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/whole 30 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:
1 tbsp salt
1 tbsp paprika
3-4 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tbsp garlic powder
10 chicken drumsticks
1 1/2 tsp black pepper
1 lemon
1/2 large onion or (1 medium)
1 tbsp butter (optional)
How to make baked lemon chicken
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.
- 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
- 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.
I make chicken legs all the time (I buy them at Trader Joe’s, organic and cage free). I will try this method next time I make them.
Let me know how you like them Anna 🙂
I made this for dinner last night and wow-ee was it GREAT! 10/10 would cook again!
So glad you enjoyed the Lemon chicken Ashley! Thank you for leaving such great feedback 🙂
Made this for dinner over the weekend and it was Delicious! A keeper in my recipe file.
Yay! Glad this recipe is a new favorite for you Yolanda! 🙂
SO good!!! My fiance and I LOVED this recipe!
Thank you Lisa! Glad you and your fiancé loved this recipe 🙂
it sounds delicious!! quick question: I have boneless skinless chicken, can I use that? I’ll probably have to change the cooking time right? Cant wait to try it out!!
Hi Melissa, yes you can use boneless skinless chicken, but the cooking time will be different. The meat might be a little more dry in comparison to the drumsticks. Hope you enjoy the recipe 🙂
How long would you suggest cooking the boneless skinless chicken?
Christina, it depends on how juicy you like your chicken. Start with 30 minutes and keep checking for tenderness.
My husband, who has known to be picky about his food, pronounced these to be “delightful” and a keeper. We really liked the spice mix. Yummy!
Thank you Meg! Glad you and your husband enjoyed this recipe 🙂
Thank you for this easy but yet delicious recipe! My husband and our 3 boys really enjoyed it!
Thank you Adriana! Glad your family loved it! 🙂
Sounds delish! Do they pick up a strong onion flavour?
Thank you! The chicken will not pick up a strong onion flavor.
Do you drizzle a little bit of lemon juice over them as well? I feel like just the sliced lemons alone might not really give a lemont flavor.
When the lemon bakes, it releases juices that leak over the meat. But if you prefer a more prominent lemony flavor, you can definitely drizzle a little bit of lemon juice on top of each drumstick.
I made this again and the family loved it. My husband kept saying, “This is REALLY good!” 🙂
Wow that’s awesome Anna 🙂 thank you for the feedback!
Just made tonight easy recipe. ???? Thanks
You’re welcome Dee!
I’m not a big fan of drumsticks but I decided to try this recipe today since I had some in the freezer that my husband bought a while ago. It was a success!! This recipe came out so good! My husband gave it the thumbs up!! I’ll totally save this recipe. Thank you so much for sharing!
Looking forward for more 🙂
Tatiana I’m so glad this recipe was a winner for you and your husband!
Mine it’s in the oven right now! Smells so good…
I added lemon zest to the chicken as well. Can’t wait to eat it!
Yum! Hope you enjoyed the lemon chicken Laura.
Do you leave them covered or uncovered?
Hi Ashante, I leave them uncovered
Do you cover the chicken once it is in oven?
Hi Tasha, no I do not cover it.
Its in the oven now and my house smells amazing. I am sure my taste buds will feel the same as my nose.
Thanks for the recipe!
Thank you Deb! Enjoy!
thank you so much, my husband said this was one of the st meals,I ever cooked! Yum!!
You’re so welcome Kerri! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
I don’t usually comment on recipes like this, but I’ve made these drumsticks so many times, I feel like I probably should. This recipe is seriously a staple in our house. My husband loves it, I love it, and it even works for us when we go paleo. Delicious and easy! Thanks, Dina!!
Ashely thats so great to hear! I’m so glad this has become a staple recipe in your home 🙂
Hello this first time trying this dish I hope my family will like it
Hi Melissa, I hope your family enjoyed it!
I didn’t have any lemons so i utilized limes instead. I added a little chile pepper to add a little kick and squeezed lime juice over the drumsticks as well. Will definitly make this again. Thank you family enjoyed it.
I’m glad you enjoyed the lemon chicken Bianca!
Love this recipe so much!! I served it with brussel sprouts sauteed with bacon and some potato wedges seasoned with parmesan and Italian herbs. Family devoured all of it. This has become our favorite chicken recipe. Thanks so much for sharing! ❤
Thank you for taking the time to write such a kind review Nati!
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
My family always makes these too. We love how quick it is to make.
Thank you so much my husband love the lemon chicken he ate 6 legs.
Also he did the dishes
Thank you
That’s awesome Regina 🙂 Glad he enjoyed them that much lol.
Can I just bake them without browning in skillet first? I’m sure this would affect the time?
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.
Making it tonight and I can’t wait!!
Hi Yolanda, I hope you enjoy the baked lemon chicken 🙂