Lemon-Pepper Grilled Chicken Thighs with Herb Butter

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken thighs with a bright lemon-herb crust, finished with a fragrant melted butter glaze. This american-inspired grilling (gluten-free) ready in about 30 minutes pairs chicken thighs, lemon juice, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.1 (14 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 American cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp dried rosemary, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp salt. Rub mixture evenly over 680g chicken thighs, coating all sides, and let marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature.
  2. Step 2: Preheat grill to 375°F (190°C). Grill chicken thighs skin-side down for 10-12 minutes until golden, flip, and grill 8-10 minutes more until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  3. Step 3: Remove chicken from grill and let rest 5 minutes. Whisk 2 tbsp melted butter with 1 tbsp chopped parsley, then drizzle over chicken and serve.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Lemon-Pepper Grilled Chicken Thighs with Herb Butter take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Lemon-Pepper Grilled Chicken Thighs with Herb Butter?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Pepper Grilled Chicken Thighs with Herb Butter?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Lemon-Pepper Grilled Chicken Thighs with Herb Butter for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Lemon-Pepper Grilled Chicken Thighs with Herb Butter gluten-free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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