Honey-Lemon Chicken Thighs with Thyme

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

Tender chicken thighs with a sticky-sweet glaze and fresh thyme, perfect with roasted potatoes. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, honey, lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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: 30 min Serves 4 American cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Step 2: Place chicken skin-side down in skillet; cook 5-7 minutes until golden and crispy, then flip and cook 2 minutes more. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/4 cup chicken broth to skillet, stirring to dissolve and scrape up browned bits. Simmer 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
  4. Step 4: Return chicken to skillet, skin-side up, spoon sauce over chicken, cover, and cook 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F, basting occasionally.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Honey-Lemon Chicken Thighs with Thyme take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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-Lemon Chicken Thighs with Thyme?

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 Honey-Lemon Chicken Thighs with Thyme?

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-Lemon Chicken Thighs with Thyme 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-Lemon Chicken Thighs with Thyme?

American 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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