One-Pan Fall Chicken Dinner: A Cozy Autumn Escape

This recipe turns the mundane into a celebration of autumn. Instead of a typical roasted chicken, I embrace the chaos of a single sheet pan, layered with the warm scents of cinnamon, thyme, and sweet potatoes. It captures the fleeting essence of fall, with every bite whispering seasonal comfort.

What makes this dish special is its imperfect rhythm—crisp edges, tender insides, and the fragrant aroma that fills the kitchen. It’s perfect for those busy days when you crave something hearty yet straightforward, with natural flavors that shout fall. No fuss, just pure, cozy nourishment served on a single pan.

Sheet Pan Cinnamon Thyme Roasted Chicken with Sweet Potatoes

This dish features a whole chicken that is roasted on a sheet pan alongside sweet potatoes and aromatics. The chicken develops crispy skin while remaining tender inside, with caramelized vegetables and fragrant seasoning creating a rustic, fall-inspired presentation.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 580

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

• 1 whole chicken, whole patted dry
• 2 large sweet potatoes peeled and cubed
• 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon for seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme or fresh thyme if available
• to taste salt and freshly ground black pepper

Equipment

• Sheet pan
• Kitchen tongs

Method

 

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Rub the whole chicken generously with salt, pepper, cinnamon, and thyme, ensuring all sides are seasoned evenly.
2. Place the seasoned chicken on the center of a large sheet pan. Drizzle the chicken with a tablespoon of olive oil and massage it into the skin for even browning.
3. Scatter the cubed sweet potatoes around the chicken, then drizzle them with the remaining two tablespoons of olive oil. Toss gently to coat all pieces evenly with oil and spices.
4. Transfer the sheet pan to the oven and roast for about 45 minutes, or until the chicken skin is golden and crispy, and the sweet potatoes are tender and caramelized. Baste the chicken with juices from the pan halfway through if desired.
5. Remove the sheet pan from the oven and rest the chicken for 10 minutes before carving. The sweet potatoes should be soft with slightly crispy edges, while the chicken skin is crispy and aromatic.
6. Carve the chicken and serve alongside the roasted sweet potatoes, garnished with fresh thyme if desired. Enjoy the crispy skin contrasted with tender, flavorful meat and caramelized vegetables.

As the oven’s warmth starts to drift out with that unmistakable smell of roasting garlic and caramelized vegetables, I feel a gentle reminder of autumn’s quiet beauty. This dish is a small, satisfying celebration of the season, perfect for chilly evenings or lazy weekends.

Sharing a single pan brings a sense of simplicity and joy. It’s about savoring the flavors, the smells, and the fleeting nature of fall, all wrapped into one easy-to-make meal. Sometimes the best surprises come from the simplest dinners.