.

Keyword chicken recipes, family-favorites, lemon pepper