Family Meal
25 Chicken Sheet Pan Recipes The Whole Family Will Love
For those nights when you just want everyone to agree on something, for once.
If you consider yourself a semi-regular cook, you know that on especially long days characterized by screaming and tantrums and flooded inboxes, the sweet call of take-out can seem all too alluring. But when you find yourself stuck in a chow mein coma and your drawers become inexplicably crammed with ketchup packets and rogue fortune cookies, it might be a sign to start looking for new solutions. Enter these easy sheet pan chicken recipes.
Chicken has a reputation for starring in such meals as: “I’m just really trying to impress my in-laws,” “Yes, I’ve been watching Food Network all day,” and my personal favorite, “I actually had more than 30 minutes of free time today.” But in this new role, chicken for dinner proves that it doesn’t actually have to be a part of a full length production. In fact, it can be easy! We’re talking throw-it-on-a-baking-sheet-and-call-it-a-day easy.
After all, when it comes down to it, these recipes are really just healthier, more delicious departures from the drive-through chicken nuggets you would otherwise be eating... so why not go for it? They’re quick, they’re simple, and they’re delicious, plus they’re perfect for leftovers and meal prep (if you have the self control). So the next time you’re craving a hot meal but are unwilling to commit to stacks of dishes, 12 different trips to the grocery store, and a whole playlist of YouTube tutorials, resist the urge to chicken out and give these sheet pan chicken dinner recipes a try instead.
1Chicken Fajitas
These sheet pan fajitas from No. 2 Pencil are an act of pure genius. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but they also pack a punch, proving that chicken dinner doesn't have to be boring. Add a few warm tortillas, and dinner is served!
2Balsamic Chicken With Potatoes & Carrots
Tiffany of Creme De La Crumb says the smell of this balsamic chicken reminds her of an autumn day. Recreate that same moment in your own kitchen with this family-friendly recipe, and you'll be wishing for fall to get here faster. But truthfully, this easy recipe is perfect for any season.
3Lemon Chicken Dinner
Looking for healthy dinner options in a pinch can be difficult, but recipes like this one from Tastes Of Lizzy T fit the bill. Full of bright citrus flavor, this lemon chicken is light, refreshing, and delightfully easy to make. If you’re feeling a little less summer and a little more autumn, sub sweet potatoes or yams for the potatoes in this dish.
4Chicken Shawarma
This Middle Eastern inspired meal is a great way to break up your everyday routine and cut down on cleanup time. According to Bobbi of Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen, this chicken shawarma is so delicious, her family asked if she would consider delivering it. Follow in her footsteps, and you might get a few similar reactions yourself.
5Honey Mustard Chicken And Vegetables
With a special honey mustard glaze, this dinner from Joyful Healthy Eats will have you drooling. Not only is the chicken full of caramelized goodness, but it takes a mere half hour to make. What are you waiting for?
6Baked Chicken Parmesan
Listen, chicken is great. But chicken slathered in cheese and tomato sauce is on a different level, as proven by this chicken parmesan from The Cookie Rookie. Cooking this recipe in a sheet pan also makes it a healthier version of the fan favorite, so you and your family can enjoy guilt-free.
7Chicken Tinga Bowls
Whoever thinks sheet pan chicken is bland needs to try this. It's no secret that taco and burrito bowls are all the rage, but now you can skip the lines and make your own at home, thanks to chicken tinga bowl recipe from Pinch of Yum. No mess, no fuss, just piles of saucy goodness, perfect for lunch or a fast pick me up after a long day.
8Chicken Puttanesca
This is hands down some of the most beautiful chicken ever, and it's equally delicious. Taking inspiration from pasta puttanesca, this sheet pan recipe from The View From Great Island gives a classic meal a modern twist. Perfect when you're looking to get creative or impress your guests without spending the whole day in the kitchen.
9Hot Honey Baked Chicken Dinner
Phi, the writer behind the Sweet Phi blog, is all about making recipes that are as sweet as she is, and this chicken is no exception. Add her easy hot honey to the mix for tons of unexpected flavor you'll fall in love with. Bonus points: You can totally use the leftover honey for whatever your heart desires (veggies, dressings, etc.).
10Sticky Chicken With Pineapple Salsa
First of all, is anyone else drooling right now? There's something so tropical about this sticky chicken from How Sweet Eats, and that fresh pineapple salsa will make you want to go on vacation ASAP. If you're looking for a little taste of paradise, this is all of that on one plate (or pan, to be exact).
11Maple Apricot Chicken
The lovely thing about this maple apricot chicken from Carlsbad Cravings is that the only real work is in the prep, making it the perfect recipe to set up on the weekend and enjoy during the week. Its sweet glaze looks simply mouthwatering, but there's also a little spice to keep things balanced. Perfect for when you know there's a chaotic week ahead of you.
12Herb Grapefruit Chicken With Roasted Vegetables
For families with smaller children, sometimes you may want to switch things up at dinner, only to realize your kids are still stuck on the same old familiar meals. However, this herb grapefruit chicken from The Forked Spoon promises to be both kid friendly and full of flavor. Finally, a solution where everybody wins!
13Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken
This pineapple teriyaki chicken recipe from The Creative Bite is a great way to help your children experiment a little more with their fruits and veggies. Plus, the savory taste of the teriyaki sauce paired with the sweet pineapple is a match made in heaven. It's truly a dinner that checks all the boxes, minus the hassle.
14Mediterranean Chicken Dinner
The Café Sucre Farine is known for its elegant recipes, and this Mediterranean inspired meal proves it. However, you don't have to spend a ton of time or money just because this particular recipe looks so fancy. Despite appearances, this whole dish can actually be made in less than an hour, and your family will never know. It's a dish that's made to impress, only without the usual time commitment.
15Garlic Chicken And Veggies
Whenever you're in doubt about how to make a simple meal 10 times more delicious, just think garlic, garlic, garlic. This chicken and veggies recipe from Eazy Peazy Mealz is full of it, which is another great way to make vegetables (and healthy eating in general) seem appealing to kids. And though this recipe opts for carrots, zucchini, asparagus, and Brussels sprouts, any veggie combo would work.
16Pesto Chicken Dinner
The homemade pesto in this picture will immediately make you hungry, and its price tag is even more appetizing. This pesto chicken from Budget Bytes highlights yet another wonderful aspect of sheet pan cooking, which is its affordability. Spend less, clean less, and eat better — what's not to love?
17Chicken With Rainbow Vegetables
Here's yet another stunning creation by Well Plated that is just as enjoyable to eat as it is to look at. This chicken and rainbow veggies recipe draws inspiration from Italy and keeps things simple by giving the traditional Italian flavors their time in the spotlight. All the gorgeous colors in this meal also indicate that this meal is not only tasty, but nutritious as well. You really can't go wrong!
18Greek Chicken With Peppers And Potatoes
For Kelsey Nixon, a great meal has a lot to do with a great sauce, and this Greek chicken recipe delivers on that end. This meal keeps it simple and sticks to classic flavors, yielding a refreshing yet flavorful meal you'll want to have on deck at all times during the week. Skip the trip to Mykonos and get a taste of all this Greek goodness in your own home.
19Moroccan Chicken And Potatoes
Don't be afraid to dig into your pantry for this Moroccan chicken recipe from Nutmeg Nanny. This is a meal that will likely put a lot of what you already have to good use, making it a convenient but exciting option for dinner time. Plus, the sweet and spicy flavor combo makes for a great departure from the traditional chicken for dinner recipes.
20Korean Chicken Bowl
Coated in a sweet and spicy gochujang-based sauce, this Korean chicken bowl by Half-Baked Harvest is a colorful, balanced, and quick meal to make on any busy weeknight. Featuring roasted sweet potatoes, veggies, and steamed rice alongside the Korean-inspired chicken, this dinner has it all. Plus, investing in a container of gochujang (Korean chili paste) is well worth it for meals to come.
21Bruschetta Chicken
Chung-Ah Ree of Damn Delicious says that this bruschetta chicken recipe is currently her favorite sheet pan dinner. And it’s no wonder: It’s filled with garlic parmesan roasted potatoes, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and juicy chicken breasts. This basically screams Italian summertime, and you’ll be so ready to be transported.
22Herb Roasted Chicken
Have you herb the latest? This herb roasted chicken recipe from I Am A Food Blog’s Stephanie Le is absolutely scrumptious. As she puts it, this super simple sheet pan dinner is perfectly suited for cozy autumn nights while streaming some shows. Swap the microwave for the oven, and it’s basically a modern-day TV dinner — an instant go-to classic.
23Pesto Chicken Meatballs
This juicy, basil pesto baked meatball recipe comes from Ev’s Eats. While Evi opted to nest her meatballs atop a hearty plate of spaghetti and tomatoes, the options are truly endless. These chicken meatballs work as an easy-does-it and delicious protein that goes well with any side, such as roasted veggies or potatoes to make while the oven is hot.
24Pasta Bake With Chicken And Kale
Who doesn’t love a pasta bake? They’re incredibly yummy and require the easiest of cleanups. This sheet pan pasta bake with chicken and kale from Two Peas & Their Pod will be a hit with the whole family, because no one can resist crispy panko edges and gooey mozzarella cheese pulls. Not to mention, the sneaky kale addition is a great way to get your little ones to eat the leafy green without compromising deliciousness.
25Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
In a brilliant symphony of seasoning and deliciousness, this honey garlic recipe from Wry Toast Eats acts as the perfect sheet pan finale. Perfectly crispy and golden brown, this is the kind of chicken that will come close to melting in your mouth. There's just no beating it, and these friendly flavor combinations will be loved by everyone in the family.
Cooking can be a joy, but on a busy weekday filled with stress, it becomes more of a pain. Some of the biggest cooking gripes center around dishes, cleanup, and time, so why not consider a dinner that takes care of these woes and more? Baking proteins like chicken is also a smart and affordable way to get kids to eat clean, while leaving enough leftovers to pack in the next day's lunch. It's truly the solution you've been searching for, which means there's no better time to add sheet pan cooking into your family's routine.
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