Zest-Infused Chicken Thighs with Roasted New Potatoes

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

Juicy chicken thighs with a citrus-kissed crust, paired with perfectly roasted baby potatoes for a comforting weeknight meal. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs Chicken thighs, Olive oil, Lemon zest for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.

★ 4.5 (10 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Rub 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon zest, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper over all surfaces.
  2. Step 2: Toss 1 lb halved new potatoes with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Spread on a sheet pan and roast at 425°F for 15 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Place seasoned chicken thighs skin-side down on the sheet pan with potatoes. Roast for 25 minutes, then flip thighs and roast 15 more minutes until skin is golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  4. Step 4: Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Zest-Infused Chicken Thighs with Roasted New Potatoes take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (10 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 Zest-Infused Chicken Thighs with Roasted New Potatoes?

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 chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Zest-Infused Chicken Thighs with Roasted New Potatoes?

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 Zest-Infused Chicken Thighs with Roasted New Potatoes 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 Zest-Infused Chicken Thighs with Roasted New Potatoes?

American 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes