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Crispy Brown Butter Chicken with Lemon and Capers

crispy brown butter chicken - featured image
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A quick and fuss-free chicken dish featuring crispy skin, nutty brown butter, bright lemon, and tangy capers. Perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs / 700 g)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (about 56 g)
  • 2 medium fresh lemons, juiced and zested
  • 2 tablespoons capers, drained
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • A handful of fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pat dry the chicken thighs with paper towels. Season generously with salt and black pepper on both sides. Let rest at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
  2. Zest one lemon using a microplane, then juice both lemons into a small bowl. Add minced garlic and capers to the lemon juice mixture and set aside.
  3. Heat a heavy skillet or cast iron pan over medium heat and add olive oil. Once shimmering, add chicken thighs skin-side down. Cook without moving for 7 to 9 minutes until skin is deeply golden and crisp.
  4. Flip the chicken and cook for another 5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  5. Transfer chicken to a plate and tent loosely with foil to keep warm.
  6. Lower heat to medium-low and add butter to the same pan. Stir frequently as it melts, cooking until it turns golden brown and smells nutty, about 3 to 4 minutes. Avoid burning.
  7. Pour the lemon, garlic, and caper mixture into the browned butter. Stir gently and let simmer for about 1 minute.
  8. Return chicken to the pan, nestle into the sauce, and spoon sauce over the top. Warm together for 2 minutes.
  9. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley and extra lemon zest over the chicken before serving.

Notes

Pat chicken dry for crispy skin. Do not overcrowd the pan to avoid steaming. Watch butter carefully to avoid burning. For extra crispiness, finish under broiler 1-2 minutes. Sauce can be loosened with chicken broth or water if too thick. Leftovers reheat best in skillet or oven, not microwave.

Nutrition

Keywords: brown butter chicken, lemon chicken, capers, crispy chicken thighs, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://dahliadishes.com/crispy-brown-butter-chicken-with-lemon-and-capers-easy-recipe/