Description
A simple and flavorful baked lemon pepper chicken recipe featuring juicy chicken legs marinated in lemon pepper seasonings, fresh lemon juice, and garlic powder, then baked to golden perfection. This dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual gathering, garnished with fresh parsley and served with zesty lemon wedges.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 lb chicken legs
Marinade & Seasonings
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon pepper seasonings
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
Garnish
- Parsley (to garnish)
- Lemon wedges (to garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking tray with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top to allow air circulation and even cooking. Set aside.
- Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken legs dry with a kitchen towel to remove excess moisture, ensuring better browning. Transfer them to a large ziplock bag for marinating.
- Add olive oil: Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken legs inside the ziplock bag. Seal the bag and massage gently to coat the chicken evenly with the oil.
- Mix and apply seasonings: Sprinkle the lemon pepper seasoning, fresh lemon juice, salt, garlic powder, and optional lemon zest over the chicken in the bag. Seal and massage the bag again to ensure all the pieces are evenly marinated. Let the chicken marinate for at least 1 hour to absorb the flavors.
- Arrange for baking: Remove the chicken legs from the bag and place them spaced apart on the rack over the prepared baking tray. This setup allows the heat to circulate and crisps the skin.
- Bake the chicken: Put the baking tray in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the chicken is thoroughly cooked, the internal temperature reaches 165°F, and the skin is golden brown and crispy.
- Serve and garnish: Once cooked, transfer the baked chicken legs to a serving platter. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve alongside lemon wedges for an extra citrusy kick.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken for a minimum of 1 hour enhances flavor, but marinating overnight in the refrigerator yields even better results.
- Using a wire rack on the baking tray helps the heat circulate evenly and keeps the chicken skin crispy.
- Make sure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
- Lemon zest is optional but adds extra citrus aroma and flavor.
- Leftover chicken can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
