There’s just something about cozy, roasted veggies paired with tender chicken and a touch of sweet and tangy glaze that feels like autumn on a plate. This Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken with Maple-Dijon Sauce Recipe brings all those flavors together effortlessly—and you’ll love how little time it takes to pull it off.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken with Maple-Dijon Sauce Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken with Maple-Dijon Sauce Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken with Maple-Dijon Sauce Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’m always on the lookout for dinner ideas that feel special but don’t demand hours in the kitchen. This harvest sheet pan chicken hits that sweet spot perfectly. The warming spices, the caramelized veggies, and the luscious maple-Dijon sauce combine for a dish that’s simple yet seriously satisfying.
- One-Pan Convenience: No need to juggle multiple pots and pans—everything cooks together for minimal cleanup.
- Balanced Flavors: Sweet, spicy, savory, and a hint of tang make every bite exciting and comforting.
- Seasonal Ingredients: Fresh carrots and Brussels sprouts bring harvest vibes and fantastic nutrition to your meal.
- Versatility: Easily adaptable for weeknights or entertaining guests with minimal fuss.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in the Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken with Maple-Dijon Sauce Recipe is thoughtfully chosen to build layers of warmth and balance. The spices coat the chicken perfectly, the veggies roast to sweet perfection, and the sauce ties everything together. Here’s what you need and why it works so well.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: These cook evenly and soak up the spice rub beautifully. Pat them dry for a better sear.
- Carrots: Cut on the diagonal to maximize surface area for caramelization and to keep them tender but firm.
- Brussels sprouts: Halved (or quartered if large) so they cook through quickly and develop crispy edges.
- Red onion: Adds a touch of sweetness and sharpness, balancing the savory elements.
- Avocado or olive oil: Helps everything roast up golden and prevents sticking.
- Brown sugar, cumin, cinnamon, and ginger: This warm spice blend smells incredible and gives the chicken that cozy harvest flavor.
- Mayonnaise and Dijon mustard: Create a creamy, tangy base for the sauce that complements the chicken’s spices.
- Pure maple syrup: Adds natural sweetness and depth to the sauce—trust me, it’s magic.
- Coconut aminos (or soy sauce): Bring umami and a hint of saltiness without overpowering the mustard and maple.
- Dried oregano and onion powder: Tuck in extra savory notes to make the sauce sing.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning, bringing out all the flavors.
Make It Your Way
I often tweak this recipe depending on what’s in my fridge or the season—for example, swapping veggies or boosting spice levels. Don’t hesitate to personalize the spice rub or the sauce to suit your taste. It’s surprisingly flexible!
- Vegetable Swap: I love using sweet potatoes instead of carrots for more autumn sweetness, or swapping Brussels sprouts for green beans for a lighter crunch.
- Spice It Up: Adding a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika adds a lovely smoky heat that I’ve come to really enjoy.
- Dressing Variations: Try swapping the mayo for Greek yogurt for a lighter sauce or adding fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken with Maple-Dijon Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Heat the Pan & Prep Veggies
Start by sliding a rimmed baking sheet into the oven and preheating to 450°F. The hot pan helps everything cook evenly, which is one of those little kitchen tricks I swear by! While the oven warms up, toss the carrots and Brussels sprouts in a bowl with a tablespoon of oil, salt, and pepper—simple but essential for that perfect roast.
Step 2: Roast the Veggies First
Carefully take the hot pan out (don’t forget your oven mitt!). Hit it with some nonstick spray, then spread the carrots and Brussels sprouts in an even layer. Pop them back in the oven for about 15 minutes. This kickstarts the roasting, so the veggies get a head start on caramelizing without the chicken overcrowding the pan.
Step 3: Prep and Season the Chicken
While the veggies roast, mix your spice rub using brown sugar, cumin, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and pepper. Rub this fragrant mixture all over the chicken breasts along with a teaspoon of oil. This combo builds a flavorful, slightly sweet crust that’s just magical once it’s roasted.
Step 4: Add Chicken and Onion, Then Roast Until Done
After that first 15 minutes, carefully stir the veggies and create space on the pan for the chicken and red onions. Nestle everything down so each piece has a bit of breathing room. Roast for another 10-15 minutes until the chicken reaches 165°F—using an instant-read thermometer here is a game-changer for juicy results every time.
Step 5: Whip Up the Maple-Dijon Sauce
While the chicken roasts, stir together the mayo, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, coconut aminos, oregano, onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. I always taste to adjust the seasoning here—it’s where the magic happens! The sauce is creamy, slightly sweet, and packs the perfect tang to complement the roasted flavors.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Plate the chicken and veggies, drizzle or serve the Maple-Dijon sauce on the side, and dig in. Leftover sauce stores well and makes a fantastic dip for lunch the next day.
Top Tip
From my experience, the key to molding this into a flawless weeknight meal is to respect the hot sheet pan trick and use that instant-read thermometer. These two small steps guarantee juicy chicken and crisply caramelized vegetables every time.
- Preheat the Baking Sheet: Throw the pan in the oven before adding ingredients; it jumpstarts that beautiful caramelization.
- Use an Instant-Read Thermometer: Checking the internal temp around 10 minutes keeps you from over- or under-cooking the chicken.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Give the ingredients breathing space for even cooking and crisp edges.
- Pat the Chicken Dry: This extra step helps the rub stick better and ensures a nice crust forms.
How to Serve Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken with Maple-Dijon Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
I usually sprinkle some chopped fresh parsley or thyme on top—it adds a lovely herbal brightness that cuts through the richness and makes everything look pretty on the plate. A tiny drizzle of extra maple syrup over the veggies is something I indulge in, especially when serving guests.
Side Dishes
This dish stands well on its own, but if you want to dress it up, a simple green salad or some warm crusty bread is all you need. Sometimes I serve it alongside a quinoa pilaf or creamy mashed potatoes for a heartier meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For dinner parties, I like to arrange the chicken and veggies on a large rustic wooden board and serve the sauce in small bowls for dipping. It invites conversation and keeps things casual yet elegant. Add seasonal flower garnishes or small bunches of herbs for a little extra charm.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I pack leftovers in airtight containers and keep the sauce separate from the chicken and veggies. This helps everything maintain its texture for up to 4 days in the fridge.
Freezing
You can freeze the roasted chicken and veggies, but I recommend freezing them without the sauce. When thawed, the sauce can be mixed fresh or stored separately and added after reheating for the best flavor.
Reheating
I reheat leftovers in a 350°F oven on a baking sheet for about 10-15 minutes to keep the veggies crisp and chicken juicy. Microwaving works in a pinch, but the oven’s your best friend to revive the original textures.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can absolutely swap bone-in chicken thighs or breasts, but just keep in mind that cooking times will be longer and might vary. Using an instant-read thermometer will help you get the perfect doneness regardless of cut.
You can substitute low-sodium soy sauce or tamari to keep the savory umami flavor. Just use a little less soy sauce as it tends to be saltier than coconut aminos. Adjust the salt in the sauce accordingly.
Yes! This recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free soy sauce or coconut aminos in the sauce. Just double-check the labels on your spices and condiments to be safe.
The best way is to use an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken breast. It should read 165°F. This ensures it’s juicy but safe to eat without drying out.
Final Thoughts
This Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken with Maple-Dijon Sauce Recipe has become one of my go-to meals when I need something that hits all the right notes without fuss. It’s cozy and nourishing, a hug on a plate that’s always a crowd-pleaser. Give it a try—you might find your own little twist to make it truly yours!
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Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken with Maple-Dijon Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
This Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken recipe combines juicy, seasoned chicken breasts with roasted carrots, Brussels sprouts, and red onion, all cooked together on one pan for an easy and delicious meal. Served with a flavorful Maple-Dijon Dressing, this dish is perfect for weeknights, meal prep, or serving guests during the harvest season.
Ingredients
Chicken and Vegetables
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or cutlets (1 to 1½ lbs), patted dry
- 12 oz carrots (3-4 large), cut on the diagonal into 2-inch pieces
- ½ lb Brussels sprouts, cut in half (large ones cut into quarters), about 2 to 2½ cups
- ½ medium red onion, sliced (1 cup)
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon avocado oil or olive oil, divided
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon fine salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Nonstick cooking spray
Maple-Dijon Dressing
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Dijon or spicy brown mustard
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons coconut aminos (or 1 teaspoon low-sodium soy sauce)
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- Pinch of fine salt
- Pinch of black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare sheet pan: Place a large rimmed baking sheet in the oven and preheat to 450℉ with the pan inside. Preheating the baking sheet helps the ingredients cook evenly.
- Season vegetables: While the oven preheats, place the carrots and Brussels sprouts in a medium bowl. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Set aside.
- Roast vegetables: Using an oven mitt, carefully remove the hot sheet pan from the oven. Spray with cooking spray. Spread the carrots and Brussels sprouts evenly on the baking sheet. Return to the oven and roast for 15 minutes.
- Make the spice rub: In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, cumin, cinnamon, ginger, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
- Prepare chicken: Rub the chicken breasts with the remaining 1 teaspoon of oil, then evenly sprinkle the seasoning rub over all sides.
- Add chicken and onion to pan: After the vegetables have roasted for 15 minutes, remove the sheet pan. Stir the vegetables and create spaces for the chicken and red onion slices. Nestle the seasoned chicken breasts among the vegetables and add the red onion to the pan.
- Roast everything together: Return the sheet pan to the oven and bake until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165℉, about 10 to 15 minutes more. Check temperature at 10 minutes and continue cooking if needed.
- Prepare the Maple-Dijon Dressing: While the chicken cooks, combine mayonnaise, mustard, maple syrup, coconut aminos, oregano, and onion powder in a small bowl. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired.
- Serve: Serve the Maple-Dijon Dressing alongside the roasted chicken and vegetables. Store any leftover dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Preheating the sheet pan ensures even cooking and helps vegetables get a nice roast.
- You can use olive oil instead of avocado oil if preferred.
- Use an instant read thermometer to guarantee the chicken is cooked safely without drying out.
- Leftover dressing keeps well and adds extra flavor when reheating the dish.
- This recipe works great for meal prep and can be easily doubled for larger gatherings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ of the recipe with sauce
- Calories: 316 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 675 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 74 mg
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