Honey-Glazed Lemon Thyme Roasted Chicken

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

Juicy roasted chicken thighs glazed with a honey and lemon thyme sauce, perfect for a comforting family dinner. This mediterranean-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, olive oil, fresh lemon juice 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: 10 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Pat dry 6 bone-in chicken thighs and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp honey, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves until well combined.
  3. Step 3: Place the chicken thighs in a roasting pan skin-side up and brush generously with the honey-lemon thyme mixture.
  4. Step 4: Roast the chicken for 35-40 minutes, basting every 10 minutes with remaining glaze, until the skin is golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  5. Step 5: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving, allowing the glaze to set and flavors to meld.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Honey-Glazed Lemon Thyme Roasted Chicken take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (10 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 Honey-Glazed Lemon Thyme 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 bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Glazed Lemon Thyme 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 Honey-Glazed Lemon Thyme 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 Honey-Glazed Lemon Thyme Roasted Chicken?

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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