Are you searching for a dinner recipe that’s both incredibly easy and bursting with flavor? Look no further! Inspired by the queen of effortless home cooking, Ree Drummond, also known as the Pioneer Woman, this sheet pan chicken recipe is about to become your new weeknight staple. Imagine juicy, tender chicken thighs and vibrant, perfectly roasted vegetables all cooked together on a single pan. It’s not just a meal; it’s a symphony of tastes and textures that will delight your family and simplify your kitchen routine.
Why Sheet Pan Chicken is a Weeknight Winner
Sheet pan dinners are a game-changer for busy individuals and families, and for good reason. They offer a multitude of benefits that make them ideal for quick and healthy meals:
- Effortless Cooking: Simply toss your ingredients onto a sheet pan, bake, and you’re done! Minimal hands-on time allows you to focus on other tasks or simply relax while dinner cooks itself.
- Easy Cleanup: One pan means minimal dishes. Line your sheet pan with foil for even easier cleanup, making post-dinner tidying a breeze.
- Nutritious and Balanced: Sheet pan chicken recipes are a fantastic way to incorporate a variety of vegetables into your diet alongside lean protein, creating a balanced and wholesome meal.
- Customizable: The beauty of sheet pan cooking lies in its versatility. You can easily swap vegetables based on your preferences or what you have on hand. Chicken thighs can be substituted with chicken breasts or drumsticks, and seasonings can be adjusted to your liking.
- Flavorful and Delicious: Roasting vegetables and chicken together on a sheet pan intensifies their natural flavors, creating a delicious caramelized char and tender textures.
This Pioneer Woman inspired sheet pan chicken recipe takes all these advantages and elevates them with a mouthwatering teriyaki glaze that’s both sweet and savory.
Pioneer Woman Inspired Teriyaki Chicken Sheet Pan Recipe
This recipe, adapted from a recipe featured in “The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Super Easy!” cookbook, delivers on its promise of simplicity and incredible taste. Get ready for a vibrant and flavorful sheet pan supper that’s ready in under 30 minutes!
Yields: 8 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 bunch asparagus, ends trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 8 green onions, halved lengthwise and cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces
- 1 head broccoli, cut into small florets
- 12 multicolor mini peppers, stemmed and halved lengthwise
- 1 large red onion, cut into large chunks
- 1 ½ cups (12 ounces) teriyaki sauce, divided
- 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Grated zest of one lime
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
- Cilantro leaves, for garnish
Equipment
- Sheet pan
- Foil (optional, for easier cleanup)
- Two small bowls
- Pastry brush
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a sheet pan with foil if desired.
- Veggie Prep: Place all the prepared vegetables (asparagus, green onions, broccoli, mini peppers, and red onion) onto the sheet pan.
- First Sauce Bath: Drizzle ¾ cup of teriyaki sauce over the vegetables on the sheet pan. Toss the vegetables to ensure they are evenly coated in the sauce.
- Chicken Time: Arrange the boneless, skinless chicken thighs on top of the sauced vegetables.
- Sauce the Chicken: Divide the remaining ¾ cup of teriyaki sauce into two small bowls. Using a pastry brush, liberally brush the chicken thighs with the sauce from one of the bowls.
- Bake: Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes.
- Second Sauce Layer: After 15 minutes, remove the sheet pan from the oven. Using a clean pastry brush (wash the first one while the chicken was baking), brush the chicken with the teriyaki sauce from the second bowl.
- Broil for Caramelization: Turn on your oven broiler. Broil the chicken and vegetables until the sauce begins to caramelize and the chicken is cooked through, about 3-4 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning! Chicken is cooked through when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Lime Zest and Garnish: Remove the sheet pan from the oven. Grate lime zest all over the chicken and vegetables. Sprinkle sesame seeds and fresh cilantro leaves over the dish for garnish.
- Serve and Enjoy: Divide the teriyaki chicken and vegetables onto plates and serve immediately.
Sheet pan teriyaki chicken and vegetables garnished with lime zest, sesame seeds, and cilantro.
Tips for the Best Pioneer Woman Sheet Pan Chicken
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Ensure vegetables and chicken are in a single layer on the sheet pan. Overcrowding can lead to steaming instead of roasting, resulting in less crispy vegetables and unevenly cooked chicken. Use two sheet pans if necessary.
- Cut vegetables uniformly: Cutting vegetables into similar sizes helps them cook evenly.
- Two-step saucing: Brushing the chicken with teriyaki sauce in two stages – before baking and again before broiling – creates a richer flavor and prevents the sauce from burning during the longer baking time. The second brushing during broiling helps achieve that desirable caramelized glaze.
- Broiler caution: Keep a close eye on the chicken and vegetables while broiling as it can go from perfectly caramelized to burnt quickly.
- Customize your veggies: Feel free to substitute or add other vegetables like bell peppers (any color), zucchini, snap peas, or carrots. Root vegetables like potatoes or sweet potatoes will require a longer roasting time and may need to be added to the pan earlier.
- Spice it up: For an extra kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the teriyaki sauce or include a drizzle of sriracha before serving. You can also mix minced garlic and hot chile oil into the teriyaki sauce as suggested in the original recipe variations.
- Chicken variations: Chicken drumsticks or breasts can be used instead of thighs. Adjust cooking time accordingly, ensuring chicken is cooked through.
Serving Suggestions for Sheet Pan Teriyaki Chicken
While this sheet pan chicken is delicious on its own, here are a few serving suggestions to make it a complete meal:
- Rice or Noodles: Serve over a bed of fluffy white rice, brown rice, or your favorite noodles to soak up the delicious teriyaki sauce. Quinoa or couscous are also great options.
- Salad: Pair with a light and refreshing side salad to balance the richness of the teriyaki glaze.
- Grains: Serve alongside other grains like farro or barley for a heartier meal.
- Make it a bowl: Combine the sheet pan chicken and vegetables with rice or quinoa and your favorite bowl additions like avocado, edamame, or a sprinkle of chopped peanuts for extra texture and flavor.
This Pioneer Woman Sheet Pan Chicken recipe is a testament to the fact that easy meals can be incredibly delicious and satisfying. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, or anyone looking for a healthy and flavorful meal without spending hours in the kitchen. So, grab a sheet pan and get ready to enjoy a fuss-free, flavor-packed dinner that will become a new favorite in your recipe collection!
