My Favorite Weeknight Dinner Recipe
Let me tell you about my easy sheet pan dinner. It is honey balsamic chicken thighs with broccolini. Everything cooks on one pan. That means less washing up. I still laugh at that.
This is my go-to weeknight dinner recipe. It feels fancy but is so simple. You just mix, bake, and enjoy. The smell in your kitchen will be amazing. What is your favorite busy-night meal to make?
The Secret is in the Marinade
The honey balsamic marinade makes this dish special. It is sweet and a little tangy. You mix vinegar, honey, and berry jam. It makes a sticky, shiny glaze.
I always use bone-in skin-on chicken thighs. They stay so juicy. The skin gets crispy in the oven. This matters because juicy chicken makes everyone happy. *Fun fact: The berry jam helps the glaze get thick and sweet.*
One Pan for Everything
Here is the best part. Your chicken thighs and veggies cook together. This is a true one pan chicken and broccolini meal. You add the broccolini near the end.
It gets a little crispy but stays tender. The sun-dried tomatoes add a nice chewy bite. This matters because cooking together lets the flavors mingle. Doesn’t that sound good?
A Little Story for You
My grandson used to pick out all his veggies. Then I made this balsamic glazed chicken. He tried the broccolini because it was covered in those tasty pan juices. He asked for more! I almost fell over.
That is the power of a good sheet pan chicken thighs recipe. It brings everyone to the table. Do your family members have a veggie they once hated but now love?
Why This Meal is a Keeper
This is a gluten free chicken dinner. You do not need any special flour or mixes. The ingredients are simple. You might already have them in your cupboard.
It is a complete meal on one tray. You get your protein and your greens. The cleanup is a dream. I think that is a win. Will you try this chicken thighs with broccolini soon?
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Balsamic vinegar | 1/2 cup | |
| Honey | 1/4 cup | |
| Mixed berry jam | 1/4 cup | Or any berry jam |
| Paprika | 1 teaspoon | |
| Olive Oil | 1/4 cup | |
| Salt and pepper | to taste | |
| Bone-in skin-on chicken thighs | 6 | |
| Broccolini | 3 bunches | |
| Extra virgin olive oil | 1 Tablespoon | |
| Sun-dried tomatoes | 2 Tablespoons | Cut in small pieces |
| Salt and pepper | to taste |
Instructions
Step 1: First, warm your oven to 425F. Now, let’s make our honey balsamic marinade. Mix the vinegar, honey, jam, and spices in a big bowl. Add your bone-in skin-on chicken thighs and stir them well. Doesn’t that smell amazing already?
Step 2: Place the chicken skin-side down on your sheet pan. Drizzle all that good honey balsamic marinade over top. Bake for 30 minutes. Then, lower the heat to 375F. Carefully flip the chicken skin-side up with tongs. (This keeps the skin from sticking!)
Step 3: Bake until the chicken thighs reach 165F inside. Now, let’s add our veggies for a true one pan chicken and broccolini meal. Toss broccolini with oil, sun-dried tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Nestle it around the chicken on the same pan. What’s your favorite veggie for an easy sheet pan dinner? Share below!
Step 4: Bake everything together for about 15 more minutes. The broccolini should be crisp-tender. Your balsamic glazed chicken will be sticky and gorgeous. Let it rest for five minutes before serving. I still laugh at how fast this gluten free chicken dinner disappears!
Creative Twists
Swap the jam for orange marmalade. It makes the honey balsamic chicken taste sunny and bright. Use chicken drumsticks instead of thighs. Kids love them, and they cook just as easily on your sheet pan. Add sliced red onion with the broccolini. It gets sweet and yummy next to the chicken thighs with broccolini. Which one would you try first? Comment below!Serving & Pairing Ideas
This sheet pan chicken thighs meal is complete on its own. For a cozy touch, serve it over fluffy mashed potatoes. The potatoes soak up the extra honey balsamic glaze beautifully. A simple green salad on the side is also perfect. It adds a fresh crunch to your weeknight dinner recipe. Which would you choose tonight?
Keeping Your Honey Balsamic Chicken Thighs Happy
Let’s talk about storing this easy sheet pan dinner. Cool the chicken and broccolini completely first. Then, tuck them into a container in the fridge. They will be good for three days. You can also freeze them for a future busy night. Use a freezer-safe bag for up to three months.
I remember my first time. I put warm food right in the fridge. The next day, everything tasted soggy. Now I always let it cool on the counter. This keeps your balsamic glazed chicken tasting fresh. Batch cooking this weeknight dinner recipe is a lifesaver. It means a good meal is ready on a tiring day. That matters more than you know.
Reheating is simple. Use your oven or toaster oven at 350°F. This keeps the skin on your bone-in skin-on chicken thighs crispy. The microwave can make it rubbery. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!
Simple Fixes for Common Kitchen Hiccups
We all run into little problems. Here are three easy fixes. First, is your balsamic glaze too thin? Just simmer it a bit longer in a small pan. It will thicken as it cools. I once made a sauce as thin as water. A few more minutes of heat fixed it perfectly.
Second, worried about dry chicken? Use a meat thermometer. Cook until it reads 165°F inside. This guarantees juicy meat every time. Trusting a tool builds your cooking confidence. Third, is your broccolini still hard? Cut the stalks in half lengthwise. This helps them cook evenly with the chicken.
These small steps matter. They turn stress into a delicious, gluten free chicken dinner. Good flavor comes from simple care. Which of these problems have you run into before?
Your Quick Questions, Answered
What temperature should I bake chicken thighs?
Start at 425°F for thirty minutes. This gives a great start. Then lower the heat to 375°F. Finish baking until the chicken’s inside is 165°F. This method makes the skin crispy. It also keeps the meat of your bone-in skin-on chicken thighs juicy and tender. It is the key to perfect sheet pan chicken thighs every single time.
How do you make balsamic glaze from scratch?
Simmer balsamic vinegar in a small pot. Use about half a cup. Let it cook on low heat. Stir it now and then. It will slowly get thicker and syrupy. This takes about ten to fifteen minutes. Let it cool. It will thicken more. Now you have a rich glaze for your balsamic glazed chicken.
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
You can, but be careful. Chicken breasts cook faster. They can also dry out more easily. If you use them, check the temperature early. Take them out as soon as they reach 165°F inside. Thighs are more forgiving for this one pan chicken and broccolini dish. They stay moist and soak up the honey balsamic marinade beautifully.
What vegetables go well with balsamic chicken?
Broccolini is perfect, as in our recipe. Other great choices are asparagus, bell peppers, or red onions. Carrots or Brussels sprouts work well too. *Fun fact: Broccolini is a mix of broccoli and Chinese kale!* Toss them in oil, salt, and pepper. Roast them on the same pan. This makes your easy sheet pan dinner complete and colorful.
How do you thicken a balsamic glaze?
Keep cooking it. Pour your vinegar into a small saucepan. Let it bubble gently on the stove. Stir it occasionally. The water in the vinegar evaporates. What is left is a thicker, sweeter syrup. You can also add a spoonful of honey or jam while it cooks. This adds flavor and helps thicken your glaze for honey balsamic chicken thighs.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can. It is a great weeknight dinner recipe to prepare ahead. Mix the honey balsamic marinade and coat the chicken. Keep it covered in the fridge for up to a day. When you are ready, just put it on the pan and bake. You can also fully cook and store it. Reheat in the oven for best results. Which tip will you try first?
From My Kitchen to Yours
I hope you love this chicken thighs with broccolini as much as I do. There is nothing like a meal that comes together on one pan. It leaves more time for stories at the table. I would love to hear about your cooking adventure. Tell me how it turned out for you and your family.
Have you tried this recipe? Please leave a comment below. Share your own little twist or a memory it made. Your stories are my favorite thing to read. Thank you for letting me share my kitchen with you today.
Happy cooking!
—Danielle Monroe.
Balsamic Glazed Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs
Description
Sweet and tangy balsamic glazed chicken thighs roasted with tender broccolini for an easy, flavorful sheet pan dinner.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425F.
- In a large bowl add all the marinade ingredients. Add in the chicken thighs and give it all a good stir to combine. Place the chicken on your sheet pan or jelly roll skin side down. Drizzle on the rest of the marinade ingredients all over the chicken.
- Bake for 30 minutes. Lower the temperature to 375F and using tongs, carefully turn the chicken skin side up. Bake until the internal temperature of the chicken reads 165F.
- Trim 2 inches off the ends of the broccolini stems and cut any thick stalks in half lengthwise. In a small bowl combine broccolini with olive oil, sun dried tomatoes, salt and pepper. Place around the chicken on the sheet pan. Bake for the last 15 minutes of the baking time, until the broccolini is crisp-tender.
Notes
- For a complete meal, serve with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious glaze.