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Easy Crispy Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe with Asparagus

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A quick and easy dinner recipe featuring crispy skin chicken thighs infused with lemon and garlic, paired with fresh asparagus for a satisfying and flavorful meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs / 700g)
  • 1 bunch asparagus (about 1 lb / 450g), trimmed
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
  • 2–3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano or thyme (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt, pepper, and dried oregano or thyme on both sides. Let rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  2. Trim the woody ends off the asparagus and toss in a mixing bowl with 1 tablespoon olive oil, a pinch of salt, and half the minced garlic. Set aside.
  3. Zest the lemon using a microplane or grater, then cut in half and squeeze the juice into a small bowl. Keep zest and juice separate.
  4. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Heat until shimmering but not smoking, about 2 minutes.
  5. Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the hot pan. Press lightly with tongs to ensure even contact. Cook without moving for 6-7 minutes until skin is deep golden brown and crisp.
  6. Flip the chicken thighs over. Add remaining garlic to the pan, pour in lemon juice, and sprinkle lemon zest over the chicken. Add red pepper flakes if using. Spoon some pan juices over the chicken.
  7. Nestle the asparagus around the chicken in the skillet. Transfer the skillet to a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C). Roast for 12-15 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and asparagus is tender-crisp.
  8. Remove skillet from oven and let chicken rest for 5 minutes. Spoon pan sauce over chicken and asparagus before serving.

Notes

Patting the chicken skin dry is crucial for crispiness. Do not overcrowd the pan to ensure even searing. If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer chicken and asparagus to a baking dish after searing. Avoid microwaving leftovers to maintain crispy skin; reheat gently in a skillet or oven.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon garlic chicken, crispy chicken thighs, asparagus recipe, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, gluten-free, dairy-free

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