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Crispy Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs Recipe with Easy Zesty Lemon Herb Sauce

crispy boneless skinless chicken thighs - featured image

Crispy boneless skinless chicken thighs paired with a bright, tangy lemon herb sauce that balances juicy interior with a crunchy exterior. A quick and easy recipe perfect for weeknights or casual dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, trimmed
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free option)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil (for crisping)
  • Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tbsp)
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tsp dried parsley)
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried thyme)
  • ½ tsp honey or maple syrup
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat the boneless skinless chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
  2. In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
  3. Lightly coat each chicken thigh in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
  4. Place a heavy-bottomed skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Heat until shimmering but not smoking (about 2-3 minutes).
  5. Add the chicken thighs in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding. Cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until the bottom is golden brown and crispy.
  6. Use tongs to flip the chicken thighs and cook for another 4-5 minutes on the other side until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  7. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and loosely cover with foil. Let rest while preparing the sauce.
  8. In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, parsley, thyme, honey, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  9. Spoon the zesty lemon herb sauce generously over the crispy chicken thighs just before serving.

Notes

Pat chicken dry thoroughly for best crispiness. Avoid overcrowding the pan to prevent steaming. Let chicken rest after cooking to lock in juices. Sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated. For extra heat, add red pepper flakes to sauce or flour mixture. Oven-baked version available: bake at 425°F for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy chicken thighs, lemon herb sauce, boneless chicken, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, gluten-free option, healthy chicken