Summer Chicken with Peaches – Easy One-Pan Recipe

There’s something magical about the flavors of summer—ripe, juicy peaches, zesty citrus, and fragrant herbs—and this Summer Chicken with Peaches captures it all in one irresistible dish. 

Golden, crispy chicken thighs are roasted to perfection alongside sweet ripe peach slices and red onions, then finished with a tangy-sweet glaze of lemon, honey, and warm spices like smoked paprika and cayenne. 

It’s a dish that’s both rustic and elegant, perfect for backyard dinners or easy weeknight meals. It’s simple to make in one large casserole dish and is bursting with flavor. 

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How to Make Summer Chicken with Peaches

Ingredients

  • 6 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs
  • 3 fresh peaches, cut into slices
  • 1 small red onion, finely sliced
  • 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
  • 1 Tbsp Garlic Powder
  • ½ tsp Cayenne Pepper
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Juice and zest from 1 lemon
  • Fresh herbs (Rosemary, thyme, or basil all work well)
  • Drizzle of honey
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

A large pan of Summer chicken with peaches garnished with some fresh basil

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 – Season chicken thighs

  • Preheat oven to 200°C / 400°F
  • Add the chicken thighs to a large oven-safe casserole dish.
  • Season generously with sweet smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and a dash of cayenne pepper for a little heat.
  • Drizzle with a splash of good-quality extra virgin olive oil
  • Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, and then rotate chicken thighs so they are evenly coated in the seasoning and oil.

Step 2 – Add Peaches and onion

  • Cut peaches into thin slices, around ⅛  inch (0.5cm) thick, and arrange the slices around the chicken thighs.
  • Thinly slice the onion and arrange it with the peaches. 
  • Zest 1 lemon and add another squeeze of fresh lemon juice. 
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper and bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes. 

Step 3 – Drizzle with honey and serve

  • Drizzle with a little honey (or maple syrup), garnish with lots of fresh basil (or thyme) and serve while hot! 

Cooking tips:

🔪 Prep & Ingredients

  • Choose ripe but firm peaches: Overripe peaches will get mushy when cooked. Look for peaches that give slightly when pressed but still hold their shape.
  • Pat the chicken dry: This helps the skin crisp up nicely when seared or roasted.
  • Use bone-in, skin-on thighs: They stay juicy during cooking and the skin adds rich flavor and texture.

🍳 Cooking Techniques

  • Sear the chicken first: For golden, crispy skin, start by searing the thighs skin-side down in a hot, oven-safe skillet before transferring to the oven.
  • Layer flavors: Add onions and peaches partway through roasting to keep them from overcooking and help them soak up the juices. This step is optional, and we added it from the start, but it does help make your recipe ‘look’ better (if that’s your thing!) 
  • Deglaze for more flavor: After roasting, splash a little chicken broth, white wine, or lemon juice into the pan to lift up the flavorful bits and spoon the juices over the chicken.

🍯 Flavor Enhancements

  • Balance the sweetness: Use the lemon juice and cayenne to cut through the natural sweetness of the peaches and honey.
  • Fresh herbs matter: Add rosemary or thyme before roasting, then finish with fresh basil or parsley for a pop of color and brightness.
  • Drizzle honey at the end: A light drizzle of honey right before serving enhances the glaze and gives a glossy finish.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

  • Pair with grains: Serve over couscous, farro, or rice to soak up the pan juices.
  • Add a green side: A peppery arugula salad or grilled green beans adds contrast and keeps the meal light and fresh.

Make it ahead: The chicken and peaches reheat beautifully—store them with their juices for extra flavor the next day.ste. It adds aromatic complexity and ties all the flavors together with a herbal, sun-drenched note.

A large pan of Summer chicken with peaches garnished with some fresh basil

Why You’ll Love This Summer Chicken Recipe

This Summer Chicken with Peaches recipe is a perfect match for the season because it captures everything we love about summer cooking: fresh, vibrant ingredients, minimal fuss, and bold, sunny flavors that celebrate what’s in season.

🌞 Seasonal produce at its peak
Peaches are one of summer’s star fruits—juicy, sweet, and full of sunshine. Pairing them with savory chicken creates that irresistible sweet-savory contrast that feels light but satisfying. Red onions and fresh herbs like basil or thyme round it out with garden-fresh brightness.

🔥 No heavy sauces or long stews
Unlike winter meals that rely on rich gravies and slow braises, this recipe uses zesty lemon, a touch of honey, and spices like paprika and cayenne to bring big flavor without weighing you down. It’s ideal for hot days when you want something hearty but not heavy.

⏱️ Quick, no-fuss cooking
Whether you’re grilling outside or using your oven indoors, this dish comes together quickly and doesn’t require complicated steps—perfect for laid-back summer dinners or easy entertaining.

🌿 Fresh herbs and citrus
The finishing touches—lemon zest, a drizzle of honey, and chopped herbs—give it that fresh, clean taste that feels right for the season.🍷 Pairs with everything
It’s versatile enough to serve at a casual weeknight meal or dressed up for a summer dinner party. Pair it with a chilled rosé, iced tea, or sparkling water with herbs for the full experience.


Wine Pairings

Since Summer Chicken with Peaches is both savory and slightly sweet, with zesty lemon, smoky paprika, and herbal notes, the ideal wine pairings will be light to medium-bodied, fruit-forward, and refreshing, with enough acidity to balance the sweetness of the peaches and honey.

Here are some excellent pairings:


🍷 White Wines

  1. Viognier
    • Floral and stone-fruity, Viognier echoes the peaches while holding up to the spices and herbs.
    • Look for a dry style from California or the Rhône Valley.
  2. Chenin Blanc (dry or off-dry)
    • A great match for dishes with both sweetness and acidity.
    • South African or Loire Valley versions are especially good with honey and fruit.
  3. Albariño
    Crisp, citrusy, and slightly saline—Albariño cuts through the richness of the chicken while highlighting the lemon and herbs.
  4. Unoaked Chardonnay
    Clean and structured with apple and citrus notes; avoid heavily oaked versions, which may overpower the peaches.

🍷 Rosé Wines

  1. Dry Rosé (Provence-style)
    Refreshing, lightly fruity, and versatile—great for summer and perfect with both chicken and peaches.
  2. Grenache Rosé
    Offers a bit more body and ripe red fruit that works nicely with the smoked paprika and cayenne.

🍷 Red Wines (Chilled or Light)

  1. Gamay / Beaujolais-Villages
    Bright red fruit, low tannins, and light body—serve slightly chilled for a summery red pairing.
  2. Pinot Noir
    A fruit-forward, earthy Pinot can complement the peaches and chicken, especially if you add herbs like thyme or rosemary.

Bonus: Sparkling

Brut Cava or Brut Champagne
If you’re serving this dish at a brunch or summer gathering, bubbles add elegance and balance the sweet-savory elements beautifully.


Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – Serves 6)

NutrientAmount% Daily Value (DV)
Calories390
Total Fat22g28%
– Saturated Fat5g25%
– Trans Fat0g
Cholesterol105mg35%
Sodium180mg8%
Total Carbohydrates17g6%
– Dietary Fiber2g7%
– Total Sugars14g
– Added Sugars4g8%
Protein28g56%
Vitamin C12mg13%
Vitamin A420 IU8%
Iron1.6mg9%
Calcium20mg2%
Potassium430mg9%
  • Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Notes:

  • Actual values will vary depending on chicken size and how much glaze or oil is retained after cooking..
  • Based on 1 chicken thigh per serving, with peach slices, onion, olive oil, honey, and herbs divided evenly.
  • % Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
A large pan of Summer chicken with peaches garnished with some fresh basil

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A large pan of Summer chicken with peaches garnished with some fresh basil

Summer Chicken with Peaches – Easy One-Pan Recipe

Byron
Summer Chicken with Peaches is everything you need this summer. It’s a sweet, savory dish with juicy peaches, zesty lemon, and crispy chicken—perfect for light, flavorful summer meals.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Chicken, dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 6 Main
Calories 390 kcal

Equipment

  • Large oven-safe casserole dish
  • Cooking tongs
  • Wooden Cutting Board
  • Chef Knife
  • Microplane

Ingredients
  

  • 6 skin-on bone-in chicken thighs
  • 3 fresh peaches cut into slices
  • 1 small red onion finely sliced
  • 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
  • 1 Tbsp Garlic Powder
  • ½ tsp Cayenne Pepper
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Juice and zest from 1 lemon
  • Fresh herbs Rosemary, thyme, or basil all work well
  • Drizzle of honey
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

Step 1 – Season chicken thighs

  • Preheat oven to 200°C / 400°F
  • Add the chicken thighs to a large oven-safe casserole dish.
    6 skin-on
  • Season generously with sweet smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and a dash of cayenne pepper for a little heat.
    1 tsp Smoked Paprika, 1 Tbsp Garlic Powder, ½ tsp Cayenne Pepper
  • Drizzle with a splash of good-quality extra virgin olive oil
    Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, and then rotate chicken thighs so they are evenly coated in the seasoning and oil.
    Juice and zest from 1 lemon

Step 2 – Add Peaches and onion

  • Cut peaches into thin slices, around ⅛ inch (0.5cm) thick, and arrange the slices around the chicken thighs.
    3 fresh peaches
  • Thinly slice the onion and arrange it with the peaches.
    1 small red onion
  • Zest 1 lemon and add another squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper and bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes.
    Salt and pepper to taste

Step 3 – Drizzle with honey and serve

  • Drizzle with a little honey (or maple syrup), garnish with lots of fresh basil (or thyme) and serve while hot!
    Drizzle of honey, Fresh herbs

Video

Notes

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

  • Pair with grains: Serve over couscous, farro, or rice to soak up the pan juices.
  • Add a green side: A peppery arugula salad or grilled green beans adds contrast and keeps the meal light and fresh.
  • Make it ahead: The chicken and peaches reheat beautifully—store them with their juices for extra flavor the next day.
Keyword baked chicken, Baked chicken thighs, Chicken, Chicken thighs, Dinner, easy dinner, one pan, one pan chicken, one pan recipe, peach, peaches, weeknight dinner
A large pan of Summer chicken with peaches garnished with some fresh basil

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