Honey-Lavender Glazed Roasted Chicken

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

Juicy roasted chicken thighs glazed with a delicate honey and lavender sauce, perfect for a comforting Mother’s Day meal. This Mediterranean-inspired Mother’s Day recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs bone-in chicken thighs, olive oil, dried culinary lavender 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: 15 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat dry 6 bone-in chicken thighs with paper towels to ensure crispy skin.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp dried lavender, 1/4 cup honey, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until combined.
  3. Step 3: Place the chicken thighs skin side up in a roasting pan or oven-safe skillet. Brush the honey-lavender glaze generously over each piece, reserving some for basting.
  4. Step 4: Scatter 4 fresh thyme sprigs around the chicken and roast for 35 minutes, basting with the reserved glaze every 10 minutes, until the chicken skin is golden and juices run clear when pierced.
  5. Step 5: Remove from oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving, allowing flavors to settle and skin to crisp further.

Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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-Lavender Glazed 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-Lavender Glazed 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-Lavender Glazed 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-Lavender Glazed Roasted Chicken?

Mediterranean mother’s day 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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