Budget-Friendly Spanish Chicken and Veggie One-Pan Dinner: Quick & Easy Weeknight Meal
A quick, easy, and budget-friendly one-pan dinner is created featuring Spanish chicken and veggies. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and offers a delicious and flavorful meal that’s ready in 30 minutes.
Equipment
- Large oven-safe Ceramic Baking dish
- Cooking Tongs (optional)
- Wooden cutting board
- Chef knife
- Oven
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in chicken thighs skin on or off, up to you
- 1 large onion diced fine
- 5-6 garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- Juice from 2 lemons
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tsp Dried Oregano organic
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- Salt and Black pepper to taste
Instructions
Step 1 - Prepare veggies
- Preheat oven to 200°C / 400°F
- Cut and prepare the veggies and add them to the baking dish.1 large onion, 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- Mince the garlic and add it to the dish along with the chicken thighs.5-6 garlic cloves, 4 bone-in chicken thighs
- Add the herbs and spices, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, and a drizzle of good-quality extra virgin olive oil.Juice from 2 lemons, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 1 tsp Smoked Paprika, 1 tsp Dried Oregano, 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- Season to taste with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.Salt and Black pepper to taste
Step 2 - Mix and Bake
- Use your hands (or cooking tongs) to mix the ingredients in the dish, ensuring that the chicken and veggies are evenly covered in seasoning and oil.
- Add to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Use a Meat thermometer to check the chicken is cooked. It should reach an internal temperature of 74°C / 165°F once it is cooked.
- Serve while still hot alongside your favorite greens, steamed rice, or grains.
Notes
Cooking tips:
A few helpful cooking tips to elevate your Spanish Chicken and Veggie dish:🔪 Preparation Tips
- Pat the chicken dry before seasoning – this helps achieve a better sear and crispier skin, even in the oven.
- Marinate ahead of time (if possible) – if you have the time, letting the chicken and veggies sit in the lemon juice, olive oil, and spices for 30 minutes to 2 hours (or overnight) enhances flavor depth.
🍋 Ingredient Enhancements
- Zest the lemons before juicing and add the zest to the dish for extra citrusy brightness.
- Add other Spanish-inspired veggies like sliced bell peppers or zucchini for variety and color.
- Use high-quality smoked paprika (pimentón de la Vera if you can find it) for authentic Spanish flavor.
🔥 Cooking & Oven Tips
- Roast uncovered so the chicken skin crisps and the veggies caramelize slightly.
- Position chicken skin-side up (if using skin-on) to allow browning and better texture.
- Rotate the dish halfway through baking if your oven has hot spots for even cooking.
🧂 Finishing Touches
- Rest the chicken for 5 minutes after baking to retain juices.