Begin by marinating the chicken thighs in a large bowl or resealable plastic bag. Combine 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of lemon zest, 2 teaspoons of freshly cracked black pepper, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, and salt to taste. Make sure the chicken is well-coated in the marinade. Allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for more flavor.

After marinating, preheat a heavy skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Allow it to heat up thoroughly, which should take about 2-3 minutes.

Once the skillet is hot, carefully place the marinated chicken thighs skin-side down in the pan. Sear them for about 5-7 minutes until the skin turns a lovely golden brown and crisps up.

After achieving that beautiful sear, it's time to transfer the skillet (if oven-safe) or the chicken to a preheated oven. Set your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Bake the Zesty Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs in the oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving.