Sheet pan chicken is all the rage these days. I resisted the idea for a long time, figuring it was just another culinary fad that would fade.
But then I realized that one of my favorite chicken dishes ever is a sheet pan chicken recipe by Ottolenghi. Chicken with Fennel and Clementines. He doesn’t call it a “sheet pan chicken,” so I didn’t resist. That is when I realized that my stubbornness was getting in the way of a lot of good food.
When I was recuperating from my foot surgery, friends brought an amazing sheet pan chicken to dinner one night. It was so good, we could hardly stop eating it. Since then, I have been seeking out sheet pan chicken recipes, and The NY Times has been a great source.
Admittedly, I have now saved many sheet pan chicken (and other meats or veggie) recipes in my “to make someday” file. Today’s recipe, when I saw it, is one that I knew was going to be a winner. Markipedia wasn’t so sure but went along for the ride, and ended up loving it.
Man, this is some good sheet! Now this recipe is on our lists of favorites. I guess it pays to keep your mind open.
~ David
Adapted from The New York Times.
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Ron
November 14, 2020 at 7:29 amDavid, That’s some tasty looking sheet pan chicken you got there. We big chicken eaters and have made many variations, but not with roasted red grapes. I love roasted grapes with savory dishes, so this is a must-try recipe. No sheet, I’ll be cooking this one up very soon. Thanks for sharing…
Cocoa & Lavender
November 14, 2020 at 9:29 amIt is funny, Ron, but it was the grapes that had Mark concerned… yet he loved it. Grapes and shallots together is pretty amazing.
Frank Fariello
November 14, 2020 at 7:45 amSounds nice, David. And really easy to make! I see that you and I share an aversion to food fads. But I’ve also embraced sheet pan cookery. From time to time. It does save you time and does a great job caramelizing meat and veg and whatever else you want. And it’s not too far off some traditional dishes like oven roasted chicken and potatoes that my grandmother used to make. So what’s old is new again?
Cocoa & Lavender
November 14, 2020 at 9:30 amYes, what is old is new again. I think what is really new is the combination of things people are putting together. It is fun what international aspects we can bring to our sheet pans!
Chef Mimi
November 14, 2020 at 8:11 amI’m laughing out loud! Firstly, That’s Good Sheet is the best title I’ve ever come across! Secondly, my post on sheet pans/tray bakes pretty much starts out the same way. It’s the same reason I don’t “do” bowls, have an instapot, or make cauliflower rice. Okay, I finally did make a good cauliflower rice recipe, but just one. Anyway, this looks very good, and unique. Mine was chicken with chick peas and tomatoes, and like another commenter said above, I was adding things at different times, so it’s really not a one step procedure. And it might as well all be in a pot. So there.
Cocoa & Lavender
November 14, 2020 at 9:34 amThanks, Mimi – I figured it was a good time for a little irreverence! I must have read you post – and maybe it subconsciously inspired mine. I just get so tired of fads in the kitchen. This is funny… I don’t even know what “bowls” are! Maybe I should leave well enough alone and not look. And I don’t have an instapot (and need to borrow a slow cooker if I need one)… Cauliflower rice? Me, neither. Maybe it could be used to make cauliflower soup … but at what cost? Most of the sheet pan things I do can all go in at once. I added the grapes at a later time than the NY Times because the fist batch took them to a state beyond “crispy raisins.” And how can I not love any comment that ends in “so there.” 🙂
John / Kitchen Riffs
November 14, 2020 at 8:51 amThat really is good sheet. (You know, all of us who comment are going to have fun with that!). I pretty much resist the whole sheet pan dinner movement too, even though some of the meals I’ve made for ages actually fit into that category. Heck, we roast veggies all the time, and it’s pretty easy to slap some seasoned protein on the pan and be done with dinner prep. Well, it takes a bit more care and effort than just slapping it on the pan, I guess, but not much. Anyway, this looks great. The chicken looks nice, but it’s really the shallots and grapes that I’m craving. Good stuff — thanks.
Cocoa & Lavender
November 14, 2020 at 9:36 amThat was my hope, John! Mark said I was taking a real risk with the title but I have a feeling it will just make people laugh – and then maybe they will read and make this! And, yes, thanks for reminding me about veggie roasts… and slapping down a piece of meat on top. Yep – it can be that easy and so good.
Gerlinde
November 14, 2020 at 9:58 amJust like John I roast veggies all the time but I never put a protein with it. I love the good sheet and have to make it this week for a friend who lost their beloved dog. Have a great week David.
Cocoa & Lavender
November 14, 2020 at 10:52 amSo sorry about your friend’s dog – truly a family member. You are kind to make and take them something.
sippitysup
November 14, 2020 at 12:11 pmI have to admit I’ve fallen for sheet pan dinners too. Though I usually don’t follow a recipe I just pile a bunch of like-minded foods onto a sheet pan. The wink link in my process is that they all have to cook for the same amount of time. I see this recipe is more refined (and probably the better for it) because things get added to the pan at different times. This is an ah-ha moment for me. GREG
David Scott Allen
November 14, 2020 at 4:53 pmWell, I was disappointed at how overdone the grapes got (in terms of garnish) so adding them 10 minutes in wasn’t all that hard, but made a difference. And I like the convenience of all this…
Michelle Conkin
November 14, 2020 at 5:02 pmI just bought a package of chicken thighs and didn’t know what to do with them – I think mine are boneless., so I’ll cut the roasting time just a tad. Looks so yummy.
David Scott Allen
November 16, 2020 at 8:22 amI would do exactly that, Michelle – I am sure it will be perfect!
Eha Carr
November 14, 2020 at 5:56 pmWell, I am totally puzzled. Born in Estonia in the Baltics way, way, way back I was brought up on sheet pan dinners and sheet pan cakes and whatever . . . you mean this is a fashionable retro- movement 🙂 🙂 🙂 ? Well, I always have and always will cook this practical and easy way !!! And I have made cauliflower rice for years never once thinking I was in any way ‘fashionable’ ! Poke bowls . . . well, have had them in the Islands naturally . . . have to laugh every time I see one posted . . . same, same as far as the food is concerned – easier in the bowl than a plate, I suppose: nought new!!! Your recipe is a delight . . . yes, have used grapes with fowl but your lovely recipe is a good reminder to put the dish on the menu . . . oh, was delighted for Ar turning blue . . .
Cocoa & Lavender
November 16, 2020 at 8:27 amIt has been around forever, but people have worked hard to make them fancier – that is the trend. And what bothers me about cauliflower “rice” is that trend not to eat starches. Just call it cauliflower, for Pete’s sake – no need to pretend it is rice! Ah… Poke bowls… didn’t think of them. But I think what Mimi is referring to is a trend to have a restaurant where you get a bowl and then just heap things into it… I would be over that, too. Basically, a fancy salad bar. Anyway, here’s to sheet pans and all they can do! (And, yes, sooo happy about our blueness!)
Vance Morgan and Anne Morgan
November 15, 2020 at 6:42 amDavid and Mark, we couldn’t believe you chose a recipe we have been doing for over two years. This is one of our favorite; in fact, we had it last night with chicken legs and cherry tomatoes. The high heat intensifies the flavor of the tomatoes as it does with the grapes.
Best to you both.
Cocoa & Lavender
November 16, 2020 at 8:27 amThanks, Anne and Vance – we will have to try it with tomatoes!
2pots2cook
November 15, 2020 at 9:54 amLove cooking with grapes. Keeping to do. Will let you know how it worked ! Thank you and be safe ! 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
November 16, 2020 at 8:28 amPlease do, Davorka – and, yes, we all need to stay smart and safe!
Jill Becker
November 15, 2020 at 10:03 amWill try this for sure. I make salmon with cherry tomatoes, chicken thighs with lemon, and lots of roasted veges. My David loves the taste but also the minimal cleanup which is his job.
Cocoa & Lavender
November 16, 2020 at 8:28 amI think he will really love this. I love the idea of salmon and cherry tomatoes.
Fran @ G'day Souffle'
November 15, 2020 at 1:03 pmYes, it seems that chicken and grapes do go together- that’s why the French have a dish called ‘Poulet Veronique.’ Tonight I’ll be making my easy Cajun Chicken- I’ll try adding a few grapes to the dish (my father used to call grapes ‘beps.’ I think I’ll call my dish ‘Chicken à la Beps.’ BTW, thanks so much for your comment on my Lemon Baba recipe- I’m so glad it turned out well!
Cocoa & Lavender
November 16, 2020 at 8:29 amThe babas were fantastic! Really!
Love Chicken à la Beps. 🙂 And I have only had Sole Véronique. Which I love. My favorite dish with grapes was a veal stew I had in Germany – ausgezeichnet, as they would say.
Rahul @samosastreet
November 15, 2020 at 3:32 pmLove roasted chicken recipe, they are so easy to make and ready in minutes. I never tried grapes and onion together. Something new for me to try.
Cocoa & Lavender
November 16, 2020 at 8:30 amMe, too, Rahul – easy, flavorful, and comforting. And the grapes and shallots are such a nice combo with the chicken.
Christina Conte
November 15, 2020 at 6:31 pmToo funny, love the title!! This does look delicious! I don’t have anything against sheet pan dinners, but I do have a BIG thing against dump dinners and cakes! UGH! I don’t think I’ll see one of those on your site, though (I hope!) haha!
Eha Carr
November 15, 2020 at 7:10 pmI have just checked back on David’s post and read a term totally foreign to me : ‘dump dinner’ ? We certainly do not use this term in Australia and I cannot think of any European translatable words either ! Always keen to learn . . . would someone explain please !! Why would any dish be termed in such unappetizing terms ?
Cocoa & Lavender
November 16, 2020 at 8:31 amNo, my dear, you won’t see those here for sure. I do understand for parents with kids that they might be practical, but there are practical recipes that are just as easy and don’t use the word “dump!”
Valentina
November 16, 2020 at 4:35 pmDavid, I love the sound of this recipe. It’s right up my alley! On a whim, I roasted red grapes the other night — just with a touch of olive oil, salt, pepper and rosemary. Delicious. I always have shallots around, and my my boys (well, 2 of the 3 in the house), love a good chicken dinner. The vegetarian will get extra grapes and shallots. 😉 ~Valentina
Cocoa & Lavender
November 22, 2020 at 3:17 pmValentina – I could easily eat the shallots and grapes on their own, and I have thought several times since making this that roasted grapes on vanilla ice cream would be lovely!
Kelly | Foodtasia
November 16, 2020 at 8:11 pmI got a kick out of your title, David! Za’atar chicken is a staple in our house. Serving it with roasted shallots and grapes takes it to a whole new level! I love the salty sweet combination. I’ll be trying your recipe the next time I make it – which will be any day now!
Cocoa & Lavender
November 22, 2020 at 3:18 pmThanks, Kelly – I hope you enjoy it. And I am glad you got a kick out of the title.
Raymund
November 17, 2020 at 2:13 pmLol! That sheet is amazing. In NZ we never had heard of that Sheet Pan Chicken, thanks to you, I do now know. Maybe I will start that fad here.
Cocoa & Lavender
November 22, 2020 at 3:20 pmI am glad I was able to bring something new to your table, Raymund – which is quite a feat, considering the amazing food you prepare and present!
Aarthi
November 19, 2020 at 8:05 pmI’m happy to see chicken post in the blog, like chicken over other meats. Your roasted chicken is absolutely delicious, and that grapes is great addition and interesting too . I’m sure that sweetness adds a great flavor with the chicken, would love to try , will bookmark this recipe, thanks for sharing it, David!
Cocoa & Lavender
November 22, 2020 at 3:21 pmThanks, Aarthi – I love chicken especially now that I can get it raised locally. So much better without the additives!
Jeff the Chef
November 20, 2020 at 6:28 amI’ve never had roasted grapes, or any sheet like that. I have to confess to having never heard of a sheet pan dinner before! Maybe I did hear of it, but misheard and figured it was a way of saying, “Don’t ever eat that.” Anyway, this is totally new to me, and I’m eager to try it.
Cocoa & Lavender
November 22, 2020 at 3:21 pmThanks for that laugh, Jeff! I am glad I am not the only one behind on all this sheet.
John
November 22, 2020 at 3:28 amOh, the good old sheet pan-slash-tray bake. What would the world be without its Pinterest/Instagram buzzwords and influencers?
That aside, throwing everything onto a baking tray and into the oven is seen in our household several times a week. I’ll be trying this recipe, for sure.
Cocoa & Lavender
November 22, 2020 at 3:22 pmAbsolutely, John – aside from all the buzzwords, it is really quite good!
Marcelle
December 9, 2020 at 10:03 amOoh David this looks so good! I love sheet pan dinners 🙂 I tried a recipe for roasted grapes a couple of years ago and I was on the fence about the end result. I’m willing to try it again though, your way! This was a great read and I don’t doubt that this meal is some good sheet! 😁
Cocoa & Lavender
December 19, 2020 at 9:47 amI think the grapes roasting with the chicken make all the difference, Marcelle!
Inger @ Art of Natural Living
December 9, 2020 at 9:24 pmGood looking recipe David. Jury’s still out on the pun 😉
Cocoa & Lavender
December 19, 2020 at 9:48 amBad puns are my specialty, Inger!
Michelle Conklin
December 13, 2020 at 11:09 amI made this last night for dinner. In spite of needing to do a little improvising since I didn’t have za’atar (I made a sort-of substitute) and going on a week-long snack frenzy with the grapes, which left me a little short, it turned out wonderful! Perfect comfort food, and so pretty on the plate.
Cocoa & Lavender
December 19, 2020 at 9:49 amI’m so glad you liked it, Michelle! And subbing other flavors for the za’atar I’d fun!
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