Description

This Easy Lemon Garlic Parmesan Chicken recipe features tender boneless skinless chicken thighs marinated in a zesty blend of lemon juice, garlic, honey, and Parmesan cheese, then baked or air fried to perfection. The combination of bold flavors and simple preparation makes this dish a quick, flavorful option for weeknight dinners or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinade

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
1/4 cup olive oil
1 large lemon, juiced (about 2 tablespoons)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon chili pepper flakes
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Preheat oven or air fryer. Set your oven to 400°F or your air fryer to 375°F to prepare for cooking the chicken evenly.
Prepare the chicken. Rinse the chicken thighs under cold water and pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels. Transfer the dried chicken into a large zip-top bag for marinating.
Make and add the marinade. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, minced garlic, paprika, onion powder, dried oregano, chili flakes, salt, pepper, and grated Parmesan cheese. Pour about three-quarters of this marinade into the zip-top bag with the chicken. Seal the bag and massage the chicken through the bag to coat all pieces evenly. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight for best flavor absorption. Reserve the remaining marinade in the fridge for serving, ensuring it does not contact raw chicken.
Cook the chicken. Arrange the marinated chicken thighs on a baking sheet if baking or place directly in the air fryer basket. Bake in the oven for 17-20 minutes or air fry for 12 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the edges are slightly golden.
Serve with reserved marinade. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a serving plate and drizzle or dip using the reserved marinade for extra flavor. Enjoy immediately.

Notes

For best results, marinate the chicken overnight to deeply infuse flavors.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat at 165°F internal temperature.
If using air fryer, avoid overcrowding the basket for even cooking.
The reserved marinade is for serving only and should not be used for cooking or marinating after raw chicken contact.
Leftover chicken can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: lemon garlic chicken, parmesan chicken, baked chicken thighs, easy chicken recipe, quick dinner, gluten free chicken