Paprika Chicken Recipe
Bored of the same old chicken dishes? This sheet pan paprika chicken recipe is the perfect way to add some flavor and excitement to your weeknight dinners. Plus, with minimal prep and easy cleanup, you’ll have more time to enjoy your meal and relax after a long day.
Are you tired of flavorless, boring chicken dishes? If you’re looking to spice things up in the kitchen, I’ve got just the recipe for you. Introducing this sheet pan paprika chicken – a meal that’s bursting with flavor and incredibly easy to prepare. Not only will it save you time, but it also requires minimal cleanup.
Why make this chicken?
- Firstly, it’s incredibly convenient. By cooking everything on a single sheet pan, you’ll save time on both prep and cleaning. Therefore, sheet pan meals are perfect for busy weeknights.
- But the real star of this dish is the paprika. Not only does it add a vibrant red color to your chicken, but it also adds a smoky, slightly sweet flavor. Using paprika in your cooking can also have some surprising health benefits – it contains antioxidants that can help support overall wellness.
- Of course, the most compelling reason to make this chicken is the taste. The combination of tender chicken and flavorful vegetables is simply unbeatable.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Paprika – Paprika is a spice that is commonly used in cooking, adding a deep, smoky flavor to a variety of dishes. But did you know that paprika also offers a host of health benefits? Paprika is rich in antioxidants that can help prevent cell damage and reduce inflammation. Additionally, paprika contains vitamins and minerals like vitamin C and iron that are essential for maintaining a healthy immune system and blood production.
When used in our sheet pan paprika chicken recipe, paprika brings out the chicken’s natural flavors and adds a subtle smokiness to the dish. Not only does this spice enhance the chicken’s flavor, but it also provides a range of health benefits, making this sheet pan meal even more nutritious. - Veggies – I am using potatoes, carrots, and garlic because that’s what I have at home all the time. And yet, feel free to switch and use your favorite veggies.
- Lemon – I love lemon when it’s really hard and roasted in a dish like this. The juices all get absorbed in the recipe, and the lemon slices taste delicious when roasted. But if you prefer, you can just squeeze the lemon over the chicken and veggies without using the lemon itself.
- Garlic – If you have never eaten roasted garlic, OMG! You must try! Then come back and rave about it in the comments below. Roasted garlic tastes like jam – the intense flavor becomes so mellow – it’s delicious spread over crusty bread. Try it.
- Olive oil – Yes, I know it’s a bit more than usual, which is why you need to use good quality olive oil – it adds so much flavor and texture to the dish.
- Onions – I love using red onions because they caramelize and become sweet. And yet, use any you have on hand, and it tastes delicious.
Step-by-step: Paprika roast chicken
- Oven – Preheat oven to 425℉/220℃/Gas Mark 5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Marinade – In a small bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients. Set aside.
- Spread – Place the chicken and vegetables on the baking tray. Season with salt and pepper.
- Marinate – Using a food-safe brush, brush each piece of chicken with the marinade on both sides. Brush the remaining marinade on the vegetables. Sprinkle the herbs all over the chicken and veggies
- Bake – Transfer to the oven and roast on the center rack for 20 minutes, then turn the chicken pieces over. Brush the chicken and veggies with the pan juices. Continue to roast for another 20 to 25 minutes until tender.
Pro tip – If you use chicken breast, do not roast it for more than 25 minutes, as it can make the chicken breast dry. And if the veggies need more time, remove the chicken breast and roast the veggies for a while longer. - Cool – Remove from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Pro tip – If you like crisp potatoes, remove the chicken pieces. Baste the potatoes and roast them a while longer.
Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken
Bored of the same old chicken dishes? This sheet pan paprika chicken recipe is the perfect way to add some flavor and excitement to your weeknight dinners. Plus, with minimal prep and easy cleanup, you'll have more time to enjoy your meal and relax after a long day.
Video
Ingredients
- 2 lbs (1 kg) Chicken pieces Boneless thighs and legs
- 2 cup Spanish red onions quartered
- 1 large Lemon quartered
- 1 large Garlic bulb skin-on, ends cut
- 2 large Potatoes cubed
- 4 large Carrots cubed
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- 1 tsp Black pepper powder
Marinade
- 1 tbsp Sweet paprika
- 1 tsp Hot paprika
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard paste
- 4 large Garlic cloves diced
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 2 sprigs Thyme broken into pieces
- 2 springs Rosemary or Tarragon
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
Method
- Oven – Preheat oven to 425℉/220℃/Gas Mark 5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Marinade – In a small bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients. Set aside.1 tbsp Sweet paprika, 1 tsp Hot paprika, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 4 large Garlic cloves, 1 tbsp Lemon juice, 2 tbsp Olive oil
- Spread – Place the chicken and vegetables on the baking tray. Season with salt and pepper.2 lbs Chicken pieces, 2 cup Spanish red onions, 1 large Lemon, 1 large Garlic bulb, 2 large Potatoes , 4 large Carrots , 1 tsp Kosher salt, 1 tsp Black pepper powder
- Marinate – Using a food-safe brush, brush the marinade on each piece of chicken on both sides. Brush the remaining marinade on the vegetables. Sprinkle the herbs all over the chicken and veggies.2 sprigs Thyme, 2 springs Rosemary
- Bake – Transfer to the oven and roast on the center rack for 20 minutes then turn the chicken pieces over. Brush the chicken and veggies with the pan juices. Continue to roast for another 20 to 25 minutes until tender. Pro tip – If you use chicken breast, do not roast it for more than 25 minutes as it can make the chicken breast dry. And if the veggies need more time, remove the chicken breast and roast the veggies for a while longer.
- Cool – Remove from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes before serving.Pro tip – If you like crisp potatoes, remove the chicken pieces. Baste the potatoes and roast a while longer.
Notes
- First, make sure the chicken is at room temperature before placing it on the sheet pan. This will ensure that the chicken cooks evenly without drying out.
- Next, line the sheet pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil. This step will prevent the chicken from sticking to the pan and make cleanup a breeze.
- When seasoning the chicken, be generous with your spices and herbs, but don’t forget to season the vegetables too. This will add flavor to the entire dish.
- Layer moist meats or veggies on top of dry ones so the top will keep the bottom from going dry. For example, breasts below the things and legs.
- Use veggies with similar cooking times. Alternatively, give the veggies that need longer cooking a head start or cook them for longer after the chicken is done.
- Use the right cooking time for the right cuts of meat. Chicken breast usually cooks quicker than chicken thigh or red meats.
- Not everything gets browned well on a sheet pan – if necessary sear the meat on the stovetop so you don’t overcook it just for browning.
- Finally, make sure not to overcrowd the sheet pan. Overcrowding will result in steaming rather than roasting, and you won’t get that crispy exterior that makes sheet pan meals so delicious.
- Now that you know the basics of cooking chicken on a sheet pan let’s dive into some creative ways you can customize our sheet pan paprika chicken recipe.
Equipment you will need
Nutrition
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Frequently asked questions
How long will this chicken keep?
This sheet pan chicken can be kept in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make sure to cover it well to prevent it from drying in the fridge. It can also be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Can I use chicken breast for this paprika chicken?
Yes, you can use chicken breast, but its cooking time is much shorter than that for thighs and legs. So, make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
What do you serve this paprika chicken with?
I love lemon chicken juices with a nice crusty bread, such as my rustic whole wheat raisin bread or my no-knead beer bread. My kids love this over my fragrant fruit and nut rice or vegetable pilaf.
Personally, I love cauliflower rice as a low-carb option.
Can I use bone-in chicken?
Yes, you can substitute boneless chicken with bone-in chicken pieces. Just note that the cooking time may be longer as they are thicker and bigger than boneless pieces.
How do I prevent the chicken from becoming dry?
To prevent dry chicken, avoid overcooking. Use a cooking thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. You can also add some olive oil to the chicken before cooking to help keep it moist.
more easy chicken dinners
- Paprika Skillet Chicken Recipe
- Easy Chicken Tacos
- Chestnut Chicken
- Summer Chicken Dinners
- Sticky Ginger Chicken Recipe
- Homemade Chicken Croquettes
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- New Orleans Chicken Wings
Love sheet pan recipes! So convenient and especially perfect for weeknight meals extra perfect when made with simple delicious ingredients like this one. Making this tonight!
Thanks, Cathy. Definitely perfect for weekdays or lazy weekend meals
I love how easy this recipe is, it would be such a perfect one to make when friends or family come over! Paprika is one of my favourite spice to cook with so I cannot wait to try this recipe
Thanks, Sylvie. Yes, this is perfect for entertaining too.
This is such a delicious and easy weeknight meal! We love it!
Absolutely, Tonje. Thanks
Just made this yesterday and we loved it. I used sweet paprika and the color and flavor. Wow.. Love this so much I plan to make it again next week when friends come over.
Thank you, Egorn. So happy you enjoyed this recipe. Sweet paprika does go well and gives a nice color too. Thank you for coming back to write this feedback. Love hearing from those who try my recipe. Wish you a Happy New Year.
BEST sheetpan cake EVER! Just made it this afternoon. Please share more sheet pan recipes. This was so easy! Thanks
Thank you, Harriet. So happy you enjoyed this recipe and enjoyed it. Thanks for coming back to write this feedback. Have a lovely day.
Made this recipe last week with store-bought paprika was so good. Thank you.
Thank you, Yalang. So happy you enjoyed this recipe and enjoyed it. Thanks for coming back to write this feedback. Have a lovely day.
This was the easiest sheet pan chicken I have ever made. And the most delicious. This one makes cooking look easy peasy. Thanks for the recipe Veena.
Thank you, Plar. I know! Easiest right? So happy to hear you had success with this recipe and loved it. Thanks for coming back to write this feedback. Have a lovely week.
I love sheet pan dinners and this was one of the easiest one I made. Thank you so much for the recipe. We loved it.
Thank you, Uurisi. So happy to know you had success with this recipe. Thank you for coming back to leave this feedback.
I used smoked Hungarian paprika and it was really tasty. Thank you
Smoked Hungarian Paprika sounds wonderful. I bet the flavor was wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing. Happy to know you had success with this recipe.
Love love love this recipe. So easy and delcious. My family loved it.
Thank you Atebue, So happy to hear you had success with this recipe. Sounds delicious! Thank you for coming back to write this feedback, appreciate it very much. Always a great feeling to read such success and positive comments. Thank you.