Orange-Honey Glazed Roast Chicken with Thyme

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

A tender roast chicken glazed with a zesty orange and honey sauce, accented by fresh thyme for a bright and savory finish. This general-inspired chicken ready in about 75 minutes pairs whole chicken, orange juice, honey 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 60 min Serves 4 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Rinse and pat dry the 4 lb whole chicken, then season inside and out with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup orange juice, 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp olive oil, and 3 minced garlic cloves until combined.
  3. Step 3: Place the chicken breast side up in a roasting pan and tuck 4 fresh thyme sprigs under the skin and inside the cavity.
  4. Step 4: Brush the orange-honey mixture generously over the chicken, reserving some for basting.
  5. Step 5: Roast the chicken for 1 hour, basting with remaining glaze every 15 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and skin is golden and caramelized.
  6. Step 6: Remove from oven and let rest 10 minutes before carving, spooning any pan juices over the slices.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Orange-Honey Glazed Roast Chicken with Thyme take to make?

Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 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 Orange-Honey Glazed Roast Chicken 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 whole chicken from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Orange-Honey Glazed Roast Chicken 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 Orange-Honey Glazed Roast Chicken 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 Orange-Honey Glazed Roast Chicken with Thyme?

General 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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