Roasted Cauliflower Chicken Sheet Pan (Printable)

Sheet pan roasted chicken and cauliflower with warm spices, served over rice. Easy weeknight dinner ready in 45 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, approximately 1.1 lb

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets, approximately 1.3 lb
03 - 1 medium red onion, sliced

→ Marinade & Seasonings

04 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
05 - 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
09 - 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes, optional

→ For Serving

11 - 2 cups cooked basmati or jasmine rice
12 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
13 - Lemon wedges

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and chili flakes.
03 - Add chicken thighs to the bowl and toss thoroughly to coat with marinade. Remove and set aside.
04 - Add cauliflower florets and sliced red onion to the remaining marinade in the bowl. Toss well to coat evenly.
05 - Spread cauliflower and red onions evenly on the prepared sheet pan. Nestle chicken thighs among the vegetables.
06 - Roast in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and cauliflower is golden and tender.
07 - Meanwhile, prepare rice according to package instructions if not already cooked.
08 - Divide rice among serving plates. Top with roasted chicken and vegetables. Garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • Everything roasts on one pan so cleanup is practically nonexistent which means you can actually relax after dinner instead of standing at the sink
  • The marinade does double duty coating both chicken and vegetables creating layers of flavor that taste like they simmered all day
02 -
  • Crowding the pan steams instead of roasts so give everything room to breathe even if it means using two pans
  • Letting the chicken rest for five minutes after it comes out keeps all those juices inside instead of running onto the cutting board
03 -
  • Checking the chicken with a meat thermometer takes the guesswork out and guarantees perfect results every single time
  • If the cauliflower is browning too fast before the chicken is done tent the pan loosely with foil for the last minutes
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