Name: The Best Juicy Lemon Pepper Chicken
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs chicken (I used butterflied drumsticks); 1/2 tbsp lemon pepper seasoning; 3/4 tsp garlic salt; 1/2 tsp onion powder; 1/2 tsp seasoned salt; 1/2 tsp lemon juice; 2 tbsp sour cream (or sub yogurt); 1 tbsp olive oil; parsley (garnish)

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This JUICY Lemon Pepper Chicken recipe is one of my favorite chicken Air Fryer creations.

One of my favorite appliances in my home is my Air Fryer, and if you have one (or 2 Air Fryers like me), you know why! This recipe does SO well in an air fryer, and once you try it you will know why I love it so much! As a mom of three, I love being able to create easy healthy meals in less than 30 minutes with the help of my air fryer. If you aren't Team Air Fryer yet, don't worry, You can also easily make my Juicy Lemon Pepper chicken air fryer recipe in your oven at 380 deg for 20 minutes.

What is the SECRET to Juicy Lemon Pepper Chicken?

The secret to Juicy Lemon Pepper Chicken is the secret or not so secret ingredient. I LOVE using sour cream for this recipe because in addition to making the chicken extra juicy, it also adds an extra layer of flavor compared to yogurt. Yogurt is a healthier option, and sometimes I also use greek yogurt to substitute.

Every Air Fryer is Different.

Not using boneless chicken thighs? Here are some cooking times and instructions for different cuts:

Boneless Chicken Thigh:

Air Fryer (18-20 minutes total) – 380°F for 10 minutes, flip over and cook another 8-10 minutes.

Oven (20-25 minutes total) – 380°F for 10 minutes skin side down, flip over and cook an additional 10-15 minutes skin side up.

Bone In Chicken Thigh:

Air fryer (20-25 minutes total) – 380°F for 10 minutes skin side down, flip over and cook an additional 10-15 minutes skin side up.

Oven Bone in Chicken Thigh:(30-35 minutes total) – 380°F for 10 minutes skin side down, flip over and cook an additional 20-25 minutes skin side up.

Drumsticks:

Air Fryer (20-25 minutes total) - 380°F for 6 minutes, flip over and cook another 6 minutes and flip again and cook for another 8-10 minutes.

Oven (30-35 minutes total) – 380°F for 20 minutes and flip over and cook another 10-15 minutes.

Chicken Breast:

Air Fryer (16-19 minutes total) - 360°F for 10 minutes, flip and cook another 6-9 minutes.

Oven (20-25 minutes total) - 380°F for 10 minutes, flip and cook another 10-15 minutes.

If you LOVE this Lemon Pepper Chicken, here are some other Air Fryer recipes you might like. Check out these other Easy Air Fryer recipes:

Garlic Parmesan Wings — Garlic Parm Wings

Air Fryer Soy Sauce Chicken — Garlic Parm Wings

Equipment

Air Fryer
or Stove Top
or Oven

Ingredients

1.5 lbs chicken (I used butterflied drumsticks)
½ tbsp lemon pepper seasoning
¾ tsp garlic salt
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp seasoned salt
½ tsp lemon juice
2 tbsp sour cream (or sub yogurt)
1 tbsp olive oil
parsley (garnish)

Instructions

1. Combine the following ingredients with the chicken and set aside for at least 10 minutes. The flavors will be even more amazing if you marinate overnight! (½ tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning, ¾ teaspoon garlic salt, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon seasoned salt, ½ teaspoon lemon juice, 2 tablespoon sour cream (or sub yogurt), 1 tablespoon olive oil)

Air Fryer Cooking Instructions (Oven Cooking instructions below)

Preheat air fryer to 380, and add in the chicken skin side up and flip twice, at the 6 minute mark, and 12 minute mark. Depending on your air fryer , it may take 20-25 minutes to cook fully for chicken drumsticks. **Please see below for cooking times for other cuts of chicken.
Drumsticks: Air Fryer (20-25 minutes total) - 380°F for 6 minutes, flip over and cook another 6 minutes and flip again and cook for another 8-10 minutes.
Bone In Chicken Thigh: Air fryer (20-25 minutes total) – 380°F for 10 minutes skin side down, flip over and cook an additional 10-15 minutes skin side up.
Boneless Chicken Thigh: Air Fryer (18-20 minutes total) – 380°F for 10 minutes, flip over and cook another 8-10 minutes.
Chicken Breast: Air Fryer (16-19 minutes total) – 360°F for 10 minutes, flip and cook another 6-9 minutes.
Once your chicken reaches internal temperature of 165 deg, It's ready!
Garnish with parsley and enjoy!

Oven Cooking instructions

Preheat your oven to 380°F and cook for 35-40 minutes
Boneless Chicken thigh: (20-25 min total) – 380°F for 10 minutes skin side down, flip over and cook an additional 10-15 minutes skin side up.
Bone in Chicken Thigh: (30-35 minutes total) – 380°F for 10 minutes skin side down, flip over and cook an additional 20-25 minutes skin side up.
Drumsticks: (30-35 minutes total) – 380°F for 20 minutes and flip over and cook another 10-15 minutes.
Chicken Breast: (20-25 minutes total) – 380°F for 10 minutes, flip and cook another 10-15 minutes.
Once your chicken reaches internal temperature of 165 deg, It's ready!
For extra crisp skin, turn up the heat to 400 until desired brownness is reached
Garnish with parsley and enjoy!

Stovetop Instructions

Boneless Chicken Thighs - Skin Side down 5 mins, flip and cook 5-6 min skin side up
Bone In Chicken Thighs - 10 Minutes skin side down, flip and cook 5-8 min skin side up
Drumsticks - 8 Minutes larger skin side down, flip and cook 8 mins skin side up
Once your chicken reaches internal temperature of 165 deg, It's ready!
Garnish with parsley and enjoy!

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Comments

5 from 6 votes (5 ratings without comment)