4.19 76 Published Oct 07, 2021, Updated Oct 07, 2024 I don’t know about you, but whenever I can limit the amount of dirty dishes I have to do after a meal I’m stoked. There’s nothing worse than finishing a delicious dinner and quickly realizing you have a mountain of dishes to do. Especially on a weeknight. I can’t take credit for this recipe as it’s inspired and adapted from this recipe from Rachel Ray. She really is the queen of quick and easy meals! I only made a few small changes, which I’ve included in the recipe below. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do.
What You Need
chicken thighs – either bone in or boneless work! If you don’t eat meat, tofu or tempeh would also work great in this recipe. I don’t recommend using chicken breast because they will become dry during the time it takes for the vegetables to roast. Check out these other chicken recipes if you only have chicken breasts on hand! vegetables – Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, red or yellow onion and garlic cloves. Feel free to customize the veggies. See some ideas below! lemon – trust me on this one! Lemon adds a hint of acid that brightens the flavors of this dish. olive oil – to roast the vegetables and part of the marinade for the chicken. Avocado oil would work here as well. balsamic vinegar – this slightly sweet vinegar is part of the marinade for the vegetables. The balsamic vinegar helps create a delicious, caramelized crust while the vegetables roast. apple cider vinegar – part of the chicken marinade. Vinegar helps tenderize the meat and adds a ton of flavor. seasonings and spices – fennel seeds, crushed red pepper, paprika, garlic powder, freshly grated nutmeg, fresh sage, sea salt and pepper.
The Best Veggies for Sheet Pan Meals
The vegetables in this meal are completely customizable but not all vegetables are great for sheet pan meals. The best vegetables will hold up well during roasting and will develop a delicious caramelized flavor. Here are some options:
potatoes – I love roasted sweet potatoes, but white or red potatoes also work great. squash – any type of squash roasts really well! I’ve made roasted delicata squash, butternut squash, acorn squash and kabocha squash. carrots – I love roasted carrots! The end result is slightly crunchy but soft and caramelized at the same time. Brussels sprouts – is there any other way to enjoy brussels sprouts? Not in my mind! broccoli and cauliflower – both broccoli and cauliflower roast up so beautifully! If you aren’t a fan these veggies steamed, you need to try them roasted. onion – add a major flavor punch by throwing some onion on the pan with the rest of your veggies. asparagus – another vegetable that is best roasted! Roasted asparagus is a staple in our home. bell pepper – add crunch, zest and a slightly sweet flavor with sliced bell pepper.
How to Serve
While this recipe can absolutely be a meal on its own, you can also pair it with a side if you’re more of a volume eater like me! Here are some ideas:
Serve with quinoa, brown rice or chickpea pasta if you need a grain to fill out your meal. Looking for more vegetables? Throw all of the ingredients on the sheet pan on a bed of greens and top with a dressing of choice! Don’t love the mixture of hot and cold temperatures? A side salad works great as well. This spinach salad or garlicky kale salad are both great options.
How to Store
This sheet pan meal is great for meal prep! I love making a big batch on the weekend so we have leftovers for lunch/dinner for the week ahead. For leftovers, I recommend storing them all together in an airtight container. Leftovers will last up to five days in the refrigerator. To reheat, I recommend spreading the leftovers on a sheet pan and reheating in the oven. If you’re in a rush, the microwave will work but the vegetables won’t be as crispy.
Easy Sheet Pan Recipes
Lemon Garlic Chicken Sheet Pan Meal Asian Chicken Sheet Pan Meal Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage and Roasted Veggies Vegetarian Sheet Pan Dinner with Tofu Sriracha Cauliflower and Chickpea Sheet Pan Meal Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas Shrimp Scampi Sheet Pan Meal Honey Mustard Chicken Sheet Pan Meal One Pan Chicken Sausage and Orzo
