Fresh herbs and smoky bacon flavour this healthy dinner of Sheet Pan Chicken and Roasted Harvest Vegetables. Roasted vegetables and chicken thighs make a complete meal, made in one pan and baked on a sheet pan in the oven. Amazing flavours in an easy weeknight meal!
This post has been immensely popular. I've updated it with new photos and information to make it more helpful. Enjoy!
This sheet pan chicken dinner with roasted harvest vegetables looks like a hot mess, and that's exactly what it is!
Fall vegetables, tossed on a sheet pan, drizzled with oil and fragrant herbs, topped with chicken and bacon results in a quick meal! Believe it or not, this dinner all turns out evenly cooked in less than 40 minutes. The trick is to bake it at high heat and chop all the vegetables the same size.
One of my favourite meals to make in the fall has been Harvest Chicken with Bacon and Rosemary. It's a one-pot meal, bursting with flavour.
But in my seemingly never-ending goal to make the easiest dinners possible, I adapted that recipe and made it even more simple. This Sheet Pan Chicken and Roasted Vegetables was the result.
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❤️Why this recipe works
- Roasted tiny potatoes, sweet potatoes, zucchini, shallots, and thick chunks of sweet apple make a beautiful coloured rainbow of harvest vegetables.
- I use chicken thighs for this tasty recipe and they become perfectly seasoned and juicy with crispy, nicely browned skin
- It's all baked on, you guessed it: one pan.
- Sheet pan dinners are so convenient! This one has become one of my favorite go-to weeknight dinners. It's so easy to prepare and there's only one pan to clean. Minimal prep, minimal clean-up!
🛒 Ingredients
Ready to begin? Here's what you'll need to make this easy dinner of roasted vegetables and chicken, all baked in the oven.
- chicken thighs: bone-in, skin on thighs
- bacon: cut in small pieces
- baby potatoes: I like to use the red, yellow and blue creamer potatoes.
- sweet potatoes: or yams. Lots of stores seem to mix up these names! I use the darker orange tuber, which many people call sweet potatoes, but are actually yams!
- zucchini and/or Brussels sprouts
- shallots: or onion
- apple: a sweet variety like Honeycrisp, Fuji or Gala
- herbs: fresh or dried rosemary and thyme
- marinade ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, thyme, dried red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
🔪 Instructions
- You'll start by combining the marinade ingredients and adding the marinade to the chicken thighs. Use a marinating container or a zipper top bag. Massage the marinade into the chicken thighs, then refrigerate them while you prepare the veggies.
- Next, prepare the vegetables. Cut them roughly the same size so they'll cook at the same rate. For example, if some potatoes are larger than others, cut them in half. I like to slice Brussels sprouts in half too, as they sometimes take longer to cook.
- Now that you have them cut, transfer the veggies to a large bowl and toss with olive oil, salt and pepper.
- Arrange the vegetables on a foil-covered (or sprayed) sheet pan.
- Slice the bacon into pieces about 1-inch long and add them randomly to the sheet pan.
- And finally, add the marinated chicken thighs to the pan, laying them on top of the vegetables. Drizzle any extra marinade in the bag over the chicken and veggies.
- Roast in the oven for 35 - 40 minutes or until chicken registers 165°F. with an instant-read thermometer and has browned.
- Transfer to the broiler for 2 - 3 minutes if you like the skin crispier or if the bacon is not as crispy as you'd like. Watch carefully to prevent the skin from burning.
1. Marinate chicken thighs. 2. Cut vegetables. 
3. Toss vegetables with oil. 4. Arrange on sheet pan. 5. Add bacon pieces. 6. Add chicken thighs and bake.
Equipment
sheet pan: Use a half sheet pan. This is a heavy gauge aluminum pan with raised sides. It measures 18 inches by 13 inches. It is strong enough to be able to withstand high heat and to be placed under a broiler. (affililate link)
instant-read meat thermometer: Make sure your chicken is cooked to a safe temperature by using a meat thermometer. An instant-read thermometer is exactly what it's called. It reads the internal temperature of your chicken thighs instantly so there's no guesswork involved. (affiliate link)
👍🏼 Helpful Tips
You'll find complete step-by-step instructions in the recipe card below. Read through these helpful tips, first.
- Try to cut all vegetables the same size so they'll be ready at the same time.
- If you're using boneless thighs, they will take about 10 minutes less to cook, so cut your vegetables in slightly smaller pieces.
- Don't leave out the apple! The contrast of sweet apple and salty, smoky bacon is delicious!
- Leave the apple peel on so the slices keep their shape. Make sure you don't slice the apple too thinly, or the slices may become too soft once baked.
- Roasting time will depend on the thickness of the chicken pieces, the size of the vegetables, and the accuracy of your oven temperature.
🔁 Possible variations
You can easily substitute your favourite fall vegetables in this sheet pan chicken dinner. For example, try
- fingerling potatoes
- butternut or acorn squash cubes
- carrots
- parsnips
- white onions
- red onions
- beets
- Brussels sprouts
Make sure to cut them in uniform sizes so they will cook at the same rate.
You can also substitute boneless chicken breasts for the thighs. While they won't have as much flavour as thighs, some people prefer them. Be sure to brush them with a little oil, or baste them partway through cooking time to keep them moist.
As always, check their internal temperature with an instant-read meat thermometer. It should register 165°F.
🍽 Serving suggestions
You won't need anything more than these roasted chicken thighs and veggies to make a meal. However, if you want to make a larger meal, serve these on top of rice or quinoa.
You can also add pasta! Cook your favourite pasta shapes (or gnocchi) while the sheet pan meal is roasting in the oven, then toss it all together with cooked and drained pasta.
🗓 How to store leftovers
Remove leftover chicken and veggies from the sheet pan and transfer to an airtight container to store in the fridge. Reheat in the oven at 350°F. for 10 to 15 minutes or until heated through, or gently reheat in the microwave. You can also reheat individual portions in an air fryer by using the reheat function.
🗒More easy sheet pan dinners
Enjoy this healthy sheet pan chicken and vegetable dinner this week! And when you make it, let me know in the comments section below.
📖 Recipe Card
Sheet Pan Chicken and Roasted Harvest Vegetables
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8-9 medium chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on
Marinade Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil extra virgin
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
- sea salt and pepper to taste
Vegetables
- 24 tiny baby potatoes
- 2 medium sweet potatoes
- 2 medium shallots
- medium zucchini
- 1 medium Honeycrisp apple (or other sweet apple) cut in ¾ inch slices
- 1 tablespoon each thyme and rosemary or 1 teaspoon each dried
- sea salt and pepper to taste
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Whisk marinade ingredients together. Pat chicken dry and place in a zipper top. Pour marinade over all, close bag tightly and massage the marinade into all the chicken pieces. Refrigerate.
- Prepare a large sheet pan (with sides) by either lining it with foil or lightly coating it with oil or cooking spray.
- Chop vegetables so they are of uniform sizes. Leave apple unpeeled, remove the core and slice into ¾ inch chunks. If they are thinner, they cook too quickly and become too soft.
- Transfer vegetables to a bowl. Toss with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Arrange vegetables on sheet pan.
- Chop bacon into 1-inch pieces and arrange randomly on the vegetables.
- Place chicken pieces on top of the vegetables and drizzle with remaining marinade.
- Bake at 425°F for 35 to 40 minutes or until chicken registers at least 165°F on a meat thermometer. If you want the chicken skin crispier, place the tray under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh herbs and serve.
Notes
- Try to cut all vegetables the same size so they'll be ready at the same time.
- If you're using boneless thighs, they will take about 10 minutes less to cook, so cut your vegetables in slightly smaller pieces.
- Don't leave out the apple! The contrast of sweet apple and salty, smoky bacon is delicious!
- Leave the apple peel on so the slices keep their shape. Make sure you don't slice the apple too thinly, or the slices may become too soft once baked.
- Roasting time will depend on the thickness of the chicken pieces, the size of the vegetables, and the accuracy of your oven temperature.
Maeve
I've made this recipe several times now and it never fails to please! I change the veggies depending on what I have in the fridge or pantry. Today I subbed butternut squash for the sweet potatoes and it was just as delicious. Next time I'm going to add an extra apple!
Elaine
Thanks for the 5 stars, Maeve! I love the apples in this recipe too!
Whitney
Do you precook the bacon before you put it in the oven? Or do you addnit raw, and let it cook in the oven?
Flavour & Savour
Hi Whitney,
Lay it on top raw. It will cook and its juices will drip down and flavour the veggies. If it's not crisp enough once the chicken is fully cooked, just put the sheet pan under the broiler for a minute or two. Hope this helps!
Megan T
This is a great recipe that is very versatile! I use boneless skinless thighs and whatever veggies I have on hand. Bacon, garlic and lemon are musts!
Flavour & Savour
Thanks so much for sharing your adaptations, Megan! Much appreciated. And I agree--bacon, garlic and lemon really add to this meal!
Julie
It took more than 30 minutes on my oven. More like 40 minutes. Smells great while cooking!
Flavour & Savour
Thanks for sharing that Julie! All ovens vary, and the cooking time will also depend on the size of the chicken parts you're using. Enjoy!
Megan T
I made this recipe tonight and I think it has a lot of potential. I used skinless thighs and we like our chicken well done. I roasted for about an hour to get the chicken well done and the apples were over cooked and the vucchini was rather soft. Next time I’m going to reduce the amount of marinade and cut the bacon up smaller. I’ll give myself an hour to roast and I’ll add the apples and zucchini at about the halfway Mark when I turn the chicken over.
Penelope
Hi, I was looking for a sheet pan chicken/veggie recipe for Thanksgiving this year. Since there won't be any company coming for Thanksgiving this year, due to the virus, I wanted to make things very simple with a good and healthy meal, but less stress and work. We also love chicken more than turkey so that's why I was looking for a recipe using chicken. This sounds like it is going to fit the bill for Thanksgiving dinner here this year! I'll let you know how it turns out~~Thanks so much!!
Flavour & Savour
Great idea, Penelope! This sheet pan recipe has so much flavour and you can adapt it to your liking by using your favourite veggies! I'd love to hear back from you when you've tried it!
Kd
Thank you! Great meal, a few changes in recipe with vegetables. The honeycrip apple, sweet potatoes, and baby potatoes are excellent, added some celery for crunch. Didn't have shallots or zucchini added onion. Pre-cooked baby potatoes and sweet potatoes a few minutes in microwave to shorten time cooking on the grill. Used a disposable cookie sheet for grill. Chicken, vegetables, and apple were perfect. Quick and Easy.
Flavour & Savour
I’m so glad you liked this. It’s one of our favourite meals. Thanks for sharing all your adaptations!
Michelle
Trying this tonight- dont have lemons but I'm going to add 2 tablespoons of orange juice,should be a wonderful flavor substitution.
Flavour & Savour
Hi Michelle! I'm sure orange juice will be a delicious sub for the lemon! Enjoy! Let me know how it turned out for you.
kc
bone in chicken thighs and breasts will/should cook same time?Am anxious to prepare as it reminds of an older 25 years ago favorite. delighted I cam across this many thanks for posting.
Flavour & Savour
Yes--they should take roughly the same time to cook. Just check their internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Hope you love this as much as we do!
Christine
Made this last night... Delicious! Added Brussels sprouts which my husband loved!!
Flavour & Savour
That's great to hear, Christine! Adding sprouts is a good idea. Thanks for the suggestion. So glad you liked it, too!
Laura
Hi! How would the temp/time need to be adjusted for boneless thighs? I read through the comments but only saw alterations for chicken breasts and legs. Thanks so much!
Flavour & Savour
Hi Laura,
Boneless thighs should take about the same time as boneless breasts. Cooking time will, of course, depend on the size of the chicken pieces. It’s always best to check the temperature with a meat thermometer. Thighs should be at least 165 degrees F. Enjoy!
Denise
I've made this 4 times! The family loves it. Thanks!
Flavour & Savour
That's so good to hear! You made my day! Thanks for the 5 stars.
Paul
I would like to make this recipe. 1 question though. Do you marinade room temperature or in the refrigerator?
Flavour & Savour
Hi Paul, I suggest marinating chicken in the refrigerator. Hope you love this sheet pan meal!
Paul nakayama
I just made this recipe tonight. I use some pumpkins and whole garlics. It came out wonderful. My wife said she’ll make this for her potluck for her office workers. So must’ve been good! Thank you for a nice dinner.
Flavour & Savour
You're welcome! Adding squash and garlic sounds delicious!
Zarah
Can you marinade the chicken for a few hours before cooking or does that give a negative effect?
Flavour & Savour
Hi Zarah, Sure! That should be fine! Enjoy!