Smoked Paprika and Citrus-Glazed Chicken Thighs

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Juicy chicken thighs marinated in smoked paprika and citrus, then oven-roasted to a tender, flavorful finish. This Mediterranean-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs bone-in chicken thighs, smoked paprika, orange zest for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, 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: 40 min Serves 6 Mediterranean cuisine 280 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Sheet pans that don’t warp in a hot oven → Best Sheet Pans in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp orange zest, 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves until fully combined.
  2. Step 2: Add 6 bone-in chicken thighs to the bowl, coating each piece thoroughly with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours to imbibe the flavors.
  3. Step 3: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Arrange the marinated chicken thighs skin-side up on a baking sheet lined with foil. Drizzle 2 tbsp water around the chicken to keep moist during roasting.
  4. Step 4: Roast the chicken for 35-40 minutes until the skin is crisp and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Baste with pan juices halfway through cooking for extra glaze.
  5. Step 5: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving, allowing the citrus and smoked paprika flavors to fully infuse the meat.

Related recipes