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Baked Lemon Butter Chicken

Baked Lemon Butter Chicken That Melts in Your Mouth

Baked Lemon Butter Chicken combines zesty lemon and rich butter for a flavorful dinner that your family will love.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 4 pieces Dark Meat Chicken drumsticks and thighs, trimmed of excess fat
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt adjust based on preference
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika regular paprika can be used if needed
  • 1 tablespoon Montreal Chicken Seasoning or any chicken seasoning blend
For the Sauce
  • 4 tablespoons Butter unsalted preferred
  • 1 medium Red Onion chopped
  • 4 cloves Garlic freshly minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes omit for milder flavor
  • 1 cup Chicken Stock homemade or low-sodium
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Lemon Juice always use fresh
For the Finish
  • 1/2 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese or nutritional yeast for dairy-free
  • 1/2 cup Heavy Whipping Cream or nondairy cream
  • 1/4 cup Flat Leaf Parsley or chives/cilantro for variation

Equipment

  • Skillet
  • Baking Dish
  • meat thermometer

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Trim excess fat from chicken pieces and pat dry with a paper towel.
  2. Combine kosher salt, smoked paprika, and Montreal chicken seasoning. Sprinkle over chicken and let it sit for about 15 minutes.
  3. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Melt butter, then add chopped red onion and sauté until soft. Stir in minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking until fragrant.
  4. Pour in chicken stock and fresh lemon juice, then stir in half of the Parmesan cheese.
  5. Place seasoned chicken in a baking dish, pour sauce over, and sprinkle remaining Parmesan on top. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake for about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
  6. Check chicken at the 1-hour mark for doneness; internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Broil for crispy edges if desired.
  7. Remove from the oven, let rest for 5 minutes, then serve hot with rice or salad.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 35gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 150mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 500mgVitamin A: 400IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Ensure chicken is at room temperature before baking for even cooking. Always check the internal temperature using a meat thermometer.

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