One Pan, So Many Possibilities: Easy Sheet Pan Dinners

You know what I love after a long day? A meal that’s delicious, balanced, and doesn’t leave me with a mountain of dishes. Enter: the sheet pan dinner — the unsung hero of weeknight cooking.

It’s one pan. Endless options. And yes, way less cleanup.

Here’s one of my go-to combos:

Sheet Pan Lemon Herb Chicken with Veggies

Sheet Pan Lemon Herb Chicken with Veggies

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in chicken thighs (or boneless if you prefer)

• 1 red onion, sliced

• 1 zucchini, chopped

• 1 bell pepper, sliced

• 1 cup baby potatoes, halved

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 lemon (zest + juice)

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp dried oregano or thyme

• Salt + pepper to taste

  
  

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).

2. Toss veggies and potatoes with half the oil, lemon zest, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper directly on the sheet pan.

3. Rub the chicken with the rest of the oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and herbs. Nestle it into the veggies.

4. Roast for 35–40 minutes, or until the chicken is golden and cooked through and the veggies are caramelized.

5. Optional: Finish with fresh parsley and an extra squeeze of lemon.

My Sheet Pan Success Tips:

1. Choose ingredients with similar cook times.Root veggies like carrots or potatoes take longer than soft veggies like zucchini or bell pepper — so either cut them smaller or give them a head start in the oven.

2. Use high heat.425°F is the sweet spot for crispy edges and golden caramelization. Lower temps tend to steam your ingredients instead of roasting them.

3. Don’t overcrowd the pan.If things are too packed, they’ll steam instead of roast. Give everything a bit of breathing room for that perfect golden-brown finish.

4. Layer flavors.A simple spice rub, a citrus finish, or a drizzle of balsamic glaze at the end can take things from “meh” to “wow.”

Sheet pan dinners are one of my favorite ways to teach people how to cook smart, not hard. You get protein, veggies, and tons of flavor — all in one go. Perfect for solo nights, family meals, or even meal prep.

Ready to make dinner easier (and tastier)?

Come hang out with me and get more easy ideas that actually fit your life:

👉 https://www.tastery.co

Less stress. More flavor. That’s how we do it around here.

Stay golden,

Chef Starr 

One pan. Infinite flavor.