Stovetop Braised Chicken with Lemon and Garlic

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-22 · Updated 2026-05-22

Tender chicken thighs braised in a zesty lemon and garlic sauce, perfect for a comforting weeknight meal. This Mediterranean chicken recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, olive oil, and garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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.

Ingredients

• 6 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then sear chicken skin-side down for 5-6 minutes until golden and crispy, flip and cook for 3 minutes more.
2. Step 2: Remove chicken and set aside. In the same skillet, add 5 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, then pour in 1 cup chicken broth, 1/4 cup lemon juice, and 1 tsp dried oregano. Stir and bring to a simmer.
3. Step 3: Return chicken thighs to the skillet skin-side up, reduce heat to low, cover, and braise for 25 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tender.
4. Step 4: Sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over the chicken before serving for a fresh finish.