Description
Lemon Chicken Romano is a one-pan dinner with crispy, golden chicken thighs finished in a bright lemon-garlic sauce and melted Pecorino Romano. It tastes special enough for guests, but it’s practical for a weeknight — especially when you want something cozy, zesty, and seriously flavorful.
Ingredients
4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (for thickening)
3/4 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (plus more to taste)
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/3 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme (or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme)
Optional: lemon wedges, extra Romano, chili flakes for serving
Instructions
1. Pat the chicken thighs very dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper.
2. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
3. Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Add chicken skin-side down and sear 5–7 minutes until deeply golden and crisp. Don’t move it too early.
5. Flip chicken and cook 2 minutes on the second side.
6. Add minced garlic and cook 30–60 seconds, just until fragrant.
7. Sprinkle flour over the garlic/pan juices and stir for 20–30 seconds (this removes the raw flour taste).
8. Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice. Scrape the browned bits from the pan and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
9. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake 20–25 minutes, until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part.
10. Remove from oven. Stir in Pecorino Romano, lemon zest, parsley, and thyme until the sauce looks glossy.
11. Taste the sauce and adjust with a small squeeze of lemon, salt, or pepper if needed. Serve hot.
Notes
For the crispiest skin: dry the chicken well and avoid crowding the pan while searing.
Gluten-free option: replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch slurry (add at the end).
Cheese swap: Parmesan works, but Pecorino Romano tastes sharper and saltier.
Leftovers: reheat gently (low oven or covered skillet) to keep the chicken juicy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: 🍗 Chicken & Poultry Creations
- Method: Skillet + Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh (with sauce)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg