Baked Honey-Lavender Chicken Thighs with Lemon Zest

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken thighs marinated in honey, lavender, and lemon zest, then baked to tender perfection with a fragrant herbal finish. This mediterranean-inspired chicken ready in about 60 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, honey, dried culinary lavender buds for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp honey, 1 tsp dried lavender buds, 1 tbsp lemon zest, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until combined.
  2. Step 2: Place 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs in a baking dish and pour the honey-lavender marinade over them, turning to coat evenly. Arrange 4 fresh thyme sprigs on top and let marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken skin is golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F, basting once halfway through with the pan juices for a fragrant, sticky glaze.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Honey-Lavender Chicken Thighs with Lemon Zest take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Baked Honey-Lavender Chicken Thighs with Lemon Zest?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep honey from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Honey-Lavender Chicken Thighs with Lemon Zest?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Baked Honey-Lavender Chicken Thighs with Lemon Zest for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Baked Honey-Lavender Chicken Thighs with Lemon Zest?

Mediterranean chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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