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Easy Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies Recipe for Beginners to Make Perfect Dinner

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A simple, beginner-friendly sheet pan dinner featuring juicy roasted chicken breasts and caramelized vegetables, seasoned with garlic, smoked paprika, and lemon zest. Ready in under 40 minutes with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs / 680 g)
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch thick rounds
  • 1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 small red onion, cut into wedges
  • 1 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 lemon, cut into wedges (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Prepare the vegetables as described.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Stir well.
  4. Add the chicken breasts and chopped vegetables to the bowl. Toss to coat everything evenly with the seasoning mix.
  5. Arrange the chicken breasts on a rimmed baking sheet, leaving space between them. Scatter the vegetables around the chicken in a single layer.
  6. Roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes. After about 12 minutes, flip the chicken breasts and gently toss the vegetables for even browning.
  7. Check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and the vegetables are tender with browned edges. Roast an additional 5 minutes if needed.
  8. Remove from oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Squeeze fresh lemon over the dish before serving.

Notes

Patting the chicken dry before seasoning helps achieve a crispy exterior. Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure vegetables caramelize properly. Flip chicken and toss veggies halfway through roasting for even cooking. Let chicken rest after baking to lock in juices. Fully thaw chicken before cooking for best results.

Nutrition

Keywords: sheet pan chicken, easy chicken dinner, roasted vegetables, beginner recipe, one pan meal, healthy chicken recipe, quick dinner