This Easy Chicken Dinner Recipe is something I make when I want a satisfying, home-cooked meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner, but it’s also delicious enough to serve to guests.
This recipe is all about simple ingredients and easy techniques that come together to create something truly special.
Recipe Overview: Easy Chicken Dinner
This dish features juicy, tender chicken breasts cooked with flavorful vegetables. It’s a one-pan meal, which means less cleanup – always a win in my book!
The chicken gets a beautiful golden-brown crust, and the vegetables become tender and slightly caramelized.
You can serve this with a side of rice, quinoa, or even a simple salad. It’s incredibly versatile.
It is also perfect as a main course for a healthy lunch.
I find it’s the kind of meal that everyone enjoys, from picky eaters to seasoned foodies.
Detailed Ingredients for Easy Chicken Dinner Recipe
Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:
- Chicken Breasts: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6-8 ounces each). You can also use chicken thighs, but you might need to adjust the cooking time slightly.
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons. I prefer extra virgin olive oil for its flavor.
- Salt: 1 teaspoon. I use kosher salt, but regular table salt works too.
- Black Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon, freshly ground is best.
- Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon. This adds a nice savory flavor.
- Onion Powder: 1/2 teaspoon.
- Paprika: 1/2 teaspoon. You can use sweet or smoked paprika, depending on your preference.
- Dried Oregano: 1/2 teaspoon. You could also use Italian seasoning.
- Carrots: 1 cup, peeled and chopped.
- Potatoes: 1 cup, peeled and diced. I like to use Yukon Gold potatoes because they get nice and creamy.
- Broccoli Florets: 1 cup. You can use fresh or frozen.
If you don’t have one of these on hand, there are other options. For instance, you can swap the broccoli for green beans, or the carrots for sweet potatoes. Don’t be afraid to experiment!
Step-by-Step Instructions: Making Your Easy Chicken Dinner
- Preheat and Prep: First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). While the oven is heating up, get your ingredients ready. This is called mise en place by chefs, meaning “everything in its place”. It makes the cooking process much smoother.
- Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, mix together the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and oregano. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels – this helps the seasoning stick and promotes browning. Then, sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts.
- Prepare the Vegetables: In a large bowl, toss the chopped carrots, diced potatoes, and broccoli florets with the olive oil. Make sure the vegetables are evenly coated. This will help them roast beautifully.
- Combine and Arrange: Place the seasoned chicken breasts in a large baking dish or on a baking sheet. Arrange the vegetables around the chicken in a single layer. Try not to overcrowd the pan, as this will cause the vegetables to steam rather than roast.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. You can check if the chicken is done by using a meat thermometer – it should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The vegetables should be easily pierced with a fork.
- Rest and Serve: Once everything is cooked, remove the baking dish from the oven. Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful chicken.
Variations & Tips for the Best Easy Chicken Dinner
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the seasoning mixture for a little heat.
- Add More Veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables you enjoy, such as bell peppers, zucchini, or onions.
- Make-Ahead: You can prep the chicken and vegetables ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to cook, simply arrange everything in the baking dish and bake.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat leftovers in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
- Serving suggestion: Serve hot with rice.
Key Details
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 25-30 minutes
- Total time: 40-45 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Equipment you’ll need: Large baking dish or baking sheet, small bowl, large bowl, measuring cups and spoons.
Easy Chicken Dinner Recipe
This Easy Chicken Dinner Recipe is a satisfying, home-cooked one-pan meal perfect for a weeknight dinner or serving to guests. It features juicy, tender chicken breasts cooked with flavorful vegetables, requiring simple ingredients and easy techniques.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 6-8 ounces each)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 cup carrots peeled and chopped
- 1 cup potatoes peeled and diced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a small bowl, mix together the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and oregano.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over both sides.
- In a large bowl, toss the chopped carrots, diced potatoes, and broccoli florets with the olive oil.
- Place the seasoned chicken breasts in a large baking dish or on a baking sheet. Arrange the vegetables around the chicken in a single layer.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
