Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs (air fryer oven baked)

Name: Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: asian
Ingredients: 8 chicken thighs; zest of 2 lemons; 2 lemons (juice of 1 lemon, cut the other lemon into slices); 3 tbsp honey; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper (freshly ground); 1 tsp red chili flakes; ½ tsp paprika; ½ tsp garlic powder; ½ tsp mustard powder

Published: Mar 29, 2023 · Modified: May 25, 2025 by Carmen Spillette · This post may contain affiliate links · 6 Comments

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These Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs are seriously next level. They’re juicy, zesty, and packed with flavour. They’re ready in under 45 minutes, made with just a few simple pantry ingredients. You can bake them in the oven or toss them in the air fryer, they will be a new go-to roasted chicken recipe.

best honey garlic lemon pepper chicken thighs

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This oven baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs recipe is the perfect addition to your weekly rotation. It’s easy to make and always a showstopper when served to guests. Made with under 10 simple ingredients, and ready in less than an hour, this is the perfect roasted chicken recipe.

If you love this, then you need to check out my Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders, Balsamic Chicken Breast, and Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts.

Ingredients for Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

chicken thighs
lemons
honey
olive oil
salt and black pepper
mustard powder
smoked paprika
garlic powder
red chili flakes

See recipe card for quantities.

Equipment

large bowl or container
tongs
air fryer (if using)
lemon press
baking tray (if using)

How to make lemon pepper chicken

Top Tips

Pat Dry: The best way to achieve extra crispy skin is to thoroughly pat dry the chicken thighs before coating. This step ensures a juicy meal with perfectly crispy skin.
Broil at the Last 2 Minutes: For a nice char on the top of the chicken and extra crispy skin, broil for the last couple of minutes of the cooking process. It’s the only thing you need for that finishing touch.

How to store and reheat

To store the leftover chicken, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To reheat, preheat the oven or air fryer to medium heat at 350 degrees F. Reheat for 10-15 minutes until warmed through.

How to serve Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

As a busy mom, I tend to keep things simple for dinner and stick to a protein, side, and salad or roasted vegetables. Here are some ideas for these baked chicken thighs:

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Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

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This will be the best Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs you will ever taste. It is so easy and delicious, you can air fry or bake in the oven. This is the perfect weekly roasted chicken thigh dish.

Author: Carmen Spillette
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 8 chicken thighs 1x
Category: main
Method: air fry or bake
Cuisine: asian

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken:

In a small bowl, add the lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, olive oil, black pepper, red chili flakes, paprika, garlic powder, mustard powder and salt.
Toss the chicken thighs until they are evenly coated with the mixture.

Oven-Baked Method:

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Bake the Chicken: Arrange the coated chicken thighs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Place the lemon slices on and around the chicken thighs. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the skin is golden and crispy.
Broil on high at the last 2 minutes of cooking to get a nice crispy skin and char.
Let it rest before serving.

Air Fryer Method:

Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
Arrange the coated chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Place the lemon slices on and around the chicken thighs. Cook for 18-22 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the skin is crispy and golden.
Broil on high at the last 2 minutes of cooking to get a nice crispy skin and char.
Let it rest before serving.