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lemon pepper chicken

Lemon Pepper Chicken

Juicy, citrusy, and peppery with just pantry basics—this lemon pepper chicken is quick, easy, and bursting with bold flavor.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 265 kcal

Equipment

  • Skillet
  • Meat Thermometer

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 2 teaspoons cracked black pepper
  • teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Optional Garnishes

  • fresh chopped parsley
  • extra lemon wedges for squeezing
HOMECOOKIN Slow Cooker, Extra Large 10 Quart Digital Programmable Slow Cookers with Timer
Ninja Air Fryer with Air Crisp | 5 QT Capacity fits up to 4lbs of Fries | 4-in-1 Pro
Instant Pot 6QT VORTEX Plus Air Fryer, 6-in-1
Cuisinart Stand Mixer, 12 Speed, 5.5 Quart Stainless Steel Bowl, Chef’s Whisk, Mixing Paddle, Dough Hook, Splash Guard w/ Pour Spout, White Linen, SM-50NAS, Manual

Instructions
 

  • Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Trim excess fat if using thighs.
  • Mix lemon zest, black pepper, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika in a bowl.
  • Rub chicken with lemon juice, then coat evenly with the seasoning mix. Let sit for 10 minutes.
  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 5–6 minutes per side until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  • Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

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Notes

For oven-baking: Bake at 400°F for 22–25 minutes. For crispiness, broil the last 2 minutes. Try it in the air fryer at 380°F for 12–15 minutes.
Keyword lemon pepper chicken