December's Citrus & Herb Roasted Chicken
Juicy chicken thighs roasted with a zesty citrus and herb glaze, perfect for cozy winter gatherings. This american-inspired sheet pan ready in about 55 minutes pairs skin-on and bone-in Chicken thighs, juiced and zested Orange, juiced and zested Lemon 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs, skin-on and bone-in Chicken thighs
- 1, juiced and zested Orange
- 1, juiced and zested Lemon
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 4 cloves, minced Garlic
- 1 tbsp, chopped Rosemary
- 1 tsp, chopped Thyme
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tbsp Honey
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp chopped rosemary, 1 tsp chopped thyme, zest and juice of 1 orange, zest and juice of 1 lemon, and 1 tbsp honey.
- Step 3: Season chicken thighs with 1 tsp salt on both sides, then rub the olive oil mixture evenly over all surfaces.
- Step 4: Place chicken thighs skin-side up on a parchment-lined baking sheet and roast for 35-40 minutes until skin is golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Step 5: Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does December's Citrus & Herb Roasted Chicken take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 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 December's Citrus & Herb Roasted Chicken?
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 juiced and zested orange from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in December's Citrus & Herb Roasted Chicken?
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 December's Citrus & Herb Roasted Chicken 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 December's Citrus & Herb Roasted Chicken?
American sheet pan 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★★★★
Brought this to a potluck and it was the first dish to disappear.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
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