Lazy Sunday Chicken is the perfect answer to the question: What can I cook that’s hearty, delicious, and effortless? This dish is the epitome of cozy comfort food, designed for those days when you want a home-cooked meal without the fuss.
With minimal prep and maximum flavor, Lazy Sunday Chicken combines tender, juicy chicken with earthy vegetables and aromatic herbs, all roasted together in one pan. The result is a soul-warming, rustic meal that tastes like it took hours — even though it didn’t. Ideal for a quiet Sunday, this recipe is also great for weeknights when simplicity and satisfaction are all you crave.
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 4 medium potatoes, cut into chunks
- 3 large carrots, peeled and cut into thick slices
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, smashed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare a large baking dish or sheet pan by lightly greasing it or lining with parchment paper for easier cleanup.
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. This helps the skin crisp up during roasting. Season generously with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika on both sides.
- In a large bowl, combine the chopped potatoes, carrots, and onion. Add garlic cloves, olive oil, rosemary, thyme, a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss everything together until the vegetables are well coated in the oil and herbs.
- Spread the vegetables out evenly in the prepared baking dish. Make small spaces between the vegetables and nestle the seasoned chicken thighs skin-side up into those gaps.
- Drizzle the melted butter over the chicken pieces, then squeeze fresh lemon juice across the whole dish. This adds brightness to balance the rich, roasted flavors.
- Place the dish in the oven and roast uncovered for about 45 to 50 minutes, or until the chicken skin is golden brown and crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). The vegetables should be fork-tender with caramelized edges.
- Halfway through cooking, you can gently stir the vegetables around the chicken to promote even browning, but it’s not essential if you prefer to keep things truly lazy.
- Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes. The resting time helps the juices redistribute within the chicken, keeping it moist and flavorful.
- Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top before serving, if desired. This not only adds color but a fresh herbal touch that complements the roasted depth of the dish.
- Serve hot, directly from the pan to the plate. Lazy Sunday Chicken pairs wonderfully with crusty bread, a side salad, or even just as it is — rustic, hearty, and full of flavor.