Spice-Rubbed Chicken Thighs with Citrus Herb Sauce

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 rubbed with a bold spice blend, roasted to perfection, and served with a bright citrus herb sauce that cuts through the richness. This Mediterranean-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs bone-in chicken thighs, smoked paprika, ground cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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: 25 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a small bowl, combine 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1.5 tsp kosher salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Rub this spice blend evenly over 4 bone-in chicken thighs.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy.
  3. Step 3: Flip the chicken and transfer the skillet to the oven. Roast for 15-20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear.
  4. Step 4: While chicken roasts, whisk together 0.25 cup fresh orange juice, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp chopped cilantro, 1 clove minced garlic, and 1 tsp honey in a small bowl to create the citrus herb sauce.
  5. Step 5: Remove chicken from oven, let rest 5 minutes, then spoon the citrus herb sauce over the top before serving.

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