Baked Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe

Introduction

Baked Lemon Butter Chicken is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender dark meat pieces bathed in a rich, garlicky lemon butter sauce. With its crispy skin and cheesy, creamy sauce, this recipe is perfect for an impressive yet easy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

• 10 dark meat chicken pieces (drumsticks and thighs, trimmed of excess fat)
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp Montreal chicken seasoning blend or any chicken seasoning of choice
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup red onion, minced
• 1/2 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
• 1 tbsp garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Step 2: Add minced red onions to the melted butter and sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in chopped parsley and minced garlic, then add fresh lemon juice and red pepper flakes, mixing well.
4. Step 4: Pour in the chicken stock followed by the Parmesan cheese, stirring until combined, then add the heavy cream.
5. Step 5: Let the sauce simmer for one minute, then remove from heat and allow it to cool slightly.
6. Step 6: While the sauce cools, season the chicken pieces evenly with kosher salt, smoked paprika, and chicken seasoning. Toss to coat well.
7. Step 7: Place the seasoned chicken in a baking dish and pour the lemon butter sauce over the top.
8. Step 8: Bake uncovered at 375°F (190°C) for 1 hour and 45 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through baking.
9. Step 9: Broil the chicken skin-side up until golden brown and crispy.
10. Step 10: Baste the chicken with the sauce one final time before serving and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• For extra crispiness, pat the chicken dry before seasoning to help the skin brown better.
• Feel free to swap parsley with fresh thyme or rosemary for a different herb flavor.
• If you prefer less spice, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.
• Use bone-in skin-on chicken breasts if you want a leaner option, but adjust the bake time accordingly.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 325°F (160°C) to maintain crispy skin, or microwave on medium power if short on time.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of dark meat?

You can use bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts, but keep in mind they may require less baking time and could be less juicy compared to dark meat.

Is it necessary to broil the chicken at the end?

Broiling helps achieve a crispy, golden skin but if you prefer, you can skip this step and serve the chicken directly after baking, though the skin will be less crisp.

Baked Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 154 reviews

This Baked Lemon Butter Chicken is a flavorful dish featuring juicy dark meat chicken pieces marinated with smoked paprika, seasoning blend, and a rich, creamy lemon butter sauce with Parmesan cheese. Perfectly baked until tender and finished under the broiler for a golden brown crust, this recipe combines savory, tangy, and buttery elements in every bite.

• Author: rami
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours
• Yield: Serves 6-8 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 10 dark meat chicken pieces (drumsticks and thighs, trimmed of any excess fat)
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp Montreal chicken seasoning blend or any chicken seasoning of choice

Sauce

• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup red onion, minced
• 1/2 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
• 1 tbsp garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

Instructions

1. Melt Butter and Sauté Onions: In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the minced red onions and sauté for about 2 minutes until they become fragrant and slightly translucent.
2. Add Parsley, Garlic, Lemon and Red Pepper Flakes: Stir in the chopped flat leaf parsley and minced garlic, mixing well to combine. Then add the fresh lemon juice and red pepper flakes to infuse a subtle heat and brightness to the sauce.
3. Add Chicken Stock, Parmesan, and Cream: Pour in the chicken stock, followed by the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir well to incorporate before adding the heavy whipping cream. Continue stirring until the sauce blends evenly.
4. Simmer and Cool Sauce: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer for about a minute, then turn off the heat. Allow the sauce to cool slightly to let the flavors meld and prevent cooking the chicken prematurely.
5. Season Chicken and Combine with Sauce: While the sauce cools, season the chicken pieces thoroughly with kosher salt, smoked paprika, and the chicken seasoning blend. Toss well to evenly coat. Place the seasoned chicken in a baking dish and pour the prepared sauce over it, ensuring all pieces are well covered.
6. Bake Chicken: Bake the chicken uncovered in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Flip the chicken halfway through the baking time to ensure even cooking and flavor distribution.
7. Broil to Finish: After baking, broil the chicken on the skin side until it turns golden brown and crispy, watching carefully to avoid burning.
8. Baste and Serve: Baste the chicken once more with the pan sauce to keep it moist and flavorful. Serve immediately and enjoy this rich and tender baked lemon butter chicken.

Notes

• Use dark meat chicken (drumsticks and thighs) for juicier, more flavorful results.
• Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
• Do not cover the chicken while baking to allow the skin to crispy up during broiling.
• Allow the sauce to cool slightly before pouring over the chicken to prevent partially cooking it prematurely.
• For an extra tangy flavor, you can add a bit more fresh lemon juice before serving.

Keywords: Lemon butter chicken, baked chicken, creamy chicken recipe, Parmesan chicken, easy dinner recipe, chicken thighs, drumsticks, comfort food, chicken bake