Description
Baked Lemon Butter Chicken is a succulent, flavorful dish featuring tender dark meat chicken thighs and drumsticks baked in a creamy, tangy lemon butter sauce. Enhanced with smoked paprika, garlic, Parmesan, and fresh herbs, this comforting meal is perfect for family dinners and pairs beautifully with rice or mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 pieces Dark Meat Chicken (Thighs and Drumsticks)
- 1 tbsp Kosher Salt
- 1 tbsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tbsp Montreal Chicken Seasoning Blend
Butter Sauce
- 1/2 cup Butter (melted)
- 1 medium Red Onion (minced)
- 1/4 cup Flat Leaf Parsley (chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 cup Chicken Stock
- 1/4 cup Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1/2 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1/2 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken evenly throughout.
- Prepare the Chicken: Trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs and drumsticks. Season them thoroughly with kosher salt, smoked paprika, and Montreal chicken seasoning to enhance their natural flavors.
- Make the Marinade: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced red onion, chopped flat leaf parsley, garlic, red pepper flakes, chicken stock, fresh lemon juice, grated Parmesan cheese, and heavy whipping cream until well combined to create a rich and tangy sauce.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Place the seasoned chicken pieces into a baking dish. Pour the prepared marinade evenly over the chicken, ensuring each piece is fully coated in the flavorful sauce.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 45 minutes. This slow baking infuses the chicken with moisture and flavors.
- Finish Baking Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes. This step helps achieve a golden, slightly crisp crust on the chicken.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest briefly. Serve warm alongside your choice of rice or creamy mashed potatoes. Garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired for a bright, fresh finish.
Notes
- Using dark meat chicken like thighs and drumsticks ensures more tender and flavorful results than white meat.
- Covering the dish during most of the cooking helps retain moisture and create a creamy sauce.
- The final uncovered baking time crisps the skin for a delicious texture contrast.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with starchy sides like mashed potatoes or rice to soak up the rich sauce.
- Leftovers store well and can be reheated gently on stovetop or in the oven.
