Spicy Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner with Vegetables

This Spicy Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner is an easy, flavorful meal made with tender chicken tenderloins, roasted potatoes, carrots, broccoli, and red onion. It is the kind of simple weeknight dinner that feels hearty and satisfying without requiring a long list of steps or a sink full of dishes. Everything cooks together on one large sheet pan, so the oven does most of the work while the seasonings bring the chicken and vegetables together with a warm, smoky, lightly spicy flavor.

This recipe is designed to be simple, family-friendly, and easy to adjust. If you prefer a milder chicken sheet pan dinner, leave out the cayenne pepper and keep the rest of the seasoning blend the same.

You will need:

1 lb. chicken tenderloins

4 TB olive oil

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

¼ tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp salt

¼ tsp black pepper

½ of a red onion, cut into large chunks

4 carrots, peeled, cut into chunks and halved

12 baby red or gold potatoes, halved or quartered depending on size

1 head fresh broccoli, cut into bite-size florets

Large cookie sheet

Directions for Spicy Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

In a small dish, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir the spices together until evenly mixed. This simple seasoning blend gives the chicken and vegetables a savory flavor with a little heat from the cayenne and a smoky note from the paprika.

Place the red onion, carrots, potatoes, and broccoli in a large bowl. Drizzle the vegetables with 2 TB of olive oil and toss until they are lightly coated. Sprinkle half of the seasoning mixture over the vegetables, then stir again so the spices are distributed as evenly as possible.

Spread the seasoned vegetables onto a large cookie sheet in a single layer. If you want easier cleanup, line the pan with parchment paper or foil before adding the vegetables. Try not to crowd the pan too much, because a little space helps the vegetables roast instead of steam.

Coat the chicken tenderloins with the remaining 2 TB of olive oil and the rest of the seasoning blend. Place the seasoned chicken on the cookie sheet with the vegetables. Arrange the chicken so the pieces are not stacked on top of one another, allowing them to cook evenly.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on the size of the potatoes, carrots, and chicken tenderloins, so check that the chicken is fully cooked before serving.

This easy chicken sheet pan dinner is a great option when you want a complete meal with minimal prep. The potatoes make it filling, the broccoli and carrots add color and texture, and the seasoned chicken tenderloins cook up tender and delicious. It works well for busy weeknights, casual family dinners, or any time you want a balanced meal without using multiple pots and pans.

You can also customize the vegetables based on what you enjoy or what you already have on hand. Sweet potatoes may be used instead of baby red or gold potatoes. Cauliflower can be used in place of broccoli, and zucchini chunks can be swapped for carrots. Red and green bell peppers are also a tasty choice, and whole mushrooms make another easy substitution. If you use softer vegetables, keep in mind that they may cook faster than potatoes and carrots.

For a less spicy version, simply omit the cayenne pepper. The garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper still create a well-seasoned dinner with plenty of flavor. If you enjoy a little heat, keep the cayenne as written for a mild spicy kick that pairs nicely with the roasted vegetables.

For another easy and comforting meal idea, try a simple no-peek beef tips dinner.

Yield: 4 servings

Easy Spicy Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

A simple sheet pan dinner made with seasoned chicken tenderloins and roasted vegetables. It is flavorful, easy to prepare, and perfect for a weeknight meal.

Prep Time
10 minutes

Cook Time
30 minutes

Total Time
40 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb. chicken tenderloins
• 4 TB olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ of a red onion, cut into large chunks
• 4 carrots, peeled, cut into chunks and halved
• 12 baby red or gold potatoes, halved or quartered depending on size
• 1 head fresh broccoli, cut into bite-size florets

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Mix the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper in a small dish.
3. Place the vegetables in a large bowl and coat them with 2 TB of olive oil.
4. Sprinkle half of the seasoning mixture over the vegetables and stir until coated.
5. Spread the vegetables on a large cookie sheet. Line the pan with parchment paper or foil first if you want easier cleanup. Coat the chicken tenderloins with the remaining olive oil and seasoning, then place them on the sheet pan with the vegetables.
6. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.