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Easy Lazy Girl Dump-and-Bake Chicken Dinner Recipe for Perfect Weeknight Meals

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A hands-off, comforting one-dish chicken dinner featuring crispy skin, tender meat, and perfectly cooked vegetables, ideal for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs / 700g)
  • 1.5 lbs (700g) baby potatoes, halved (Yukon Gold or red potatoes)
  • 1 large onion, sliced into rings (yellow or white)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: 1 lemon, sliced thinly
  • 2 cups baby carrots or chopped regular carrots
  • 1 cup green beans, trimmed (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C).
  2. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Halve the baby potatoes and slice the onion into rings. Trim the green beans and chop carrots if needed.
  3. In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
  4. Spread the potatoes, onions, carrots, and green beans evenly across the bottom of a large baking dish. Drizzle half the seasoning mix over the veggies and toss gently to coat.
  5. Place the chicken thighs on top of the veggies, skin side up. Drizzle the remaining seasoning mixture over the chicken, making sure each piece is coated. If using lemon slices, tuck them between the chicken and veggies.
  6. Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes. Around the 25-minute mark, check the dish. For extra crispy skin, baste the chicken with pan juices or broil for the last 3-5 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
  7. Check doneness: chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), and potatoes should be fork-tender. Veggies should be soft but hold their shape.
  8. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to redistribute juices.
  9. Serve directly from the dish.

Notes

Pat chicken skin dry before seasoning to ensure crispiness. Avoid overcrowding the pan for even cooking. Broil at the end for extra crispy skin but watch carefully to prevent burning. Let the dish rest 5 minutes before serving. You can swap potatoes for sweet potatoes or cauliflower for low-carb variation. Leftovers reheat well in oven or air fryer to re-crisp skin.

Nutrition

Keywords: dump-and-bake chicken, easy chicken dinner, weeknight meals, one-dish chicken, crispy chicken skin, baked chicken thighs, simple chicken recipe

Find it online: https://jollyfork.com/easy-lazy-girl-dump-and-bake-chicken-dinner-recipe-for-perfect-weeknight-meals/