Name: Toaster-Oven Roasted Chicken with Lemon and Thyme
Total time: 1 h
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon unsalted butter , softened, plus 1⁄2 tablespoon melted; 1⁄4 teaspoon grated lemon zest; 1⁄8 teaspoon pepper , divided; 1⁄2 teaspoon table salt , divided; 1⁄4 teaspoon minced fresh thyme or pinch dried; 1 (12-ounce) bone-in split chicken breast , trimmed

Why This Recipe Works

Using your toaster oven to make dinner means that when you’re done, the small sheet pan and rack can be tossed in the dishwasher and you get more time to unwind. Plus, any mess that happens within the toaster only takes a paper towel or two to clean up. While chicken is a weeknight staple, recipes for roasted chicken breasts often produce dry meat and flabby skin. Attempts to mask these letdowns with potent ingredients only makes matters worse. We found a few ways to get superb roasted chicken, perfect for one whenever you need a reliable, tasty meal. We started with flavorful bone-in, skin-on chicken to insulate the meat and keep it juicy. We infused the chicken with flavor by spreading butter, flavored with simple stir-ins, under the skin before cooking. Then we brushed the chicken breast with melted butter and roasted it in a 400-degree toaster to encourage crisp skin.

Before You Begin

This recipe is written to serve 1 but can be easily scaled to serve up to 4 people.

Instructions

Adjust toaster oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Combine softened butter, 1⁄4 teaspoon salt, lemon zest, thyme, and pinch pepper in bowl.

Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Use your fingers to gently loosen center portion of skin covering breast. Place butter mixture under skin and gently press on skin to spread mixture evenly over meat. Arrange chicken skin side up on small rimmed baking sheet. Brush chicken skin with melted butter and sprinkle with remaining 1⁄4 teaspoon salt and remaining pinch pepper.

Roast chicken until it registers 160 degrees, 35 to 40 minutes, rotating sheet halfway through roasting. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.