The “One Pan Chicken and Potatoes Recipe” is truly a lifesaver for busy weeknights, offering a harmonious blend of juicy chicken and crispy potatoes, all enveloped in a rich and zesty sauce. This dish brings together wholesome ingredients for flavors that dance off the plate, leaving everyone asking for seconds.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Cooking: Everything cooks in a single pan, saving time on clean-up and keeping the process stress-free.
- Family Favorite: The juicy chicken and perfectly seasoned potatoes are a hit with kids and adults alike.
- Nutrient-Packed: Loaded with proteins and nutrients, it’s a wholesome meal that’s as healthy as it is delicious.
- Customizable: Easily switch up the spices and herbs to suit your personal taste preferences.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This One Pan Chicken and Potatoes Recipe features simple yet crucial ingredients that bring the dish to life. Each component plays a role in building rich layers of flavor, ensuring that every bite is as delightful as the last.
- Chicken Thighs and Drumsticks: These cuts remain tender and juicy after roasting, absorbing the flavors wonderfully.
- Potatoes: Choose small, waxy potatoes for their ability to hold shape while crisping up beautifully.
- Olive Oil: Provides richness and helps crisp the chicken and potatoes while enhancing the flavor of the dish.
- Garlic: Fresh cloves offer a pungent aroma and depth of flavor.
- Lemon Juice and Zest: These add a refreshing tang, brightening up the overall taste.
- Tomato Paste: Gives a slightly sweet and intense umami depth.
- Oregano and Paprika: Seasonings that add earthiness and a hint of smokiness to the mix.
- Parsley: A fresh garnish that adds color and a herby finish to the dish.
Variations
Feel free to play with this One Pan Chicken and Potatoes Recipe to suit your mood or dietary needs. It’s exceptionally flexible, allowing you to tweak spices or swap out ingredients easily, creating a dish that’s uniquely yours.
- Spicy Kick: Add some chili flakes or cayenne pepper to the sauce for an extra layer of heat.
- Herb Swap: Experiment with rosemary or thyme in place of oregano for different herbal notes.
- Vegetable Add-In: Include other vegetables like bell peppers or carrots for additional flavor and nutrients.
How to Make One Pan Chicken and Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Ensuring the oven is hot when you place the pan inside is key to achieving that deliciously crispy skin on the chicken and perfectly cooked potatoes.
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, minced garlic, tomato paste, lemon juice and zest, salt, oregano, black pepper, and paprika. This mixture becomes the flavor powerhouse of the dish, coating every piece of chicken and potato thoroughly.
Step 3: Arrange and Coat
Pat the chicken and potatoes dry with a paper towel, which helps them roast rather than steam in the oven. Place them on a baking sheet, then drizzle the prepared sauce over them, tossing everything to ensure even coating.
Step 4: Bake
Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake for about 40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the potatoes are tender. You’ll know it’s ready when a food thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken reads 165°F (74°C).
Step 5: Rest and Garnish
Once done, remove the pan from the oven and let the dish rest for 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the chicken. Finally, garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and a hint of fresh flavor.
Pro Tips for Making One Pan Chicken and Potatoes Recipe
- Crispy Skin Secret: Make sure to pat the chicken dry thoroughly. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness!
- Sauce Distribution: Use a brush to evenly spread the sauce over the chicken and potatoes for maximum flavor impact.
- Oven Positioning: Place the rack in the middle of the oven to ensure even cooking without burning.
- Check for Doneness: Use a meat thermometer for precise cooking, and adjust bake time based on your oven as needed.
How to Serve One Pan Chicken and Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkling of fresh parsley offers a vibrant finish and a fresh herbal note. You might also try adding a pinch of lemon zest on top just before serving to enhance the citrusy undertones.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with a simple mixed green salad or roasted seasonal vegetables to add a contrasting texture and color to your meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a rustic and homely presentation, serve directly from the pan, allowing every diner to help themselves. Alternatively, arrange the chicken and potatoes on a large platter, interspersed with bright green parsley for an inviting display.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Ensure the dish has cooled completely before transferring it to the fridge.
Freezing
You can freeze this dish for up to 2 months. Allow it to cool, store it in freezer-safe containers, and make sure it’s well-sealed to avoid freezer burn.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through, or use a microwave for a quicker option. If using the oven, cover with foil to retain moisture.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs and drumsticks?
Yes, you can use chicken breasts, but be mindful they cook faster than thighs and drumsticks. You might need to adjust cooking time to prevent dryness.
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What type of potatoes works best for this recipe?
Waxy potatoes such as Yukon Gold or red potatoes are perfect since they hold their shape better during baking.
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How do I double the recipe for a larger crowd?
Simply double the quantities of all ingredients and use two sheet pans to ensure everything cooks evenly and nothing overlaps.
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Is there a substitute for the tomato paste?
If out of tomato paste, try using ketchup or a small amount of canned tomato sauce, adjusting for sweetness accordingly.
Final Thoughts
This One Pan Chicken and Potatoes Recipe is the embodiment of comfort and convenience, a dish that promises each dining experience is filled with warmth and joy. I can’t wait for you to try it and fall in love with how satisfying and flavorful a simple meal can be!
PrintOne Pan Chicken and Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This delicious one-pan chicken and potatoes recipe is perfect for a hearty and flavorful meal. Juicy chicken thighs and crispy potatoes are coated in a zesty lemon garlic sauce, baked to perfection, and garnished with fresh parsley. It’s an easy, hands-off dish that requires minimal prep and cleanup, making it ideal for busy weeknights or a comforting family dinner.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 lb chicken thighs and drumsticks
For the Potatoes:
- 22 oz potatoes (about 4-5 medium potatoes)
For the Sauce:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup lemon juice (about 2 large lemons)
- 1 Tbsp lemon zest
- 1 1/2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 Tbsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
For Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, tomato paste, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, oregano, black pepper, and paprika. Mix thoroughly until well blended.
- Prepare the Chicken and Potatoes: Pat dry the chicken thighs and drumsticks, and peel if desired. Wash and chop potatoes into evenly sized pieces for even cooking. Arrange chicken and potatoes on a large sheet pan or rimmed baking sheet.
- Coat with Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and potatoes, tossing gently to ensure everything is coated evenly.
- Bake: Roast in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C) and potatoes are tender and golden.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving for fresh flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Use a food thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
- Chopped potatoes can be sliced into smaller pieces to accelerate cooking time if desired.
- This dish pairs well with a side of steamed vegetables or a light salad.
- To make this dish gluten-free, ensure your tomato paste and seasonings do not contain gluten additives.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 175 mg