Juicy and succulent, these easy Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs are a family favorite! Baked together with low carb veggies, this keto dinner recipe comes together with minimal effort. So full of flavor!
I originally created Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies for my first cookbook, The Everyday Ketogenic Kitchen. But this recipe is such a fabulous standout, a perfect one-pan keto meal, I just had to share it here on my website too.
It became a family favorite from the very first bite. The flavors meld so well and the vegetables soak up the delicious juices. Even my kids will willingly eat the cauliflower and Brussels sprouts because they taste so good!
This delectable keto chicken recipe is in regular rotation, along with French Onion Chicken and Easy Pizza Chicken.
Spectacular keto chicken recipe
It’s been almost 6 years since my cookbook came out, and I’ve honestly lost count how many times we’ve made these Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs since then. It’s such an easy recipe, I keep thighs on hand for it at all times.
I love keto sheet pan meals because they are typically quick and convenient. You cook the whole meal on the same pan, so there is less to prep and fewer dishes to wash.
But this sheet pan chicken is truly something special. The mouthwatering smells that emanate from the oven literally stop you in your tracks. It’s the combination of the roasting poultry, the cumin and coriander spice rub, and the hearty low carb veggies.
When cooking is complete, you have luscious, juicy chicken thighs and meltingly tender vegetables. It’s the kind of meal that makes you want to curl up somewhere cozy and savor all the scents and flavors.
This Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies is the ultimate keto comfort food. And it has only 5.3g net carbs per serving!
Five Star Reviews
“This is SOOOOOOO easy, quick AND delicious. My husband and kids love it just as much as I do and nobody misses any carbs!” –Lori
“Winner of a chicken dinner! Loved the mix of flavors. Will be making this one again. Thanks!” –Linda
“This recipe was absolutely delicious. My husband said it was some of the tastiest chicken he has ever eaten. Total winner for whole family. Thanks for sharing a great recipe!” — Liz
Ingredients you need
- Skin-on bone-in chicken thighs: You can do this with boneless, skinless thighs but the meal won’t be quite as filling. It will also cook through faster so you likely only need 20 to 25 minutes. I don’t recommend chicken breasts as they tend to dry out easily.
- Avocado or Olive Oil: I like to toss the veggies with oil, salt, and pepper right on the pan itself.
- Butter: I use melted butter for the spice mixture that I brush over the chicken. But you can use additional oil if you prefer to be dairy-free.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic provides the best flavor.
- Spices: The unbelievable flavor in these Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs comes from a mix of cumin, coriander, paprika, and a little cayenne.
- Low carb vegetables: I used cauliflower and Brussels sprouts for this recipe, but you can mix it up a bit. Try to choose hearty vegetables that won’t soften too much during cooking. Broccoli, turnips, or rutabaga are good choices, but zucchini will become mushy.
- Thick-cut bacon: Bacon adds a delicious smokiness to the vegetables. But feel free to skip if if you don’t eat pork.
Step-by-step directions
1. Season the vegetables: Spread the cauliflower, sprouts, and bacon out on a large rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat well and spread out into a single layer on the pan.
2. Prepare the seasoning: In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, garlic, cumin, paprika, coriander, cayenne and additional salt and pepper.
3. Season the chicken: Nestle the chicken thighs into the vegetables. Brush the tops of the thighs with the spice mixture.
4. Roast: Bake 30 to 35 minutes at 450ºF, until the center of the chicken thighs registers 165°F on an instant read thermometer. Turn on the broiler and set the pan on the second highest rack of the oven. Broil 1 to 3 minutes to brown the chicken.
Expert tips
Cooking everything at a high temperature helps crisp the chicken skin and caramelize the vegetables. If you are swapping out vegetables, be sure that they are approximately the same size and thickness. Veggies that cook faster should be added later in the roasting process or they will become too soft and mushy.
Be sure to use a large sheet pan so your food isn’t overcrowded and the veggies can spread out in a single layer. This ensures even cooking and allows the hot pan to brown the vegetables properly.
Don’t line your pan with foil or parchment, as it will keep the veggies from browning properly. The oil and juice from the chicken will be sufficient to keep things from sticking.
Store any leftovers in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It reheats well in the oven or the microwave and makes fabulous easy lunches! I’ve even eaten it for breakfast a few times.
Dairy-Free Option: Replace the butter in the spice rub with oil or ghee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bake the sheet pan chicken thighs at 450ºF to for crispy skin and caramelized vegetables. You know the chicken is done when the juices run clear and a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165ºF.
Bone-in, skin-on thighs take longer to bake than boneless skinless chicken. When baking at 450ºF, they will take 30 to 35 minutes to cook through properly.
This keto sheet pan chicken recipe has 8.8g of carbs and 3.5g of fiber per serving. That comes to 5.3g net carbs per serving.
More delicious sheet pan recipes
Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 medium head cauliflower cut into 1-inch florets
- ½ pound Brussels sprouts quartered
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- Salt and pepper
- 6 medium chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on
- 2 tablespoons butter or additional oil melted
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ¾ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F.
- Spread the cauliflower, sprouts, and bacon out on a large rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat well and spread out into a single layer on the pan.
- In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, garlic, cumin, paprika, coriander, cayenne and additional salt and pepper.
- Nestle the chicken thighs into the vegetables. Brush the tops of the thighs with the spice mixture.
- Bake 30 to 35 minutes, until the center of the chicken thighs registers 165°F on an instant read thermometer.
- Turn on the broiler and set the pan on the second highest rack of the oven. Broil 1 to 3 minutes to brown the chicken.
MCF says
This was amazing! That butter blend is to die for. I loved it so much I made sheet pan steak fajitas last night and used it on the steak. SO good. I’m also loving your Cheddar Zucchini Drop Scones. Why are they not #1 on Pintrest? Where have they been all my life? Loving the entire cookbook. Making your Crispy Fish Nuggets tonight!
Carolyn says
I am so glad to hear it and love your idea for the steak!
Katie says
This is my favorite meal both for how delicious it is, how easy it is to make, and how versatile it really is. Swap out the veggie combo to vary it up and literally you need no other recipe for weeknight dinners. Make 8-10 servings and you have dinners or dinner and lunch for the week. I’d also try it whith chicken breasts for a lighter version or pork chops or even fish or salmon to truly make this dish so many different ways. My husband isn’t a big Brussels Sprouts so I add zucchini squash and baby bella mushrooms and make a double batch.
Carolyn says
So glad you liked it!
Linda Dorrance says
Winner of a chicken dinner! Loved the mix of flavors. Will be making this one again. Thanks
Carolyn says
Glad you liked it!
Debby says
My husband and I have just found a tie for first place in our favorite keto meals that we have tried in the past 14 months! Both recipes were by Carolyn! This sheet pan chicken is so flavorful and juicy! My husband doesn’t even like cauliflower and loved it in this dish. I can’t wait to eat left overs for lunch tomorrow!
Carolyn says
Thanks so much!
Pat says
I just made this. I subbed broccoli for the cauliflower cause that’s what I had on hand. It was DELICIOUS!!! I almost left out the cayenne because I don’t like anything spicy but it was perfect! I went ahead and ordered this cookbook. I can’t wait for it to arrive. P.S. I only buy cookbooks with pictures of every recipe. This is my 2nd one of yours. ????
Carolyn says
Thanks so much. Mine definitely has photos of every recipe… my publisher won’t compromise on that and I agree! It’s the best way to know what you’re making.
Sweta Santuka says
This is the yummiest,easiest and the most colorful chicken dish I have tried since my keto woe. Thanks for another great recipe,Carolyn !! You are a GENIUS and a god send for ppl on keto.
Carolyn says
Thanks so much!
Caroline Cohen says
Fabulous meal. I made this for a small dinner gathering including one vegetarian. I subbed one piece of tofu for a chicken thigh and it was also phenomenal. Just had to take out the tofu about halfway through cooking.
Carolyn says
So glad that worked out.
Jayme says
This was delicious. I didnt jave cauliflower so I cut up some beets. Microwaved for 2 min and mixed in with the rest of the brussel sprouts and bacon
I will totally make again
Allyson says
Wow this is an amazing recipe! Easy and insanely delicious. Definitely gonna be in rotation now. Thank you.
Jennifer says
Our dinner went like this: Eat a few bites, moan and say “This is soooo good!” Eat a few more bites, “This is really, really good!” And repeat until we were almost licking our plates. Great recipe. The sauce on the chicken would be amazing on just about anything. Thinking of slicing a head of cauliflower and roasting just with the sauce on it next.
Rebecca C says
This recipe is in my regular rotation. Easy and delicious!
Jennifer Blake says
Yuuuuuum! Love one pan for the whole dinner.
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
Sheet pan meals are the best! Love this chicken and veggies!
Jennifer Farley says
Such an easy dinner to whip up! Thanks for sharing!
Kristy Bernardo says
I LOVE a good sheet pan dinner! I was telling a good friend about your cookbook the other day, btw. She’s going to love it!
Carolyn says
Thanks, Kristy!
gerry speirs says
All in one, I love it!!
Liz says
There’s something for everyone in this sheet pan dinner—Brussels sprouts for me, cauliflower and bacon for the hubby and that perfectly seasoned chicken for us all!
Liz says
This recipe was absolutely delicious. My husband said it was some of the tastiest chicken he has ever eaten. Total winner for whole family. Thanks for sharing a great recipe!
Nadia says
I made this 2 weeks ago and am ready to make it again tonight. This is absolutely delicious and, as all your recipes, easy to make in no time. I bought your book, pre-ordered the ones in the makes and they are my go to books. I own literally hundreds of recipe books. But yours is the one that I keep in the kitchen. Thank you! (I’m off no wot prepare peanut-chocolate fat bombs and the decadent macadamia chocolate ones… can’t live without them anymore lol)
Carolyn says
Thanks so much, Nadia!
Michelle says
Could Asparagus be used as one of the veggies?