There's something about those cozy autumn flavors mingling that's just irresistible. This Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken with Maple-Dijon Recipe brings that perfect warmth with sweet, spicy, and savory notes all in one easy-to-love meal. It's a one-pan wonder that fills your kitchen with amazing aromas and your table with vibrant, comforting food.
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 Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken with Maple-Dijon Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken with Maple-Dijon Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I still remember the first time I made this Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken with Maple-Dijon Recipe — how effortless it was to toss everything on one pan and let the oven do its magic. The balance of spices with the maple-mustard sauce? Pure perfection every time, and yes, it impresses anyone I serve it to.
- Simple Cleanup: Thanks to the sheet pan method, you spend more time savoring your meal and less time scrubbing pans.
- Vibrant Veggies: Brussels sprouts and carrots roast beautifully alongside the chicken, absorbing all the flavors.
- Flavor Packed: That maple-Dijon dressing adds a sweet, tangy zing that turns everyday chicken into something special.
- Weeknight Friendly: It's easy to prep quickly, perfect for a nourishing meal after a busy day.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken with Maple-Dijon Recipe plays a special role in creating that balance of cozy autumn flavors with easy prep. Here's a quick rundown of why I love these ingredients and a few tips to get the best results.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: They cook evenly on the sheet pan and soak up the seasoning rub beautifully. Pat them dry to get a nice sear.
- Carrots: Cut on the diagonal to speed up roasting and showcase their natural sweetness.
- Brussels sprouts: Halved or quartered so they roast thoroughly and get those lovely crispy edges.
- Red onion: Adds a touch of sharpness and softens as it roasts, blending perfectly with the other veggies.
- Avocado or olive oil: Helps everything crisp up nicely and locks in flavors.
- Brown sugar: Gives a hint of sweetness that plays wonderfully with the tangy Dijon mustard.
- Ground cumin, cinnamon, and ginger: These spices layer warm, earthy, and slightly spicy notes, making the dish feel like fall on a plate.
- Mayonnaise & Dijon mustard: Form the creamy base of your Maple-Dijon dressing; choose your favorite mustard variety for desired heat.
- Pure maple syrup: A real game-changer—adds natural sweetness that complements the mustard’s tang.
- Coconut aminos or low-sodium soy sauce: For depth and umami without overpowering sweetness.
- Dried oregano and onion powder: Boost subtle herbs and savory notes in the dressing.
- Salt and pepper: Don't skip on seasoning it well — it makes everything pop!
Make It Your Way
One of the things I enjoy most about this Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken with Maple-Dijon Recipe is how flexible it is. Feel free to personalize it to your taste buds or pantry!
- Variation: I sometimes swap Brussels sprouts for roasted cauliflower or sweet potatoes for a twist — both work beautifully and keep that harvest vibe.
- Dietary tweak: Use a mayo made from olive oil or a vegan mayo, and swap chicken for plant-based “chicken” cutlets for a meatless version that still feels hearty.
- Heat it up: Add a pinch of cayenne or crushed red pepper flakes to the spice rub if you like a little kick.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken with Maple-Dijon Recipe
Step 1: Heat the Sheet Pan for Even Roasting
Start by placing a large rimmed baking sheet in your oven, then preheat the oven to 450℉. This little trick of preheating the sheet pan ensures your carrots and Brussels sprouts get that nice roasted edge instead of steaming. Just be careful when you remove the hot pan—always use an oven mitt!
Step 2: Prepare and Roast the Veggies
While the oven's heating, toss the carrots and Brussels sprouts in a bowl with a tablespoon of avocado or olive oil, plus a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Once the pan's hot, give it a quick spray with cooking spray and spread those veggies out in a single layer. Bake them for 15 minutes — this lets them start caramelizing and getting tender before adding the chicken.
Step 3: Mix the Spice Rub and Season the Chicken
While your veggies roast, combine brown sugar, ground cumin, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Rub the chicken breasts lightly with the remaining teaspoon of oil, then generously coat them with your spice blend. The blend is what makes this chicken sing, so don’t be shy here.
Step 4: Add Chicken and Onion, Then Finish Roasting
Pull out the sheet pan after 15 minutes and stir the veggies around a bit. Make space and nestle your spice-coated chicken breasts in, then add the sliced red onion. Pop everything back into the oven and bake about 10 to 15 more minutes until the chicken registers 165℉ on a meat thermometer — safe and juicy.
Step 5: Whip Up the Maple-Dijon Sauce
This part is magic — mix mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, pure maple syrup, coconut aminos (or soy sauce), oregano, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Give it a taste and tweak the seasoning to your liking. It’s creamy, tangy, and sweet all at once, perfect for dolloping over the chicken and veggies.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!
Plate your roast chicken and vegetables, then drizzle or serve the Maple-Dijon dressing on the side. The leftovers? I like to save the sauce separately to keep it fresh.
Top Tip
I’ve found that preheating the sheet pan is a game changer for roasting veggies evenly without sogginess. Plus, keeping an instant-read thermometer handy ensures your chicken is perfectly cooked every time — juicy and safe, not dry.
- Preheat the Pan: Puts your chicken and veggies on the fast track to beautiful caramelization.
- Pat Chicken Dry: Dry chicken skin or surfaces crisp up better and help the rub stick evenly.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: This little tool saves so much guesswork—aim for 165℉ for juicy, done chicken.
- Make the Sauce Ahead: The Maple-Dijon dressing tastes even better after a few hours in the fridge, so prep it early if you can.
How to Serve Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken with Maple-Dijon Recipe
Garnishes
I usually sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or thyme over the finished dish — it brightens everything up and adds just a hint of herbal freshness against the rich flavors. Sometimes I add a few toasted pecans for crunch and a nutty note that really compliments the maple syrup.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs beautifully with a simple wild rice pilaf or buttery mashed potatoes. For a lighter side, a crisp green salad with apple slices and vinaigrette adds a fresh counterpoint. I've also served it with crusty bread to soak up every bit of that delightful Maple-Dijon sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I sometimes serve this on a big wooden board surrounded by roasted veggies and small bowls of the sauce, letting everyone dig in family-style. It makes for a cozy, inviting meal perfect for fall gatherings, and guests love assembling their plates.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I recommend storing leftover chicken and veggies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Keep the Maple-Dijon sauce separate to preserve its freshness and creaminess.
Freezing
This dish freezes fairly well, especially if you freeze the chicken and veggies separately. When reheating, thaw overnight in the fridge first and avoid freezing the sauce—it’s better fresh due to the mayo base.
Reheating
To keep the chicken juicy, reheat leftovers gently in a 350℉ oven for about 10 minutes or until warmed through. Reheat veggies at the same time, then add the Maple-Dijon sauce fresh after warming to prevent it from breaking.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs will work beautifully and tend to stay even juicier during roasting. Just adjust the cooking time slightly as thighs might take a bit longer to cook through.
If you don’t have coconut aminos, low-sodium soy sauce is a great alternative that will still add umami depth to the maple-Dijon sauce. You can also use tamari for a gluten-free option.
Yes! You can prep the veggies and chicken the night before, store them separately in the fridge, and then assemble and roast them fresh when you’re ready to eat. Making the maple-Dijon sauce ahead is also a time saver and it tastes even better after sitting overnight.
The best way is to use an instant-read thermometer — the internal temperature should reach 165℉. This ensures the chicken is safe to eat while staying juicy and tender without overcooking. If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part and check that the juices run clear.
Final Thoughts
This Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken with Maple-Dijon Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen for busy nights when I want something comforting without fuss. It truly brings that harvest-season magic with minimal effort and maximum flavor. I can't wait for you to try it—you’ll find yourself coming back to this one time and time again, just like I do.
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Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken with Maple-Dijon 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
A flavorful and easy Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken dinner featuring tender chicken breasts roasted with carrots, Brussels sprouts, and red onion, all seasoned with a warm blend of spices and served with a delicious Maple-Dijon Dressing. Perfect for weeknights or meal prep, everything cooks together on one pan for ultimate convenience and vibrant seasonal taste.
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, about 2 – 2 ½ cups (large ones cut into quarters)
- ½ medium red onion, sliced (1 cup)
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon avocado oil or olive oil, divided
- Nonstick cooking spray
Seasoning Rub
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon fine salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
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 and black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare the Baking Sheet: Place a large rimmed baking sheet in the oven and preheat the oven to 450℉ with the pan inside. Preheating the baking sheet ensures even cooking of the ingredients.
- Toss 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 Initial Vegetables: Remove the hot baking sheet from the oven using an oven mitt and spray it with nonstick cooking spray. Spread the carrots and Brussels sprouts evenly on the baking sheet (do not add red onion yet). Return the pan to the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
- Make the Spice Rub: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, ground cumin, cinnamon, ground ginger, salt, and pepper to create the seasoning rub.
- Season Chicken: Rub the chicken breasts with the remaining 1 teaspoon of oil and sprinkle the seasoning rub all over them.
- Combine and Continue Roasting: After the vegetables have roasted for 15 minutes, remove the baking sheet. Stir the vegetables and create spaces for the chicken breasts and sliced red onion. Nestle the chicken and add the red onion to the pan. Return the sheet pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and registers 165℉ on an instant-read thermometer (check after 10 minutes to avoid overcooking).
- Prepare Maple-Dijon Dressing: While the chicken cooks, combine mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, coconut aminos, dried oregano, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Serve: Serve the roasted chicken and vegetables with the Maple-Dijon Dressing drizzled over or on the side. Store any leftover dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Preheating the baking sheet helps ingredients cook evenly and develop a nice caramelization.
- Use avocado oil or olive oil based on your preference for flavor and health benefits.
- The spice rub can be adjusted to taste; increase cinnamon or ginger for more warmth or add chili powder for heat.
- Make sure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165℉ for safe consumption.
- This recipe is perfect for meal prep as leftovers reheat well.
- Maple-Dijon Dressing adds a sweet and tangy flavor that complements the savory chicken and roasted vegetables.
- Use coconut aminos for a soy-free alternative or low-sodium soy sauce for a similar umami flavor.
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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