If you ever wished for a dinner that is vibrant, full of flavor, and happily fuss-free, Sheet Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies is about to be your new weeknight hero. This juicy marinated chicken nestled among roasted vegetables is unbelievably satisfying and comes together all on a single pan—making both prep and cleanup an absolute breeze!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-Pan Magic: Sheet Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies means less mess and hardly any dishes to wash after dinner—just what busy nights call for!
- Big, Balanced Flavor: Tangy balsamic, sweet honey, aromatic garlic, and bold Italian herbs come together to create something truly crave-worthy, while the veggies add freshness and color.
- Family-Friendly Customization: You can easily swap in everyone’s favorite vegetables or make it vegetarian—there’s room for creativity in every batch.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: The leftovers taste fantastic and are easy to pack for lunch the next day, reheated or even enjoyed cold.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Just a handful of essential ingredients is all it takes to deliver the bold flavors, juicy texture, and gorgeous colors that make Sheet Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies so satisfying. Each addition—whether it’s the tangy vinegar or the crunchy chickpeas—brings its own character to the party.
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: Tender and juicy, these soak up the balsamic marinade like a dream. Use thighs for maximum flavor and forgiveness, but breasts work too!
- Balsamic vinegar: The superstar ingredient that creates that sweet-tangy glaze and caramelizes deliciously in the oven.
- Olive oil or avocado oil: Either oil works to keep everything lush and helps the marinade cling beautifully to the chicken and veggies.
- Honey or maple syrup (optional): A hint of natural sweetness balances the balsamic’s sharpness and gives the chicken a glossy finish.
- Fresh garlic: A couple cloves bring aromatic punch to the marinade and liven up the whole pan.
- Italian seasoning: A mix of dried herbs (think oregano, basil, rosemary) for classic Mediterranean flavor.
- Kosher salt and black pepper: The classic duo—you control the seasoning, so taste and adjust as you go!
- Chickpeas: Protein-packed and nutty, these crisp up slightly in the oven and add delightful texture.
- Broccoli florets: Separate large florets so they roast uniformly and soak up all that pan flavor.
- Cherry or grape tomatoes: They blister and burst to add juicy pops of sweetness.
- Optional toppings: Fresh basil & balsamic glaze: Basil adds brightness and balsamic glaze gives a final hit of tangy-sweet magic.
Variations
The beauty of Sheet Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies is how endlessly adaptable it is. Mix and match ingredients to suit your mood, what’s in your fridge, or any dietary preferences—it’s practically impossible to mess up!
- Vegetarian Swap: Skip the chicken and double the chickpeas for a protein-packed plant-based version. Try adding cubes of marinated tofu, too!
- Change Up the Veggies: Use bell peppers, red onion, zucchini, carrots, or asparagus—pretty much any sturdy veggie that roasts well.
- Make It Spicy: Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or a sliced jalapeño for a bit of gentle heat in the marinade.
- Low Carb: Omit the chickpeas and add extra green veggies like cauliflower or Brussels sprouts.
How to Make Sheet Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Preheat your oven to 400ºF. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add in the chicken thighs and toss until everything is evenly coated. Let the chicken marinate at room temperature for at least 15 minutes while you prep the vegetables—this quick soak gives the meat a wonderfully deep flavor.
Step 2: Prep and Season the Veggies
Add the drained chickpeas, bite-sized broccoli florets, and cherry tomatoes to your sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with kosher salt and black pepper, and use your hands or a spatula to toss everything together right on the pan, ensuring the veggies are evenly coated and well spaced for even roasting.
Step 3: Arrange and Roast
Nestle the marinated chicken thighs among the veggies right on the pan, pouring any leftover marinade over the top. Slide your pan into the hot oven and roast for about 20 minutes. If you like the tops a bit caramelized, flick the broiler on for 2–3 minutes at the end—keep an eye so nothing burns!
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
Once everything is golden and the chicken is cooked through, pull out your pan and drizzle generously with balsamic glaze. Shower with chiffonaded basil for a punch of freshness, and serve your Sheet Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies hot and happy straight from the pan!
Pro Tips for Making Sheet Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies
- Marinade Magic: For maximum flavor, let your chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes—or if you have time, a few hours in the fridge makes the flavor even bolder.
- Veggie Placement: Avoid overcrowding the pan—spread those veggies out so they roast instead of steaming, which keeps everything crisp rather than soggy.
- Broil to Finish: A quick broil at the end caramelizes the balsamic marinade beautifully and makes the chicken practically irresistible.
- Batch Cooking: Doubling the recipe? Use two sheet pans to prevent over-crowding, and rotate the pans halfway through roasting for even color.
How to Serve Sheet Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh basil ribbons brightens everything, while a zigzag drizzle of balsamic glaze adds a sweet-tangy, glossy finish. For extra savory oomph, you could toss on some grated Parmesan or even a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
Side Dishes
This dish is wonderful as a complete meal, but it’s also perfect with a crusty loaf of bread to soak up the juices, a light lemony couscous, or a simple side salad. For a heartier spread, serve Sheet Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies over fluffy quinoa, rice, or even creamy polenta.
Creative Ways to Present
If you really want to wow, plate the chicken and veggies family-style right on a board or a colorful serving platter, garnished with extra basil and tomatoes. Or, try tucking everything into warm pita or flatbread with a swipe of hummus for a Mediterranean-inspired wrap!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Sheet Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Store chicken and veggies separately if possible to preserve texture, but it’s perfectly fine to keep them together for easy grab-and-go lunches.
Freezing
If you want to freeze leftovers, let everything cool completely and place in a tightly sealed freezer container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge—just be aware that tomatoes may lose a bit of texture after freezing but the flavors will still shine!
Reheating
To reheat, place the chicken and veggies on a sheet pan in a 375ºF oven just until warmed through (about 10 minutes) to help restore the best texture. A quick zap in the microwave also works for weekday lunches—just add a fresh splash of balsamic glaze to brighten things up.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts work well in Sheet Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies—just cut them into even, palm-sized pieces to ensure they cook at the same rate as the veggies, and take care not to overcook or they can dry out.
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Can I make Sheet Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies vegetarian or vegan?
You sure can—leave out the chicken, double the chickpeas, and toss in extra veggies or cubes of marinated tofu. Use maple syrup instead of honey in the marinade to keep it vegan-friendly.
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How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?
The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF and the juices run clear. Look for nicely caramelized tops and no pink in the thickest part—simple and safe!
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Can I make this ahead for meal prep?
Definitely! Sheet Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies is meal-prep bliss—it keeps its flavor and texture for several days and tastes delicious cold or reheated. Pack in individual containers with grains or greens for easy lunches all week.
Final Thoughts
There’s something incredibly comforting (and a little bit magical) about how easy, vibrant, and flavorful Sheet Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies is every time you make it. Don’t be surprised if it quickly earns a spot on your regular dinner rotation—go ahead and give it a try, and let your kitchen fill up with those amazing aromas tonight!
PrintSheet Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings
- Category: Baking
- Method: Oven
Description
Sheet Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies is a delicious and easy-to-make one-pan meal that combines tender balsamic-marinated chicken thighs with roasted chickpeas, broccoli, and tomatoes. A perfect balance of flavors and nutrients!
Ingredients
Balsamic Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Sheet Pan Veggies:
- 1 can chickpeas, drained & rinsed (15 oz)
- 12 oz broccoli florets (cut large ones down into smaller florets)
- 8 oz cherry or grape tomatoes
- 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
- Kosher salt & black pepper to taste
Optional Toppings:
- 10 large basil leaves, chiffonaded
- Balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Prepare Balsamic Chicken: Preheat oven to 400F. In a bowl, whisk balsamic vinegar, oil, honey, garlic, and seasonings. Add chicken thighs, coat, and marinate.
- Prepare Sheet Pan Veggies: On a baking sheet, combine chickpeas, broccoli, and tomatoes. Drizzle with oil, season, toss, and spread out.
- Cook: Nestle marinated chicken on the sheet. Pour remaining marinade over. Bake for 20 minutes, broil for 2-3 minutes if desired.
- Serve: Drizzle with balsamic glaze, sprinkle basil, and enjoy!
Notes
- Nutrition info does not include balsamic glaze.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Approximately 380 kcal
- Sugar: Approximately 6g
- Sodium: Approximately 800mg
- Fat: Approximately 18g
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: Approximately 14.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 25g
- Fiber: Approximately 7g
- Protein: Approximately 30g
- Cholesterol: Approximately 120mg