One-Pan Roasted Chicken with Garlic and Thyme

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

Juicy roasted chicken thighs cooked in a single pan with fragrant garlic and fresh thyme for an easy, flavorful dinner. This mediterranean-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, olive oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

★ 4.4 (13 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Pat dry 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs skin side down and sear for 6-7 minutes until the skin is golden and crisp.
  3. Step 3: Flip the chicken thighs and add 6 whole unpeeled garlic cloves and 4 sprigs fresh thyme around the chicken in the pan. Squeeze the juice of 1 whole lemon over the chicken.
  4. Step 4: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and roast for 20 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the garlic is soft.
  5. Step 5: Remove from oven and let chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving, spooning pan juices over the top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pan Roasted Chicken with Garlic and 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 One-Pan Roasted Chicken with Garlic and 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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Roasted Chicken with Garlic and 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 One-Pan Roasted Chicken with Garlic and 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 One-Pan Roasted Chicken with Garlic and Thyme?

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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