Name: Roast Chicken with Caramelized Lemons, Cherry Tomatoes and Olives
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tbsp vegetable or canola oil; 4 chicken breasts; 1 tsp kosher salt; 1 lemon; 0.5 cup pitted black olives; 0.5 cup cherry tomatoes; Handful thyme

This Roast Chicken with Caramelized Lemons, Cherry Tomatoes and Olives has quickly become one of my trusted, tried and true dinner entrees for a plethora of reasons. It’s super simple (hello only 5 ingredients and only one pan) and incredibly delicious. This is one of the best Roast Chicken recipes you’ll try this week!

Dinner

30 m

American

Weelicious

March 16, 2026

Weelicious.com

Roast Chicken with Caramelized Lemons, Cherry Tomatoes and Olives

Roast Chicken with Caramelized Lemons, Cherry Tomatoes and Olives cover

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Roast Chicken with Caramelized Lemons, Cherry Tomatoes and Olives

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Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Roast Chicken with Caramelized Lemons, Cherry Tomatoes and Olives

Instructions

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 450°F.

Heat the oil in an oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat.

Pat the chicken breasts dry, make sure they are very dry, and sprinkle the top with the salt.

Place the chicken breasts, skin side down, in the heated oil and sear for 5 minutes, or until skin is crisp and golden brown.

Flip the chicken over. Add the lemon, olives, tomatoes and thyme to the skillet and transfer to the oven.

Roast for 25 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.

Nutrition

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Dry Your Chicken First 💧
Pat the chicken breasts completely dry with paper towels before roasting—this removes surface moisture and ensures a golden, caramelized crust rather than steamed skin.
Caramelize Lemons Separately 🍋
Cut lemons into thick rounds and sear them in the hot pan for 2-3 minutes per side before adding the chicken—this concentrates their natural sugars and prevents them from becoming bitter during the longer roasting time.
Oil Temperature is Critical 🌡️
Wait until your oil shimmers and wisps of smoke appear before adding the chicken—this high heat creates the Maillard reaction for deep, complex flavors that make this dish truly special.
Pound for Even Cooking 🔨
Gently pound chicken breasts to uniform ¾-inch thickness before cooking—this ensures even roasting so no parts dry out while others remain underdone.
Layer Flavors with Thyme Timing 🌿
Reserve half your fresh thyme to sprinkle directly over the finished dish—this preserves its bright, aromatic qualities while the cooked portion infuses the pan sauce.