Description
A flavorful Middle Eastern-inspired one-pan chicken tray bake featuring tender, juicy chicken thighs braised with aromatic warm spices and roasted vegetables. This easy and impressive dinner combines cumin, coriander, paprika, and cinnamon with garlic, cherry tomatoes, and red onion, finished with a bright splash of lemon juice.
Ingredients
Chicken and Vegetables
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 large red onion, cut into wedges
- 4 garlic cloves, peeled
- 200g cherry tomatoes
Spices and Seasoning
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp ground paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Others
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 100ml chicken stock
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F) to prepare for baking the chicken and vegetables evenly.
- Arrange Ingredients: Place the chicken thighs, red onion wedges, whole garlic cloves, and cherry tomatoes evenly in a large baking tray, ensuring the chicken skin faces up for crispiness.
- Season: Sprinkle the ground cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and pepper evenly over all the ingredients in the tray. This layers the dish with warm, aromatic Middle Eastern flavors.
- Add Oil and Stock: Drizzle the olive oil over the ingredients, then carefully pour the chicken stock around the chicken pieces to help with braising during cooking.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the tray tightly with aluminum foil to trap steam and braise the chicken for 35 minutes, ensuring it stays tender and juicy.
- Uncover and Roast: Remove the foil and continue baking the tray uncovered for an additional 20 to 25 minutes, allowing the chicken to brown and the skins to crisp up.
- Finish with Lemon Juice: Once golden and cooked through, remove the tray from the oven and drizzle fresh lemon juice over the chicken and vegetables to brighten the flavors before serving.
Notes
- Serve this tray bake with couscous, fluffy rice, or warm flatbread to soak up the delicious juices.
- For variation, add olives or chickpeas to the tray before baking for extra texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
