Smoked Paprika Sheet Pan Chicken and Potatoes
Crispy-skinned chicken thighs roasted over garlicky potatoes and onions with smoked paprika and lemon. One pan, about an hour, mostly hands-off.
Smoked Paprika Sheet Pan Chicken and Potatoes takes about 60 minutes (15 min prep, 45 min cooking) and serves 4. Crispy-skinned chicken thighs roasted over garlicky potatoes and onions with smoked paprika and lemon. One pan, about an hour, mostly hands-off.
This is the dinner for nights when you want something that tastes like effort but isn’t. The potatoes roast in the drippings from the chicken, which is exactly as good as it sounds.
Smoked paprika does the heavy lifting here — it gives the skin a deep color and a backyard-grill flavor without lighting a grill.
Smoked Paprika Sheet Pan Chicken and Potatoes
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Pat the chicken very dry with paper towels.
- Mix smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and the pepper in a small bowl.
- On a large rimmed sheet pan, toss potatoes, onion, and smashed garlic with 2 tablespoons oil and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Spread in an even layer.
- Rub the chicken with the remaining tablespoon of oil, then the spice mix, getting some under the skin. Nestle the thighs skin-side up on top of the vegetables, leaving space between pieces.
- Roast 40–45 minutes, until the skin is deeply browned and crisp, the potatoes are tender, and the chicken reads at least 175°F (80°C) near the bone.
- Squeeze the lemon juice over everything, scatter parsley, and serve with lemon wedges and the pan juices spooned over the potatoes.
Notes
- Thighs are forgiving — 175–185°F is ideal for tender dark meat even though 165°F is safe.
- For extra-crisp skin, salt the chicken and leave it uncovered in the fridge for a few hours or overnight first.
Questions
Can I use boneless chicken thighs?
Yes. Boneless, skinless thighs cook faster — add them for the last 20–25 minutes so the potatoes get a head start.
What temperature should chicken thighs reach?
165°F is the safe minimum, but thighs are most tender at 175–185°F because their connective tissue has more time to break down.