This Paleo Lemon Butter Chicken is easy to make, is full of fresh flavors, and is so delicious! Gluten free, dairy free, and Whole30.
Ok, so this is technically Lemon Ghee Chicken, but butter just sounds better. These thighs are coated in a scrumptious sauce that consists of ghee, coconut cream, garlic, lemon zest and juice, and fresh rosemary. It is poured all over the thighs then they are baked making it a seriously easy meal! Thighs are probably my favorite piece of chicken to use because they’re affordable, juicy, and easy to eat.
I actually was inspired for this meal by another blogger. Damn Delicious posed a similar version and when I saw it I knew I wanted to make it paleo. It was easy to do- swapping the butter for ghee, cream for coconut cream, leaving out the parmesan, and I replaced the thyme with rosemary. It’s one of out favorites and just works perfect in this dish. The results were amazing!!
This meal comes together quick, and while it does bake for a little while, it’s all hands off. You can easily be preparing a side dish or doing whatever else you need to do. This has turned into one of my husbands favorite meals already. He told me he wants to drink the sauce because it’s so good! Ok, I actually saw him tip his plate up to get every last drop.
You will love how easy and affordable this meal is. A delicious, healthy dinner that everyone will enjoy! Another delicious Whole30 recipe to add to your menu.
*Images updates August 2019 and low FODMAP instructions added to the notes.Â
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Paleo Lemon Butter Chicken
Ingredients
- 8 chicken thighs, bone-in skin-on
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 3 tablespoons ghee**
- 1/4 cup coconut cream
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder*
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375° and place the chicken thighs skin side down in a 13x9 pan.
- Sprinkle lightly with salt then flip over so the skin side is up. Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, combine lemon zest and juice, ghee, coconut cream, garlic powder, salt, and rosemary.
- Stir over medium heat until everything is well combined.
- Pour the mixture over the thighs and bake for 40-45 minutes or until they reach 165°.
- If you want the skin crispy, turn up the oven to 500° and bake for another 5-10 minutes.
Notes:
Heather Dyer says
Made this tonight and my family and I LOVED it! It is totally going to be a regular go-to meal for us. So happy to have a new delicious recipe to add to my Whole30 repertoire. So easy and so tasty. Thank you!
~Heather
Jessica DeMay says
You’re welcome, Heather! Thanks for trying it! I’m so glad you and your family enjoy it! 🙂
Jan Kennedy says
Jessica, this was wonderful and so easy. We just enjoyed a great meal thanks to your wonderful recipe. I can’t wait to share it with family and friends. Thanks! Great work.
Jessica DeMay says
You’re welcome! Thanks for trying my recipe, Jan! I’m so glad you enjoyed it and hope your friends do as well!
Cibel says
Jessica –
I don’t have any coconut cream, handy; do you think I can use chicken stock?
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Cibel- that would probably work, but I would suggest coconut milk or almond milk first. It adds richness and creaminess.
Lizzie says
Just made this recipe – delicious!
One question: Is the ghee supposed to separate from the coconut cream while in the oven? I’m curious to know if this happened because i did not keep the mixture over heat for very long before I poured it over the chicken.
Thank you!
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Lizzie- thanks for trying my recipe! I’m glad you like it! No, it’s not supposed to seperate- that’s strange. Maybe cook a little longer next time to ensure it’s completely combined. I’m glad it still tasted okay.
Angie says
Mine separated too. I’ll cook the sauce longer next time. It was still delish!!
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks for trying it, Angie! I’m sorry it separated, but I’m glad it still tasted good!
Rhonda T. says
This chicken was delicious and will be a great go-to when I need something tasty and easy to make. I used boneless skinless thighs and this came together quickly and the rosemary really put it over the top! So good! Hubby and son both loved it too so it’s a win!
Jessica DeMay says
Thank you so much, Rhonda! So glad the family loved it! 🙂 And good to know it works with boneless skinless thighs!