Save to Pinterest Succulent chicken thighs coated in a sticky honey glaze roast with colorful root vegetables to make a one-pan dinner that feels both rustic and special. Every time I make this the kitchen fills with the comforting aroma of caramelized vegetables and herby chicken&a true crowd-pleaser for chilly nights.
I whipped this up the first time when the weather turned cold and my partner still asks for it every time autumn rolls around. It was a huge hit at our last family dinner&everyone dug in before I could snap a photo.
Ingredients
- Chicken thighs: with skin and bone give rich flavor and stay juicy during roasting look for plump well-marbled thighs from a local butcher if you can
- Olive oil: ensures crispy skin and prevents sticking choose a fruity extra virgin oil for best taste
- Kosher salt and black pepper: enhance natural flavors use freshly ground pepper for added kick
- Honey: provides sticky sweetness local honey gives the most nuanced flavor and helps support bees
- Dijon mustard: adds tang and depth choose a good-quality Dijon for genuine sharpness
- Apple cider vinegar: brightens and balances out the glaze raw unfiltered varieties work beautifully
- Garlic: minced garlic boosts the savoriness use fresh over jarred for punchier flavor
- Dried thyme: herbal backbone of the glaze pick a fragrant dried or even swap in chopped fresh thyme if you have it
- Smoked paprika: deepens the flavor and brings subtle smokiness opt for Spanish-style paprika with a robust red hue
- Carrots: bring natural sweetness and color younger slender carrots roast up especially tender
- Parsnips: add earthy nutty tones purchase firm unblemished roots
- Sweet potato: lends velvety texture and a dash of extra sweetness darker orange varieties tend to be moister
- Red onion: mellows and caramelizes beautifully pick a small firm onion for even roasting
- Olive oil: helps vegetables become perfectly tender and brown use fresh oil for best results
- Salt and black pepper: season the vegetables as they roast
- Fresh rosemary: aromatic sprigs infuse everything with a woodsy note look for perky green needles
Instructions
- Prep the Oven:
- Get things going by setting your oven to a hot 425 degrees Fahrenheit or 220 degrees Celsius This ensures a crisp skin and beautifully roasted vegetables
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Take your chicken thighs and pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels Rub all over with a drizzle of olive oil and season with kosher salt and cracked black pepper Work the seasoning under the skin a little to boost flavor
- Mix the Honey Glaze:
- Whisk together honey Dijon mustard apple cider vinegar minced garlic dried thyme and smoked paprika in a small bowl This glaze should be smooth glossy and pungently fragrant
- Toss the Vegetables:
- In a roomy roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet combine the carrot chunks parsnip pieces sweet potato cubes and onion wedges Drizzle generously with olive oil then sprinkle with salt pepper and tuck rosemary sprigs among the vegetables Toss thoroughly so everything is well-coated before spreading into an even single layer
- Arrange and Glaze Chicken:
- Place chicken thighs skin side up in and among the vegetables Make sure every piece is nestled into the veggies for maximum flavor Brush each thigh generously with about half of your honey glaze getting into all the nooks
- Roast Initial Round:
- Place the tray in the hot oven for 25 minutes Let the glaze begin to caramelize and vegetables start softening
- Add More Glaze and Toss:
- After 25 minutes remove the pan Gently toss the veggies so they roast evenly Brush chicken again with the rest of the glaze
- Finish the Roast:
- Return the pan to the oven and continue roasting for about 20 more minutes The chicken should be golden and crisp on top while veggies are fork-tender The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit or 74 degrees Celsius
- Rest and Serve:
- Remove rosemary sprigs before serving and let everything rest for five minutes This step keeps the chicken juicy and flavors settled
Save to Pinterest I absolutely love how the smoked paprika perfumes the whole kitchen. The first time my niece tried this dish she went home asking for the recipe&now she makes it every winter.
Smart Storage
Cool leftovers completely before packing in airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to four days. To reheat spread pieces on a baking sheet and roast at 350 degrees until hot and skin re-crisps slightly. Avoid microwaving the chicken skin if you want to keep that golden crust.
Ingredient Swaps
No parsnips on hand? Rutabagas or butternut squash slide right into this recipe. If sweet potatoes are missing Yukon gold potatoes make a hearty substitute. For fresh herbs thyme or sage are lovely in place of rosemary.
Serving Suggestions
A heap of these honey-glazed chicken thighs over buttery mashed potatoes is pure comfort. For something lighter serve with a crisp green salad tossed with lemon. Warm crusty bread sops up every bit of the sweet and tangy pan juices.
A Little History
Roasting root vegetables dates back centuries in European cuisines where winter cellars were filled with sturdy produce. Glazing chicken with honey is an old farm tradition&my grandmother recalled drizzling honey onto everything from carrots to pork on special occasions to make it taste extra luxurious.
Seasonal Adaptations
Spring roots like baby turnips or radishes roast up beautifully with the chicken Autumn brings squash and more deeply flavored sweet potatoes into the mix In winter use stored carrots and parsnips for a cozy flavor echo of the season
Freezer Meal Magic
Assemble the entire dish in advance and freeze uncooked in a large bag or container. Thaw in the fridge overnight then simply roast as directed. For freezer meals skip the fresh herbs and add them right before baking to preserve their flavor.
Success Stories
A friend made this for her holiday dinner and her picky kids polished it off&she sent me a beaming photo of empty plates and sticky fingers. I have had readers swap in turkey thighs for big gatherings with great results. My neighbor says the leftovers make an unbeatable grain bowl the next day.
Save to Pinterest This dish brings warmth and color to any table. Savor every bite&and don&t be surprised if it becomes your new cold-weather go-to.