3.89 from 87 votes

Lemon and Thyme Chicken Thigh Tray Bake

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This chicken thigh and potato tray bake is infused with lemon and thyme. A perfect dinner tray bake with only around 10 minutes of prep time.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
ยฃ1.38
Makes: 5
mains
British
Freezable

This lemon and thyme chicken tray bake is delicious, requires minimal effort and works perfectly as a weeknight dinner. 

Close up shot of golden browned chicken thighs, new potatoes and vegetables all baked with lemon rounds and red onions.

What makes this recipe great

When making this chicken tray bake with lemon and thyme the oven does most of the work for you, as you prep the ingredients and add them to the tray at two different points. Meaning you can chill out and watch Netflix, as your delicious meal comes together. 

I find with a chicken and potato tray bake, you need vibrant veggies, herbs and some acidity to bring the recipe to life. Thatโ€™s why with the addition of roasted lemon, thyme and the mediterranean combo of tomato and red onion, we get the best outcome.

Other chicken dinners/recipes you might loveโ€ฆ

Ingredients

Ingredients to make the chicken thigh tray bake laid out on a pale blue background and labelled.

Chicken thighs
Oven baked chicken thighs are amazing for two reasons. The crispy skin that forms when roasted over a longer period of time and the succulent meat that becomes intensely flavoured due to itโ€™s fat content and being on the bone. 

Lemon & Thyme
It wouldnโ€™t be a lemon chicken tray bake without a good quantity of lemons. I use two whole lemons in this recipe, sliced into 1 cm rounds. When these lemon rounds are roasted, overtime they almost caramelize and sweeten, meaning you can even eat the skin! Iโ€™ve chosen thyme for this recipe, as I love it when itโ€™s paired with lemon. You could alternatively use parsley or basil, served fresh at the end if you prefer. 

New Potatoes 
I use new potatoes to reduce prep time and also as I love their texture and skin-to-potato ratio. We coat them in oil and garlic and roast them for 1 hour and 15 minutes, which make for the crispiest potatoes. 

Garlic 
6 cloves of garlic – donโ€™t be skeptical, this tray bake recipe needs it. It serves 5 people and I follow the general rule of thumb for 1 clove per portion.  Plus a bonus clove. 

Tomato & Red Onion
The tomato and red onion add a mediterranean chicken tray bake vibe, which brightens the dish massively. 

See the recipe card for full information on all ingredients and quantities.

Is this a healthy chicken tray bake recipe?

Iโ€™d say so! This recipe is balanced in many ways. Elements of a healthy tray bake:

  • High in protein: chicken thighs are a great source of protein.
  • Balance of carbs, fats and protein: carbs from the potatoes and veggies, fats from the olive oil and chicken thighs and protein again from the chicken thighs. 
  • Range of micronutrients: we get this from the lemon, tomatoes, onion and olive oil.

If you wanted to reduce the calories, you could make this a chicken breast tray bake as this would reduce the fat content. However, chicken breast often dries out in the oven. 

If you do decide to use chicken breast though, add the chicken at a later stage (maybe along with the tomatoes and onion) as they only take around 30 minutes to make in the oven. 

Bkaed and golden browned chicken thighs, new potatoes, vegetables in a bowl on a yellow background.

How to make this recipe

Preheat the oven to 180ยฐ C

  1. Wash the new potatoes and add to a large mixing bowl.  Add the minced garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper and mix together, before placing on baking tray (Image 1).
  2. Now remove the excess skin on the chicken thighs and add to the same bowl.  Add some olive oil, salt and mix together (Image 2).
2 step by step photos, the first with new potatoes and seasoning in a metal bowl and the second with chicken thighs in the metal bowl and mixed with a hand.

3. Add the chicken thighs to the tray with the potatoes and pop in the oven for 30 minutes (Image 3).

4. Prep the veggies by quartering the red onions and tomatoes and slice the lemons into rounds. Add them to the baking tray with part cooked potatoes and chicken. Rub the thyme between your hands over the tray so the herb breaks off the stem and scatters over the tray bake. Shake and pop back in the oven for another 45 minutes (Image 4).

2 step by step photos, the first with uncooked chicken thighs and new potatoes on a baking tray and the secondthe vegetables added to the golden browned chicken thighs and potatoes.

5. Remove from the oven and plate up! Season with salt and pepper and an extra squeeze of lemon (Image 5).

Overhead shot of golden browned chicken thighs, new potatoes and vegetables all baked with lemon rounds and red onions in a large baking tray on a yellow background.

Tips for the best results

Evenly distribute the chicken, potatoes and veg
Make sure they are evenly spaced and not overcrowded. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and steaming rather than roasting. Also, scatter lemon slices and fresh thyme sprigs around the chicken to infuse the dish with their aromas.

Monitor Cooking Time and Temperature
Keep an eye on the chicken’s progress, as cooking times can vary depending on your oven and the size of the thighs. Ensure they are cooked through, without overcooking as we donโ€™t want dry chicken!

Rest Before Serving
Allow the chicken thighs to rest for a few minutes after removing them from the oven. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring a juicy and tender texture when you cut into the chicken. It also gives you time to garnish with fresh thyme leaves before serving.

For chicken lovers, here’s some recipes to give you inspiration; Wagamamaโ€™s Chicken Ramen (Chilli Chicken), Chicken Fajita Salad Bowl and Peanut Butter Ramen with Chicken

FAQs

Can I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of bone-in, skin-on thighs?

Yes, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer. They will cook faster than bone-in, skin-on thighs, so be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly. Place the potatoes and vegetables in the oven first for 30 minutes, and then add the chicken for the last 30 minutes.

Do I need to flip the chicken thighs during baking?

It’s not necessary to flip the chicken thighs during baking. By arranging them skin-side up at the beginning, you allow the skin to become crispy and brown.

What can I serve as side dishes with Lemon and Thyme Chicken Thigh Tray Bake?

Roasted vegetables, such as kale, carrots and parsnips or a big green salad would pair well with this dish.

Can I make a sauce or gravy from the pan juices?

Absolutely! The pan juices from the Lemon and Thyme Chicken Thigh Tray Bake are packed with flavour and can be turned into a delicious sauce or gravy.

Other tasty recipes for you to try; The BEST Teriyaki Chicken Bowl, Chicken Pot Pie with a stuffing crust and Pesto Quorn Chicken

If you tried this Lemon and Thyme Chicken Thigh Tray Bake recipe, it would be mean so much to me if you could leave a review & a star rating to let me know how you found it! I love hearing about your experiences – it motivates me to keep creating more and more recipes for you guys ๐Ÿ’› Let’s get cooking! – Mimi x

Lemon and Thyme Chicken Thigh Tray Bake

Print
3.89 from 87 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
ยฃ1.38
mains
British
Freezable
Servings: 5
This chicken thigh and potato tray bake is infused with lemon and thyme. A perfect dinner tray bake with only around 10 minutes of prep time.

Ingredients

Preheat oven 180ยฐ C

  • 1 kg chicken thighs (ยฃ3.30)
  • 1 bunch fresh thyme, removed from tough stems (ยฃ0.55)
  • 2 lemons, sliced into 1cm rounds (ยฃ0.50)
  • 2 red onions, sliced into thick wedges (ยฃ0.30)
  • 6 tomatoes, sliced into thick wedges (ยฃ0.85)
  • 1 kg new potatoes (ยฃ1.00)
  • 6 cloves of garlic (ยฃ0.39)

Cupboard Essentials

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt & Pepper

Method

Preheat the oven to 180ยฐC

  • Wash the new potatoes and add to a large mixing bowl.ย  To that, add the minced garlic, half of the olive oil, salt & pepper. Mix to combine and add to a large baking tray.
  • To the same bowl, add prepped chicken thighs & remaining olive oil. Season generously with salt and pepper and toss to evenly distribute. Add the chicken to the tray with the potatoes and pop in the oven for 30 minutes.
  • After this time, add the vegetables and thyme to the baking tray. Use tongs to get the veggies coated in the oils released from the chicken. Shake and pop back in the oven for another 45 minutes. Season with an extra round of salt.
  • Remove from the oven & plate up! Season with pepper & optional chilli flakes if you like a little kick.

Notes

  • Make sure they are evenly spaced and not overcrowded. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and steaming rather than roasting. Also, scatter lemon slices and fresh thyme sprigs around the chicken to infuse the dish with their aromas.
  • Keep an eye on the chicken's progress, as cooking times can vary depending on your oven and the size of the thighs. Ensure they are cooked through, without overcooking as we donโ€™t want dry chicken!
  • Allow the chicken thighs to rest for a few minutes after removing them from the oven. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring a juicy and tender texture when you cut into the chicken. It also gives you time to garnish with fresh thyme leaves before serving.

Nutrition

Servings: 5 servings
Fat: 36g
Calories: 625kcal
Carbohydrates: 38g
Protein: 38g
3.89 from 87 votes (86 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Simple and Stunning!
    Normally I donโ€™t follow recipes to the letter but did on this occasion, only adding a few wings too! So good!
    Washed down with a glass of rosรฉโ€ฆ
    Thanks Mimi5 stars

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