This Baked Greek Chicken Thighs recipe is a simple baked chicken entree for casual cooks who love zesty flavors. Olive oil, oregano, garlic, and charred lemon are how to make simple chicken thighs an exciting weekday staple or date-night dinner.
Weeknights and date nights just got easier with Greek roasted chicken thighs paired with Baked Lemon Asparagus or Baked Feta Pasta and salad. These thighs are seasoned and roasted on lemon beds because it adds zesty flavor and prevents the chicken from getting soggy. When served, seasoned charred lemons are also squeezed over the chicken for a zesty flavor explosion. This Greek chicken recipe is honestly perfect for date night, dinner parties, or any weeknight dinner.
Key ingredients
- chicken thighs - bone-in, skin-on (if boneless, cut cooking time in half)
- extra virgin olive oil - or preferred cooking oil
- dried oregano - I don't recommend fresh oregano as it can burn easily
- garlic powder - feel free to use minced fresh garlic for this recipe...and lots of it!
- sea salt - or Kosher salt
- black pepper
- lemons - fresh lemons are what make lemon chicken amazing (avoid using packaged lemon juice)
- fresh parsley - optional but recommended for color and flavor
How to make Greek lemon chicken
Here's how you make this Greek lemon roast chicken (get the full printable recipe below)
- Coat chicken thighs with oil and seasonings.
- Place each thigh on sliced lemon beds.
- Bake 35 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.
- Broil chicken for crispier skin.
- Season and broil the lemon halves.
- Serve and devour!
How long does it take for bone-in chicken to cook?
On average, it takes 30-40 minutes to cook bone-in skin-on chicken thighs at 400°F. The chicken must reach a 165°F minimum internal temperature to be considered safe to eat. If said baking time doesn't get chicken to that temperature, continue baking in 5 minute intervals until it does.
Recipe tips for Greek roasted chicken
- You don't have to marinate the chicken for this recipe. It's totally optional.
- No need to rinse chicken. Doing so only makes more work because it contaminates your surface areas.
- Always thaw frozen chicken completely before baking to prevent under-cooking.
- Always use a meat thermometer to confirm a minimum internal temperature of 165°F for all chicken, no matter what part of the chicken you're cooking.
- If possible, take the chill out of cold chicken by resting 20 minutes at room temperature because it helps meat cook more efficiently and evenly.
- No need to cover bone-in skin-on chicken thighs when baking because covering prevents the skin from getting crispy.
- Chicken thighs are very forgiving are naturally delicious even with only a few seasonings.
Mediterranean side dish ideas
Greek Lemon Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 6 Chicken Thighs, Bone-In Skin-on, patted dry
- 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 Tbsp Dried Oregano
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp Sea Salt
- 1/4 tsp Pepper
- 2 lemons, cut in half crosswise
- 2 lemons, sliced into 12 slices total
- 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley, chopped
Equipment
- mixing bowls
- airtight storage containers
Instructions
Prep chicken and lemons
- Toss CHICKEN THIGHS in a mixing bowl with OLIVE OIL, OREGANO, GARLIC POWDER, SALT, and PEPPER. If time permits, allow chicken to rest 20 minutes at room temperature.
- Place LEMON HALVES on a small baking sheet with drizzle of OLIVE OIL and sprinkle of OREGANO. Set aside.
To bake, preheat oven to 400°F.
- Lay LEMON SLICES on a baking sheet in 6 beds (2 slices each).
- Place seasoned CHICKEN THIGHS on lemon beds and brush excess seasoned oil over the skin.
- Bake 35 minutes, or until a meat thermometer registers 165° F next to the bone.
- (optional) Switch oven to HIGH broil and place thighs 8" under broiler until skin is crispy. Remove and set aside to rest.
- Place seasoned lemon halves 4" under broiler until charred and tender (about 3 minutes).
- Serve chicken thighs warm with charred lemons and PARSLEY garnish.
- To store, allow chicken to cool completely. Refrigerate up to 5 days in an airtight container.
Traci's Notes
- You don't have to marinate the chicken for this recipe. It's totally optional.
- No need to rinse chicken. Doing so only makes more work because it contaminates your surface areas.
- Always thaw frozen chicken completely before baking to prevent under-cooking.
- Always use a meat thermometer to confirm a minimum internal temperature of 165°F for all chicken, no matter what part of the chicken you're cooking.
- If possible, take the chill out of cold chicken by resting 20 minutes at room temperature because it helps meat cook more efficiently and evenly.
- No need to cover bone-in skin-on chicken thighs when baking because covering prevents the skin from getting crispy.
- Chicken thighs are very forgiving are naturally delicious even with only a few seasonings.
Nutrition
Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.
Mandy says
Second time making this recipe it has a lovely taste.. The only thing I changed was adding a sh.t load of garlic both powder and fresh. I also added extra lemons. Thank you for the recipe 🙂
Lol awesome, Mandy! Glad to hear it ... love the garlic add-in too! 🙂 Thanks for the review!
Dan says
I was already hooked on your baked chicken thighs, but the lemon and oregano in this Greek chicken has 100% captured my interest. Thanks for the ALWAYS reliable recipes!
Angela says
An easy and healthy recipe that uses a few great ingredients! The chicken came out so moist. No leftovers here!
Perfect! So glad you loved it like we do 🙂 Thanks!
Michelle says
I've been looking for a Greek lemon chicken recipe and this one tasted exactly like the one I tried in a restaurant years ago. So tender and delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
Yayyy! Restaurant quality meals are so easy to come by right at home. Glad you enjoyed 🙂
Jessie says
I made this last night and everyone loved the lemon, and I am having leftovers for lunch today.
Awesome! Glad you loved it and yayyy leftovers 🙂 Thanks!
Jenn says
This is a delish recipe - the chicken is moist and tender and the lemon is just perfect!
Beth Sachs says
Those chicken thighs are so juicy and tender! I love the sound of the seasoning too.
Thanks Beth!! So glad to hear it 🙂
Kathryn says
This greek lemon chicken was delicious, flavorful and easy! We loved all of the flavors- especially the fresh lemon!
Oh yeahhhh! That fresh lemon is key with these Greek chicken thighs. Thanks so much and glad you enjoyed 🙂
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
I have everything I need for this dish, can’t wait to make it this weekend!
Great, Shadi! Glad you can enjoy this one...thanks!
Beth says
These look so juicy and so easy! My family is definitely going to love this! So excited!
Yay Beth! So glad you can enjoy these...thanks!
Michelle Boule says
We made this for dinner and it was delicious! The chicken was perfectly cooked, moist and well seasoned. Can't wait to make this one again!
Awesome Michelle! Glad you love Greek chicken thighs as much as we do 🙂 Thanks!
JB says
These Greek chicken thighs are perfect, esp for me, the guy who doesn't like cooking to be a production. Love how juicy, flavorful, and easy these are! Another winner KG!
You're so welcome! Yep, this Greek chicken is def all about simple. Glad you love it! Thanks JB 🙂