There’s something so comforting about cozy autumn flavors coming together on one perfectly roasted sheet pan. This Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken with Maple-Dijon Sauce Recipe brings tender chicken and vibrant fall veggies together with a sweet, tangy dressing that just makes dinner feel special—and it’s surprisingly simple!
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 Sauce Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken with Maple-Dijon Sauce Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken with Maple-Dijon Sauce Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Honestly, I fell in love with this dish because it’s like a one-pan hug for your taste buds. It feels fancy enough for guests but comes together in under an hour with little fuss—making weeknight meals a breeze.
- Simple Sheet Pan Dinner: Everything roasts together, which means minimal cleanup and more time to relax after cooking.
- Perfect Fall Flavors: Warm spices like cinnamon and ginger mixed with maple syrup create that cozy vibe we all crave this season.
- Vibrant Veggies: Carrots, Brussels sprouts, and red onions roast to sweet, tender perfection alongside the chicken.
- Easy Yet Impressive Sauce: The maple-Dijon dressing is quick to whip up but adds a layer of richness that truly elevates the dish.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken with Maple-Dijon Sauce Recipe plays its role perfectly. The chicken stays juicy thanks to the flavorful rub, and the veggies balance sweetness and earthiness with a subtle crunch. Here’s the scoop on why these ingredients shine together:
- Chicken breasts (or cutlets): They cook evenly and stay tender, making them ideal for sheet pan roasting.
- Carrots: Diagonal cuts help them roast evenly, emphasizing their natural sweetness.
- Brussels sprouts: Halved or quartered, they get crispy edges without turning bitter.
- Red onion: Added mid-roast, they caramelize perfectly without getting mushy.
- Avocado or olive oil: Helps the veggies and chicken brown nicely while keeping things moist.
- Brown sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness that pairs beautifully with the savory spices.
- Spices (cumin, cinnamon, ginger): These warm notes bring that signature fall flavor punch.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for enhancing all those natural flavors.
- Mayonnaise: Creates a creamy base for the Maple-Dijon sauce without overshadowing other tastes.
- Dijon mustard: Adds tang and depth to the sauce.
- Pure maple syrup: Brings rich sweetness that perfectly balances the mustard’s bite.
- Coconut aminos (or low-sodium soy sauce): Adds umami and subtle saltiness to the sauce.
- Dried oregano and onion powder: Round out the sauce with herbal and savory undertones.
Make It Your Way
This recipe loves a little creativity, so I encourage you to make it your own. I’ve tried adding different veggies or switching up the sauce a bit—and each twist brings something new to the table!
- Variation: Once, I swapped Brussels sprouts for green beans and added sweet potatoes—equally delicious with the maple-Dijon sauce.
- Spice it up: Try mixing in a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat with your fall flavors.
- Dairy-free sauce: Use a vegan mayo to keep it plant-based without losing creaminess.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken with Maple-Dijon Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Pan for Even Roasting
Pop a large rimmed baking sheet into your oven, then preheat the oven to 450℉. This trick of preheating the pan is a little game-changer—it helps everything cook more evenly and develop those beautiful roasted bits we crave. Just be careful removing the hot sheet later!
Step 2: Prep Your Veggies With Love
While your oven warms up, toss carrots and Brussels sprouts in a medium bowl with a tablespoon of oil, salt, and pepper. Give them a good coating so they roast up tender but still crisp on the edges. Keep the red onion aside for now—that comes in later to avoid overcooking.
Step 3: Roast Veggies First, Then Add Chicken
Carefully take out your hot baking sheet (oven mitts on!) and spray it lightly with cooking spray. Spread the prepared carrots and Brussels sprouts evenly on the pan and roast them for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, mix the brown sugar, cumin, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and pepper together for the chicken rub.
Step 4: Season the Chicken
Rub the chicken breasts with the remaining teaspoon of oil, then coat them evenly with your spiced sugar mixture. This blend is what gives the chicken that juicy, flavorful crust.
Step 5: Nestle Chicken and Onion, Then Finish Roasting
After the veggies have had their initial roast, pull the pan out and give the veggies a quick toss. Create little spaces for the chicken pieces and place the sliced red onions around the pan. Pop everything back in for another 10 to 15 minutes until the chicken reaches 165℉ on an instant-read thermometer—checking at 10 minutes to avoid overcooking.
Step 6: Whip Up the Maple-Dijon Sauce
While the chicken cooks, combine mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, coconut aminos, oregano, and onion powder in a small bowl. Taste and season with salt and pepper to your liking. This quick sauce adds that silky, tangy sweetness that ties everything together.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!
Serve the chicken and roasted veggies warm with a generous drizzle of the Maple-Dijon sauce. If you have leftovers, the sauce keeps well in the fridge for up to four days—perfect for a speedy lunch the next day!
Top Tip
After making this Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken with Maple-Dijon Sauce Recipe a handful of times, here are my go-to tips for absolute success in your kitchen.
- Preheat the Baking Sheet: Don’t skip this—it speeds roasting, gives better caramelization, and keeps veggies from steaming.
- Watch the Chicken Temperature: Use an instant-read thermometer so chicken stays juicy, not dry—aim for 165℉ internal temp.
- Add Red Onion Later: Waiting until the second half to add the onion keeps them from getting mushy and helps them caramelize beautifully.
- Master the Sauce Balance: Taste and adjust the maple syrup and mustard to suit your palate—it’s all about that perfect sweet-tangy harmony.
How to Serve Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken with Maple-Dijon Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
I like adding a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or thyme on top before serving—it adds a fresh pop of color and herbaceous flavor that balances the richness perfectly.
Side Dishes
Since this dish is quite satisfying on its own, I usually keep sides light—maybe a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette or some crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For dinner parties, I’ve arranged the chicken and veggies on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of extra maple-Dijon sauce on the side. It makes the meal feel festive and inviting without extra fuss.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
When I have leftovers, I put the chicken and veggies in an airtight container and refrigerate them separately from the sauce. This keeps the textures and flavors fresh for up to 4 days.
Freezing
I’ve frozen fully cooked chicken and veggies in freezer-safe containers, but I prefer freezing just the chicken to maintain the best texture. The sauce does well frozen too but thaw and stir it well before serving.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop the chicken and veggies in a 375℉ oven for about 15 minutes until warmed through—it keeps the outside crisp while heating gently. I add the sauce fresh after reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can, but bone-in pieces will take longer to cook, so adjust your roasting time accordingly and check the internal temperature to ensure they reach 165℉. Bone-in also adds more flavor, but cooking times can vary widely depending on piece size.
No worries! You can substitute low-sodium soy sauce or tamari for coconut aminos in the sauce. It will add similar umami and saltiness. Just taste and adjust the quantities so the sauce balances the sweetness of the maple syrup.
Absolutely! This recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free mustard and check your mayonnaise label. Coconut aminos and pure maple syrup are also gluten-free, making this meal safe for gluten-sensitive eaters.
Try swapping chicken for thick-cut tofu or seasoned chickpeas roasted alongside the veggies. Use vegan mayo for the sauce and make sure to adjust seasoning to taste. The key is roasting at high heat to get those great caramelized edges and a flavorful sauce.
Final Thoughts
This Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken with Maple-Dijon Sauce Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen rotation because it feels like a warm, effortless celebration of the season. I love how it fills the house with cozy aromas and how the sweet-spiced sauce makes every bite memorable. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll find yourself coming back to this recipe again and again—whether for a weeknight family dinner or an easy but elegant meal for friends.
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Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken with Maple-Dijon Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Harvest Sheet Pan Chicken recipe features juicy boneless, skinless chicken breasts roasted alongside nutrient-rich autumn vegetables like carrots and Brussels sprouts. Seasoned with a warm spice rub and served with a tangy Maple-Dijon Dressing, it’s an easy, flavorful meal perfect for weeknights or entertaining guests, with everything cooked on one pan for convenience and tasty results.
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 – 2½ 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 the Oven and Baking Sheet: Place a large rimmed baking sheet in the oven and preheat the oven to 450℉ with the pan inside. This preheating helps ingredients cook evenly.
- Prepare Vegetables: While the oven heats, put the carrots and Brussels sprouts in a medium bowl. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Set aside.
- Roast Carrots and Brussels Sprouts: Using an oven mitt, carefully remove the hot sheet pan and spray it with cooking spray. Spread the carrots and Brussels sprouts evenly on the pan without the onions. Return to the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
- Make the Spice Rub: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, cumin, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and pepper for the seasoning rub.
- Season Chicken: Rub the chicken breasts with the remaining 1 teaspoon oil and sprinkle the seasoning rub evenly over them.
- Add Chicken and Onion to Pan: After 15 minutes, remove the pan from the oven, stir the vegetables, and create spaces for the chicken and sliced red onion. Nestle the chicken and onions among the vegetables.
- Finish Roasting: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165℉. Check at 10 minutes and cook longer if needed.
- Prepare the Maple-Dijon Dressing: While the chicken cooks, mix mayonnaise, mustard, maple syrup, coconut aminos, oregano, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Serve: Plate the roasted chicken and vegetables, and serve with the Maple-Dijon Dressing. Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Preheating the baking sheet ensures even cooking and nicely roasted vegetables and chicken.
- You can substitute avocado oil with olive oil or another neutral oil if preferred.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure the mustard and coconut aminos or soy sauce used are gluten-free.
- Leftover dressing makes a great spread for sandwiches or a dip for veggies.
- This dish is perfect for meal prep as it keeps well and reheats nicely.
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: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 74 mg
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