Start the new year eating right with one pan Meyer Lemon Roasted Chicken Thighs, Fennel and Sweet Potatoes – it’s not only delicious but easy for a weeknight meal!
New Year – New Start. That’s what everyone says right? The diet starts today but you know what? I hate the term diet, it has so many negative connotations associated with it.
This year, let’s banish the word diet and use the words good eating instead.
How does that sound to you?
What does good eating mean? Well in my world, the it’s defined by a lot of vegetables, grass-fed/pasture raised meats, fruit and whole grains all cooked in a delicious manner that doesn’t make you feel like you are eating “healthy” food.
They key to all this, roasting.
Roasting has incredible powers. Let me explain my friends.
Take for example fennel: In it’s raw state I can’t stand it, the smell alone puts me off. I am not a fan of anise, it becomes a little more tolerable to me when you pickle it but even then after one or two pieces I’m done.
Why then would I take a vegetable I can’t stand and make it the main component of my meal? Because roasting changes the structure of this humble vegetable here, that off-putting licorice taste is now sweet and caramelized and if you’d let me I’d probably eat a whole head roasted. Okay, I won’t go that far but you get my point.
Take something healthy, roast it and awesome things happen to it. It’s the brussels sprouts theory. No one really likes them but all of sudden everyone started roasting them with bacon and bam! brussels sprouts for everyone!
Also my good eating rules doesn’t mean sweets aren’t allowed. Of course they are, are you crazy? We all need that chocolate fix, but it’s about moderation. So while you might have gone a little overboard over the holidays (and that’s totally okay), it’s time to get back on track. Eat good food, have that small piece of chocolate or cookie once in a while when the cravings strike and you’ll be good to go!
Ingredients
- 1 fennel bulb
- 2 medium jeweled yams/sweet potatoes
- 1lb skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs
- 1 meyer lemon, quartered
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 4-5 springs fresh thyme
- avocado, grapeseed or other neutral oil
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 425 degrees F.
- Remove the stalks from the fennel bulb and any wilted outer layer. Cut the bottom root end and standing straight up cut the fennel in half. Cut out the tough inner core layer and then slice your fennel into 1/2 inch slices. Place on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Scrub the sweet potatoes and cut into a 1 inch dice and add to the baking sheet with the fennel.
- Season with kosher salt and drizzle 1 tablespoon of oil and toss. Add the thyme sprigs.
- Roast for 25 minutes.
- Pat the chicken thighs dry and generously season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Remove the vegetables from the oven, toss with a spatula and add the chicken thighs and quartered meyer lemon.
- Roast for another 30-35 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through, the skin is crisp and the fennel and sweet potatoes are browned and caramelized.
- Serve immediately with a wedge of meyer lemon to squeeze on top of the chicken.
- Serves 2 hungry people for dinner or 4 for a light lunch.
Check out the rest of the #SundaySupper recipes today to help you get on the good eating track for the new year!
Bright Beverages
- Almond Mocha Smoothie from The Foodie Army Wife
- Chocolate-Covered Berries Green Smoothie from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Citrus DeTox Spa Water from La Bella Vita Cucina
- Peachilious Smoothie from Peanut Butter and Peppers
Blissful Breakfast Items
- Apple Crumble Smoothie Bowl from Try Anything Once Culinary
- Light Eggs Benedict from Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
- Multigrain Scones from The Texan New Yorker
- Nutty Granola Bars from Pies and Plots
- Reduced Sugar Donuts from The Ninja Baker
Appetizing Starters
- Broccoli Pesto from Curried Cantaloupe
- Fava Bean and Avocado Guacamole from Pancake Warriors
- Homemade Snickerdoodle Peanut Butter from Wallflour Girl
- Norwegian Egg Benedict from Brunch with Joy
- Roasted Pumpkin and Chevre Bruschetta from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
- Spicy Curried Lentil Spread with Winter Veggies from Lifestyle Food Artistry
Savory Soups and Sides
- Butternut Squash and Roasted Red Pepper Soup from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Light Creamed Roasted Vegetable Soup from Kudos Kitchen by Renee
- Detox Chicken Bok Choy Soup from Nosh My Way
- French Potato Leek Soup from Curious Cuisiniere
- Gluten Free Chicken Pho Soup from Gluten Free Crumbley
- Marinated Tomato and Mozzarella Salad from From Gate to Plate
- Quinoa Mango Pomegranate Spinach Salad with White Balsamic Vinigrette from Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
- Red Cabbage and Golden Raisin Salad from girlichef
- Shredded Brussels Sprouts and Endive Slaw with Champagne Vinaigrette from Take A Bite Out of Boca
- Spinach and Black Bean Ravioletti Soup from Big Bear’s Wife
Marvelous Mains
- Black Pepper Tofu with Black Garlic Sauce from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Fish Steamed with Spicy Couscous from Food Lust People Love
- Greek Style Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce from Nik Snacks
- Kale Pesto with Squash Noodles from Ruffles & Truffles
- Mexican Turkey Cutlets from Magnolia Days
- Meyer Lemon Roasted Chicken Thighs, Fennel & Sweet Potato from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Portuguese Kale Soup from Recipes Food and Cooking
- Salmon with Mushroom Sauce from Cooking Chat
- Skinny Chicken-Leek Pot Pie from The Weekend Gourmet
- Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Quinoa from Bobbi’s Kosy Kitchen
- Slow Cooker Italian Barley & Sausage from Foxes Loves Lemons
- Tomato Basil Soup with Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwiches from Food Done Light
- Tomato Goat Cheese Arugula Flatbread from Family Foodie
Delightful Desserts
- Easy to be Green Chocolate Chip Cookies from What Smells So Good?
- Fruit Parfait from Desserts Required
- Maple Pear Scones from Killer Bunnies, Inc
- Easy Blackberry Crumble from The Perfect Brownie
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.
Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.
I know it’s early in the morning when I’m commenting on this, but it would be totally acceptable for me to whip this up as breakfast, right? Because this looks freaking delicious.
Pingback: Meyer Lemon Roasted Chicken Thighs, Fennel and Sweet Potatoes | 4theloveofcocktails
Pingback: Kale Pesto with Squash Noodles for #SundaySupper - Ruffles & Truffles
Pingback: A Lighter New Year for #SundaySupper!
Pingback: Tomato Goat Cheese and Arugula Flatbread
Pingback: Salmon with Mushrooms #SundaySupper - Cooking Chat
Pingback: Easy Blackberry Crumble Recipe
What a seriously beautiful dish! I am loving the Meyer lemons you included…I haven’t seen them around my neck of the woods lately…and I love their flavor!
Pingback: Tomato Basil Soup with Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwiches #SundaySupper | Food Done Light
Pingback: Nutty Granola Bars | Pies and Plots
Pingback: Fava Bean Avocado Guacamole (#SundaySupper) - Pancake Warriors
This looks so good…and I’m with you on fennel. I avoided it forever, but cooked it as part of a recipe challenge and fell in love with it oven-roasted. Now I want to make this gorgeous dish…so nice for cool Winter nights!!
Pingback: Light Eggs Benedict for #SundaySupper
Pingback: Chocolate-Covered Berries Green Smoothie - Cupcakes & Kale Chips
Hi! In addition to being a SS member, I write a food column for a chain of local papers. I would like to feature your recipe and photo in my early January column. How should I attribute these? and thanks! cathy from Delaware Girl Eats
Hi Cathy, can you shoot an email with more information on your column? Thanks!
Pingback: Meyer Lemon Roasted Chicken Thighs, Fennel and Sweet Potatoes #SundaySupper | 4theloveofcocktails
Pingback: Shredded Brussels Sprouts and Endive Slaw with Champagne Vinaigrette #SundaySupper
I like your train of thought and I love this roasted chicken with lemon and the fennel sweet potatoes!
Pingback: Maple Pear Scones Recipe | Killer Bunnies, Inc
Pingback: Black Pepper Tofu with Black Garlic Sauce #SundaySupper - Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
Pingback: Wake Up & Make An Apple Crumble Smoothie Bowl #SundaySupper - tryanythingonceculinary.com
Oh yes, roasting really does awesome things.
And you have really outdone yourself with this recipe. It’s making me want chicken and I don’t eat chicken.
This dinner is eye candy for sure. Beautiful! And now I just want to eat it.
I am drooling over this dish. You are so right about roasting. It is my favorite way to cook.
Hellooooooooooo big ol’ skillet of yumminess!! I need to find some meyer lemons ASAP!
I agree, diet is a “4-letter word” lol! I say, let’s just enjoy this delicious chicken!
This is a beautiful plate of food. I totally agree with you on how roasting anything really changes the flavor profile — fennel is definitely more flavorful after roasting. I need to make some!
Meyer lemon + chicken = perfection! Beautiful dish!
Pingback: Broccoli Pesto #SundaySupper
I adore Meyers, eat them like oranges! This would be a great use for them
Good eating is on the books this year here, definitely! Good on you for keeping it real, too (phew on the chocolate score) and a very happy new year to you, as well as to this delectable dish!
I love the flavor in this dish and the addition of fennel and sweet potato! Delish!
i don’t care for the word diet either so I’m on board with that. Nice way to use fennel. I’m not really experienced with it so I can use all the recipes I can get!
Totally. Roasting for the win. My dinner tonight is roasted salmon, roasted broccoli and roasted potatoes. I mean, as long as I can fit it all in the oven. Also, YES to bone-in, skin-on chicken. So much more flavor!
yayyy! My kind of good eating!!
I shared this on my facebook page and my friend Anne fell in love with it! I have to make this soon!
Pingback: French Potato Leek Soup {Crock Pot} #SundaySupper • Curious Cuisiniere
Pingback: Marinated Tomato and Mozzarella Salad for #SundaySupper - From Gate to Plate
Totally agree – roasting is the way to go! And I think “diet” is out, eating well is in. I really like how there’s a positive trend in this direction among lots of bloggers too. Out with the yo-yo dieting, in with the feeling good lifestyle choices!
Pingback: 15 Simple One Pot Dinner Ideas - Bless This Mess