Sear-Style Chicken Thighs with Lemon Zest and Rosemary

Tender chicken thighs seared to golden perfection with a bright lemon and rosemary finish, served with roasted vegetables for a satisfying keto meal.

Cuisine: American

Category: Chicken

Prep: 10 minutes. Cook: 25 minutes.

Serves 4.

Ingredients

• 12 oz chicken thighs
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lemon
• 1 tsp fresh rosemary
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat 12 oz chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season evenly with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper on both sides.
2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
3. Step 3: Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the skillet and cook for 5 minutes without moving, until skin is deeply golden and crispy.
4. Step 4: Flip chicken thighs, add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp minced fresh rosemary to the skillet, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Step 5: Squeeze 1 tbsp lemon juice over the chicken and sprinkle with 1 tsp lemon zest (from the same lemon), then transfer the skillet to a preheated oven at 400°F.
6. Step 6: Bake for 15-18 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F, then remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes.