Sage-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Zucchini
Juicy chicken thighs infused with fresh sage and roasted alongside zucchini for a balanced, herb-forward dinner. This mediterranean-inspired sheet pan (high-protein, dairy-free) ready in about 55 minutes pairs (bone-in, skin-on) chicken thighs, olive oil, chopped fresh sage 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.
Ingredients
- 6 (bone-in, skin-on) chicken thighs
- 2 medium, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds zucchini
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh sage
- 1, thinly sliced lemon
- 3 cloves, smashed garlic
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry and season with 1 tsp sea salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss zucchini slices with 1 tbsp olive oil and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Step 2: Arrange chicken skin-side up on a baking sheet. Place zucchini and sliced lemon around chicken, then scatter garlic cloves and 2 tbsp chopped sage over the top.
- Step 3: Drizzle with remaining 2 tbsp olive oil. Roast at 375°F for 35-40 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internally and skin is crisp.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sage-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Zucchini take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 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 Sage-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Zucchini?
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 Sage-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Zucchini?
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 Sage-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Zucchini 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.
Is Sage-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Zucchini high-protein?
Yes — this recipe is tagged high-protein, dairy-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Loved the lemon-zucchini! So fresh and perfect for summer.
- ★★★★★
This is my new go-to sheet pan recipe. Easy and delicious!
- ★★★★★
My family devoured these chicken thighs. The sage and lemon combo is genius.