Southern Lemonade Chicken
Experience the tangy-sweet flavors of the South with our irresistible Southern Lemonade Chicken recipe! This easy yet impressive dish features tender, bone-in chicken thighs bathed in a zesty sauce made from fresh lemons, lemonade concentrate, honey, and a touch of brown sugar. The chicken is first pan-seared for golden, crispy skin and then oven-baked to perfection, ensuring that every bite is juicy and full of flavor. Infused with garlic, paprika, and the vibrant brightness of lemon slices, this recipe strikes the perfect balance of savory and sweet. Garnished with fresh parsley and served alongside classic Southern sides like mashed potatoes or green beans, this crowd-pleasing dish is ideal for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. Unlock the secrets of Southern comfort cooking and add this unique twist on lemonade chicken to your repertoire today!
Try SnapCalorie's FREE AI assisted nutrition tracking free in the App store or on Android.
Scan with your phone to download!
Ingredients
- 6 pieces Chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
- 3 whole Fresh lemons
- 0.5 cup Lemonade concentrate (thawed)
- 2 tablespoons Honey
- 2 tablespoons Brown sugar
- 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Chopped parsley (for garnish)
Directions
Step 1
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 2
2. Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel and season them with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
Step 3
3. Heat olive oil and butter in a large oven-safe skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat.
Step 4
4. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down into the pan and sear for about 5 minutes, or until the skin is golden and crispy. Flip the chicken and cook for another 3 minutes on the other side. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
Step 5
5. Reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic to the pan. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Step 6
6. Juice two of the lemons and combine the juice with the lemonade concentrate, honey, and brown sugar in a small bowl. Mix until the sugar dissolves. Slice the remaining lemon into thin rounds and set aside.
Step 7
7. Pour the lemon mixture into the pan with the garlic and stir to combine. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
Step 8
8. Return the chicken thighs to the pan, skin-side up. Spoon some of the lemon sauce over the chicken.
Step 9
9. Top the chicken with the sliced lemon rounds and transfer the skillet into the preheated oven.
Step 10
10. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Step 11
11. Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. Spoon the sauce from the pan over the chicken before serving.
Step 12
12. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm with your choice of sides, such as mashed potatoes or southern-style green beans.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1329.5g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2754.3 |
| Total Fat 191.4g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 56.8g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 3.4g | |
| Cholesterol 794.8mg | 0% |
| Sodium 3266.1mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 110.4g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 6.2g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 90.4g | |
| Protein 165.4g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 4.5IU | 0% |
| Calcium 202.6mg | 0% |
| Iron 10.9mg | 0% |
| Potassium 2065.5mg | 0% |
Source of Calories