Chicken and Sweet Potato Traybake (Printer-friendly)

Juicy piri-piri chicken roasted with sweet potatoes and vibrant vegetables in one convenient pan.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
02 - 2 tablespoons piri-piri seasoning or paste
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Vegetables

07 - 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
08 - 1 large red onion, cut into thick wedges
09 - 1 red bell pepper, deseeded and cut into chunks
10 - 1 yellow bell pepper, deseeded and cut into chunks
11 - 2 cloves garlic, finely sliced
12 - 5 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved

→ Garnish

13 - Fresh coriander or parsley, chopped (optional)
14 - Lemon wedges, for serving

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F with the rack positioned in the center.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine chicken thighs with piri-piri seasoning, olive oil, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated.
03 - On a large baking tray, distribute sweet potatoes, red onion, and bell peppers in a single layer. Drizzle lightly with olive oil, scatter sliced garlic over the top, and toss until evenly combined.
04 - Position the seasoned chicken thighs among the vegetables, skin-side up, nestling them into the vegetables.
05 - Roast in the preheated oven for 30 minutes until the chicken begins to brown and vegetables soften.
06 - Distribute halved cherry tomatoes across the tray and return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes until chicken juices run clear and vegetables achieve golden tenderness.
07 - Remove from oven, garnish with fresh chopped coriander or parsley if desired, and serve with lemon wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks together on one tray, so you can actually sit down while dinner happens.
  • The piri-piri seasoning does all the flavor work without you having to think too hard.
  • You get three servings of vegetables per portion without it feeling like a chore to eat them.
  • Crispy chicken skin and caramelized sweet potatoes make it feel indulgent even though it's genuinely healthy.
02 -
  • If your sweet potato chunks are too big, they won't cook through by the time the chicken is done, keep them small and uniform.
  • Don't add the tomatoes at the start or they'll disintegrate into mush, the last 10 minutes is all they need to soften and burst.
  • Make sure your tray isn't overcrowded or everything will steam instead of roast, use two trays if you need to.
03 -
  • Pat the chicken skin dry with kitchen paper before seasoning so it crisps up properly in the oven.
  • Use a large, sturdy baking tray that won't warp under high heat, a flimsy one will cause uneven cooking.
  • Let the tray rest for five minutes after it comes out of the oven so the juices redistribute and everything stays moist.
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