Sheet Pan Hot Honey Garlic Chicken and Zucchini is a culinary delight that seamlessly combines the earthy flavors of zucchini with the spicy sweet warmth of hot honey and garlic chicken. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner that’s surprisingly easy to whip up and sure to become a new staple in your dinner rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Everything cooks on one pan, making cleanup a breeze.
- Flavor Explosion: The hot honey garlic sauce is a game-changer and elevates simple ingredients to a gourmet level.
- Healthy Ingredients: Packed with protein from chicken and nutrients from zucchini, it’s a balanced meal.
- Versatile Pairings: Delicious served over rice, alongside fries, or with a fresh salad.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This dish comes together with a handful of simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. Each element builds on the next to deliver layers of flavor that are as vibrant in taste as they are in color.
- Chicken Breasts or Thighs: The base protein, they work brilliantly to absorb all the flavors of the sauce.
- Smoked Paprika: Adds a smoky depth that complements the hot sauce perfectly.
- Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: Essential for that aromatic goodness that penetrates the chicken.
- Hot Sauce: Choose your favorite to determine the level of heat and tang in the sauce.
- Honey: Balances the heat with a rich sweetness, creating that irresistible hot honey flavor.
- Zucchini: Offers a fresh and crunchy contrast, bringing a lovely lightness to the dish.
- Butter: Gives a luscious, creamy texture to the sauce, enriching every bite.
- Blue Cheese or Ranch: Perfect for dipping or drizzling, adding a creamy tang.
- Avocado and Basil: Serve as fresh topping options for a cooling effect.
Variations
This recipe is incredibly flexible! Whether you’re cooking for dietary restrictions or personal preferences, you can adjust it to your liking and still maintain its delicious essence.
- Spice Level: Reduce the cayenne for a milder version, or amp it up with extra chili flakes for more heat.
- Vegetable Swap: Use bell peppers or broccoli instead of zucchini for a different texture and flavor.
- Gluten-Free: Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free alternative to accommodate gluten sensitivities.
How to Make Sheet Pan Hot Honey Garlic Chicken and Zucchini
Step 1: Prep and Preheat
Start by preheating your oven to 450° F and preparing your baking sheet with either parchment paper or a light oil rub. This ensures easy cleanup and prevents sticking, setting you up for success from the get-go.
Step 2: Season and Bake
Toss your chicken cubes with paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and flour directly on the sheet pan. Arrange them on one side and place your prepared zucchini on the other. Drizzle both with olive oil and bake for about 15-20 minutes until the chicken is nearly cooked through.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
While the chicken and zucchini are baking, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then mix in hot sauce, chopped garlic, chipotle chili powder, cayenne, and a pinch of salt. Once everything is well melded, remove from heat and stir in honey for that perfect hot honey balance.
Step 4: Sauce and Finish
Pour the hot honey mixture over the chicken in the pan and give it a good toss to coat evenly. Return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes until the sauce starts to cozy up to the chicken, infusing it with flavor.
Pro Tips for Making Sheet Pan Hot Honey Garlic Chicken and Zucchini
- Zucchini Crispiness: Arrange the zucchini slices in a single layer and away from each other to help them roast perfectly without steaming.
- Sauce Consistency: Let the sauce thicken slightly in the saucepan; it should coat the back of a spoon before you use it to maximize flavor cling to the chicken.
- Balance the Heat: Taste and adjust the cayenne pepper to suit your heat preference after adding the honey.
- Herb Flavor Boost: Gently tear basil leaves before sprinkling them over the dish, releasing more of their fragrance.
How to Serve Sheet Pan Hot Honey Garlic Chicken and Zucchini
Garnishes
Top with creamy slices of avocado, a dash of fresh basil, and sprinklings of green onions to add layers of flavor and a touch of color. A contrasting herbal freshness enhances every bite.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with steamed rice or buttery mashed potatoes. A crisp green salad or garlic bread could complement its rich flavors marvelously.
Creative Ways to Present
Offer this dish family-style by serving it on a large platter, or create a plate-per-person presentation with a structured arrangement of chicken over rice, flanked by beautifully positioned zucchini slices.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Seal leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to four days. This will preserve the flavors and textures for another delicious meal.
Freezing
If you plan to freeze, separate the chicken and zucchini into individual meal portions before placing in freezer-safe containers for up to two months.
Reheating
Reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes or until warmed through, or use the microwave if you’re in a pinch, ensuring to cover to maintain moisture.
FAQs
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Can I use other vegetables instead of zucchini?
Absolutely! Bell peppers, broccoli, or asparagus would be great alternatives and would work well with the existing flavor profile.
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What’s the best way to adjust the spice level?
Modify the amount of cayenne pepper and choose a milder or hotter hot sauce, depending on your personal spice threshold.
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Is there a substitute for the butter in the sauce?
You can use ghee or a plant-based butter alternative if you’re looking for a non-dairy option, keeping the creamy texture intact.
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How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Simply swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend to keep it safe for gluten sensitivity.
Final Thoughts
Sheet Pan Hot Honey Garlic Chicken and Zucchini is a must-try if you’re on the lookout for a recipe that combines ease with exceptional flavor. With minimal prep and a whole lot of love, this dish is bound to become a household favorite. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and dive into a world of delicious flavor!
PrintSheet Pan Hot Honey Garlic Chicken and Zucchini Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Sheet Pan Hot Honey Garlic Chicken and Zucchini is a flavorful, easy-to-make meal that combines spicy hot honey with tender chicken and fresh zucchini, all baked to perfection on a single sheet pan. Topped with creamy avocado, fresh basil, green onions, and your choice of blue cheese or ranch dressing, it’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or an impressive casual gathering.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 2 lb chicken breasts or thighs, cut into cubes
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free alternative)
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
For the Zucchini
- 2 zucchinis or yellow summer squash, sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Hot Honey Sauce
- 1/2 cup hot sauce
- 6 tbsp salted butter
- 4–6 cloves garlic, chopped
- 3/4 tsp chipotle chili powder
- 1–2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to heat preference)
- 1/4 cup honey
For Serving
- Blue cheese or ranch dressing
- Avocado, sliced
- Fresh basil leaves
- Green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or rub with oil to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the chicken. In a large bowl, toss the chicken cubes with smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle the flour over the chicken and toss to coat evenly. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil and toss again. Spread the chicken on one side of the prepared baking sheet.
- Prepare the zucchini. Toss the sliced zucchini with 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, and pepper. Arrange on the other side of the baking sheet. Roast in the oven for 15-20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and zucchini is tender.
- Make the hot honey sauce. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and add hot sauce, chopped garlic, chipotle chili powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir until fully combined and heated through. Remove from heat and stir in honey. Season with a pinch of salt if desired.
- Combine the chicken with the sauce. Remove baked chicken from the oven, pour the hot honey sauce over the chicken, and toss to coat evenly. Bake for an additional 5 minutes to let the sauce set onto the chicken.
- Serve. Plate the hot honey chicken with zucchini, then garnish with sliced avocado, basil leaves, green onions, and your choice of blue cheese or ranch dressing. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Using chicken thighs instead of breasts will yield a more tender, flavorful result.
- Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper based on your spice preference.
- This dish is excellent served over rice or with crispy French fries for extra crunch.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or a gluten-free flour blend.
- If you like it spicier, add extra hot sauce or cayenne pepper.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg