Sheet-Pan Chicken With Jammy Tomatoes and Pancetta

Updated April 29, 2020

Sheet-Pan Chicken With Jammy Tomatoes and Pancetta
Julia Gartland for The New York Times. (Photography and Styling)
Total Time
45 minutes
Rating
5(4,576)
Comments
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In this relatively speedy sheet-pan dinner, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are seasoned with a savory, cumin-scented spice mix and roasted with whole garlic cloves and cherry tomatoes, which turn soft and sweet in the oven’s heat. If you have ripe summer cherry tomatoes, you can skip the brown sugar. If you’d rather use boneless chicken breasts, reduce the cooking time by about 5 to 7 minutes. This makes a light meal on its own, but you can add rice or crusty bread, and maybe a salad, if you need something more substantial.

Featured in: Roasted Chicken Makes Everything Better

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • ½teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
  • 9whole unpeeled garlic cloves
  • 2tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • tablespoons fresh lemon juice, plus more for serving
  • 1tablespoon sweet or smoked paprika
  • 1teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1teaspoon brown sugar (optional)
  • ¾teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1pint cherry tomatoes (preferably different colors), halved
  • 2ounces diced pancetta or bacon
  • ¼cup torn fresh dill, parsley or other herbs, for serving
  • Freshly ground black pepper
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

361 calories; 20 grams fat; 5 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 10 grams monounsaturated fat; 3 grams polyunsaturated fat; 9 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 3 grams sugars; 37 grams protein; 512 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat oven to 425 degrees. Season chicken all over with salt, and place on a rimmed baking sheet.

  2. Step 2

    Smash all the garlic cloves with the side of a knife and peel them. Finely grate one garlic clove and put it in a small bowl. Stir in the 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1½ tablespoons lemon juice, paprika, oregano, brown sugar (if using) and cumin. Pour over chicken, tossing to coat.

  3. Step 3

    Add tomatoes and remaining smashed, peeled garlic cloves to baking sheet, spreading them out around the chicken. Season tomatoes lightly with salt and drizzle with a little more olive oil. Scatter pancetta on top.

  4. Step 4

    Roast until chicken is golden and cooked through, about 30 to 35 minutes. After 15 minutes, stir the tomatoes and pancetta, but don’t disturb the chicken.

  5. Step 5

    Transfer chicken to plates. Stir the tomatoes and pancetta around in the pan, scraping up all the delicious browned bits from the bottom and sides, and stir in the herbs and black pepper to taste. Taste and add salt, if needed, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, if you like. Spoon tomatoes, garlic and pancetta over the chicken to serve.

Ratings

5 out of 5
4,576 user ratings
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Comments

If you have time to let the chicken marinate in the spices, lemon juice, and olive oil, even for an hour, it makes a big difference. I added cayenne to raise the heat and bit of arugula at the end to brighten it up a bit.

Great recipe for a solo eater (or many), and very simple to make and clean up. I made a bit more of the vinaigrette and added cauliflower to roast along with the tomatoes. Served over rice. Delicious. Remaining chicken will get chopped up and added to rice bowls for lunch during the week. Love these sheet pan meals, keep the recipes coming!

This is a winner with my family. Made some slight modifications due to pandemic pantry supplies. 1) Used smoked paprika instead of sweet. Fantastic. 2) Didn't have pancetta or bacon or garlic. Family doesn't like garlic and I have to say it was wonderful with the smoky flavor from the smoked paprika even without the bacon/pancetta. 3) Used 3x the amount of tomatoes. My view of roasted cherry tomatoes, more = better.

As the tomatoes get sweeter this summer, it will be even better. Holy Moly. Easy and wonderful. Only had boneless breast - so cooked for 30 minutes. Perfection!

Excellent recipe that I still use. Omitted brown sugar and I do marinate for a few hours. I add cut up red potatoes and a few large pieces of onion to the pan so it makes a one pan meal to have with a vegetable of your choice. This dish is delish

I absolutely despise cooking and this recipe is my go to!!! Add any extra sheet pan vegetables you want and it’s dinner and lunch next day!

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