This crispy baked lemon chicken recipe is super easy, quick, and healthy. It’s so tasty you won’t believe its Whole30, Keto and Paleo approved.
This will taste divine with my garlic asparagus on the side.
This recipe was originally posted January 12, 2016, we’ve tweaked it a bit since then. This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
How to Make Baked Lemon Chicken
Lemon chicken is a quick and healthy option for dinner. If you’re one of those people who like to do as little prep work as possible when cooking, this recipe is for you!
This recipe could also be Paleo/Whole30 if you omit the butter. I add the butter because it gives the chicken more flavor. Serve this tasty chicken with mashed potatoes and a salad of your choice.
Ingredients for Baked Lemon Chicken
- Salt
- Paprika
- Olive oil
- Thyme
- Garlic powder
- Chicken drumsticks
- Black pepper
- Lemon
- Onion
- Butter (optional)
Directions
You’ll find the complete, detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here’s a quick overview of the recipe first, with step by step pictures.
1. In a large bowl combine the salt, paprika, thyme, garlic powder, and black pepper.
2. Add the drumstick to the bowl and toss to coat evenly.
3. Slice the lemon and onion.
4. Heat olive oil over high heat in a large skillet and brown each side of the chicken. Don’t fully cook them.
5. Line the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish with the sliced onions.
6. Place the browned drumsticks into the baking dish and add half a slice of lemon and a small slice of butter on top of each drumstick.
7. Bake at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour or an hour and 15 minutes.
How long does it take for drumsticks to cook?
I always cook chicken legs for a little over an hour. You should always cook chicken legs until the internal temperature reaches 180 degrees Fahrenheit. This article from Better Homes and Gardens has a complete list of cooking times and temperatures.
What should I serve with drumsticks?
Drumsticks make a really filling meal, you won’t need to serve much with them. I love serving lighter sides with them like salad and fresh vegetables.
Here are some of my favorite sides to serve with baked chicken legs:
Lemon Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 10 chicken drumsticks
- 3-4 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lemon
- 1/2 large onion or 1 medium
- 1 tbsp butter optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine the salt, paprika, thyme, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Add the drumstick to the bowl and toss to coat evenly.
- Slice the lemon and onion.
- Heat olive oil over high heat in a large skillet and brown each side of the chicken. Don't fully cook them.
- Line the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish with the sliced onions.
- Place the browned drumsticks into the baking dish and add half a slice of lemon and a small slice of butter on top of each drumstick.
- Bake at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour or an hour and 15 minutes.
Nutrition
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Leslie says
Looks tasty!! I’m going to make this tonight for dinner
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Leslie, thank you! I hope you enjoy this lemon chicken recipe 🙂
Manda says
Great recipe! I have made many times following exactly and it comes out great. Recently I didn’t feel like searing in the pan or dealing with splattering oil or clean-up, so I seared them in the oven. The method is linked below but I put the temperature at 480 (100 degrees higher than the cooking time) and kept legs in there for 20 mins at 480, flipping halfway through for even browning. Then I lowered the temperature to 380 (original cook temperature) and roasted them for 55 minutes ( original cook time minus 20 minutes). I used a meat thermometer and they were perfect! I’ve had great success with this method and I don’t have to deal with stove-top clean-up!
Love this recipe thank you for posting! Below is the method I referenced for oven-searing meats…
https://www.livestrong.com/article/460565-how-to-oven-sear-meat/
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you for sharing that Manda! We make this chicken recipe all the time. I am so going to try this method next time 🙂
Lori says
This is a family favorite recipe and I’m including my kids. We make this 1-2 times a month. I double the recipe and it’s great for leftovers. Thanks.
simplyhomecooked says
Lori, that’s so good to hear! Thank you for sharing your kind feedback. I appreciate it so much 🙂
Yolanda Savedra says
Making it tonight and I can’t wait!!
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Yolanda, I hope you enjoy the baked lemon chicken 🙂
RhondaHaley says
Can I just bake them without browning in skillet first? I’m sure this would affect the time?
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Rhonda, you can definitely bake them only in the oven but they will need to bake longer. I’m not sure how much more longer since I’ve always used the browning method.
Regina says
Thank you so much my husband love the lemon chicken he ate 6 legs.
Also he did the dishes
Thank you
simplyhomecooked says
That’s awesome Regina 🙂 Glad he enjoyed them that much lol.
irina khoma says
This is the best recipe I found on drumsticks. I really like the butter and lemons on them 🙂 I lost count how many I made these hehe
simplyhomecooked says
My family always makes these too. We love how quick it is to make.