Cozy Harvest Feast: One-Pan Autumn Chicken Dinner

One Pan Autumn Chicken Dinner

Introduction

Embrace the cozy flavors of fall with this One Pan Autumn Chicken Dinner, a savory feast that captures the essence of the season in every bite. Bursting with roasted chicken, hearty root vegetables, sweet apples, and fragrant herbs, this dish is as satisfying as it is simple. Best of all, everything cooks together on a single baking sheet, making cleanup a breeze—perfect for busy weeknights when you want a wholesome meal without the hassle.

Why You’ll Love This One Pan Chicken Dinner

This recipe shines thanks to its combination of perfectly seasoned chicken and an array of caramelized autumn vegetables, all enhanced by the subtle sweetness of roasted apples. The one-pan technique locks in flavor, creates a beautiful presentation, and delivers a well-balanced meal in under an hour. It’s a true crowd-pleaser that captures the colors and tastes of fall, and the leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day.

Effortless Autumn Meal in a Pan

By keeping everything on one sheet pan, flavors meld together and the juices from the chicken mingle with the veggies and apples, creating a natural sauce that adds incredible depth. Plus, with minimal hands-on time, you can let the oven work its magic while you check off your to-do list or simply unwind.

Customizing Your One Pan Autumn Chicken Dinner

This dish is wonderfully adaptable! Swap chicken thighs for breasts, use sweet potatoes in place of regular potatoes, or add other root vegetables such as parsnips or turnips. Fresh rosemary and thyme add robust seasonal flavor, but you can use dried herbs if that’s what you have on hand. A drizzle of maple syrup or a sprinkle of pecans before serving provides delightful finishing touches.

Serving Suggestions for a Complete Fall Meal

Serve your One Pan Autumn Chicken Dinner straight from the baking sheet for a rustic family-style presentation. Pair with a side of crusty bread or a green salad dressed with apple cider vinaigrette. For special occasions, garnish with extra fresh herbs or a scattering of dried cranberries for a festive touch.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields four hearty servings. Each portion is packed with lean protein, fiber-rich veggies, and the natural sweetness of apples—typically around 400–500 calories per serving, depending on vegetable choices and additions. It’s a nourishing, balanced meal that delivers both comfort and nutrition.

Ingredients

4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon dried rosemary (or 2 teaspoons fresh, chopped)
1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 2 teaspoons fresh, chopped)
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
1 red onion, cut into wedges
2 cups Brussels sprouts, halved
2 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp or Gala), cored and cut into wedges
2–3 cloves garlic, smashed
Optional: 1 tablespoon maple syrup, for drizzling
Optional: Chopped pecans or dried cranberries, for garnish

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list sorted by store section—a lifesaver for streamlined grocery trips and efficient weekly meal planning!

CookifyAI meal planning interface

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
  2. Pat chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and season generously with salt, pepper, rosemary, and thyme.
  3. In a large bowl, toss sweet potatoes, red onion, Brussels sprouts, and apple wedges with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus salt and pepper to taste. Scatter the vegetables and apples around the chicken on the pan. Nestle the smashed garlic cloves amongst them.
  4. Roast in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. If desired, drizzle chicken and vegetables with maple syrup, then continue baking for an additional 10–15 minutes or until chicken skin is golden and juices run clear, and the vegetables are tender and caramelized.
  5. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with optional chopped pecans or dried cranberries for extra flavor and crunch.
  6. Serve hot, straight from the pan, making sure each plate gets a mix of chicken, veggies, and apples.

Weekly Meal Planning

This One Pan Autumn Chicken Dinner is a meal planner’s best friend—it’s quick to prepare, requires just one baking sheet, and incorporates seasonal produce you’ll likely use in other fall recipes. Save and schedule this recipe in your weekly calendar for effortless planning and smart shopping list creation.

Planning Benefits:

  • Automatically calculates total ingredient amounts when planning multiple recipes
  • Organizes grocery lists by store section—no more backtracking in the aisles
  • Reduces food waste by consolidating overlapping ingredients across your week’s meals
  • Makes dinner planning and prep stress-free

Pro tip: Schedule your weekly recipes together in CookifyAI to see ingredient totals and overlap—saving time, money, and sanity!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40–45 minutes
Total Time: 55–60 minutes

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