Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs

Craving a delicious and affordable meal that’s easy to make? Look no further than smoked sheet pan chicken thighs with sweet potatoes, poblano peppers, red onions and roasted grapes.. This one-pan dish is packed with flavor and nutrition, and it’s perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.

Sheet Pan Chicken, Sweet Potatoes and Roasted Grapes might become you Fall go-to recipe thanks to the sponsorship from Cowboy® Charcoal!  In fact, Cowboy® Oak & Hickory Hardwood Lump Charcoal gives chicken thighs such a pleasant hint of hickory smoke you could choose to make this dish year round. In addition, always remember that Cowboy® Charcoal is an affordable way to boost flavor in any of your grilled dishes.

WHY SHEET PAN CHICKEN THIGHS ARE A FAVORITE

Melding Ingredients: Grilling on a sheet pan allows the smoky chicken juices to marry with the sweet potatoes, red onions, poblano and grapes. The roasted grapes give a natural sweetness that is craveable! Consequently, the mild heat from thinly sliced poblanos balances with the grape’s sweetness along with the softened sweet potatoes and onions; simply delicious.

Affordability: SHEET PAN CHICKEN THIGHS with SWEET POTATOES AND ROASTED GRAPES is very affordable, especially if you use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. Sweet potatoes, poblano pepper, red onion, and grapes are also relatively inexpensive ingredients. My package of chicken thighs was on sale for 99-cents per pound. The entire package was $3.50! My whole dinner came to under $7.00, and it fed 4 people.

Ease of Preparation: This recipe is very easy to make. Simply brown the chicken then combine all of the ingredients on a sheet pan to roast. BooM! Done!

Flavor: The combination of smoked chicken, sweet potatoes, poblano, and roasted grapes is simply delicious. The smoky flavor of the chicken pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the sweet potatoes and grapes. Besides you get the bonus of a touch of subtle heat from the poblanos. Lastly, the Oak & Hickory Lump Charcoal infuses the entire dish with delicious flavor that the oven just can’t give.

Nutrition: This recipe is a good source of protein, carbohydrates, and vitamins. The chicken is a good source of protein and niacin, while the sweet potatoes are a good source of carbohydrates, vitamin A, and vitamin C. The grapes are a good source of antioxidants. Poblano peppers are rich in vitamins A and C, carotenoids, capsaicin, and other compounds that may act as antioxidants! 

WHY GRILL ON A SHEET PAN

I highly suggest grilling on a sheet pan for a few reasons. Note, I am not saying always cook on a sheet pan but it does make sense for a few recipes. Just make sure the sheet pan is heavy duty and that you don’t mind it turning golden brown. For example, my favorite brand is USA PANS, and I designate 2 of my rimmed baking pans to cooking on the grill. USA PANS have the weight I am looking for on the grill. Your other option is to use LODGE Cast Iron rimmed baking sheet. You probably have noticed that I use cast iron on the grill all of the time.

Even Cooking:

A sheet pan helps to ensure that your food cooks evenly, especially if you are cooking multiple items at once. This is because the pan distributes the heat evenly throughout the food.

Reduced Mess:

Grilling and smoking on a sheet pan can help to reduce mess. I love that the pan holds all of the juices from the chicken instead of feeding the lump charcoal!  In addition, feel free to line the sheet pan with foil for even easier clean up. In contrast, I prefer my chicken to cook directly on the pan not on foil. Plus, I save the earth that way!

More control:

Using a sheet pan gives you more control over the cooking process. For example, you can easily move the pan around to avoid flare-ups or to adjust the temperature. You can also use the pan to create indirect heat, which is ideal for smoking.

Plus, I love that I don’t have to rotate individual pieces of onion, poblano and grapes on grill grates! Just turn the sheet pan!

SHEET PAN CHICKEN THIGHS INGREDIENTS

Chicken Thighs:

About 8-10 chicken thighs will fit on a sheet pan. You do want about 1/4-inch between each thigh. Yes, you can use chicken hindquarters or drumsticks if you want to substitute.

Onions:

Red sliced onions are my favorite for this recipe because they look great! However, white or yellow onions are fine!

Poblano Peppers:

I love the gently heat of a poblano. You have probably noticed, I use poblano peppers a log. However, if you like more heat than what a poblano gives, try 2 sliced jalapeños or 1 chopped Serrano pepper. Consequently, if you are like my friend Kim who likes no heat then use a green pepper.

Sweet Potatoes:

Despite Hubby proclaiming he doesn’t like sweet potatoes he dudn’t say a word as he happily ate this dish. In short, the thinly sliced and roasted sweet potatoes don’t have the same texture as served whole or mashed in a casserole.  The key here is to slice the sweet potato or potatoes 1/8th inch thick. A huge 9-inch sweet potato was all I needed to feed four! Do not substitute the sweet potato with russet potato. If sweet potatoes aren’t your favorite then use Yukon Gold

Grapes:

In flavor, a red seedless or green grape will do. Currently, there is a super sweet red grape on the market. I choose it because it is big, roasts well, and is pretty.

Seasoning:

I happen to love Jack Daniels chicken rub and steak rub! Therefore I use one or both of the seasoning blends. If you have a favorite, use it. Make sure to sprinkle it under the skin.

Orange:

It is important to perk up the flavors in grill-roasted chicken and veggies with some type of acid. The orange I chose gave brightness to the dish. You can use lemon or lime.

Herbs:

I minced basil and sprinkled over the sheet pan dinner. However tarragon, parsley or cilantro would be delicious too.

HOW TO MAKE SHEET PAN CHICKEN THIGHS

Prepare the Chicken

Trim any scraggly skin or fat. Season the chicken with Jack Daniel’s Chicken Rub on all sides. I even like to get the rub under the skin. In this case, you can allow the chicken to absorb the the spices overnight or just 20 minutes before grilling.

Prepare the Grill

Arrange the grill with a full bed of Cowboy® Hardwood Briquets or Cowboy® Lump Charcoal, to medium, about 375°F. Add a few Hickory Smoking Wood Chunks, for added yumminess. Place the sheet pan in the center of the grill 5 minutes before adding the chicken.

Prepare the Vegetables

I use my mandoline to slice the sweet potato, red onion, and poblano in super thin 1/8-inch slices. Of course, you can hand cut too but using a mandoline give uniform slices and makes the preparation go so fast!

Season the Vegetables

Toss the sweet potatoes, poblano, and red onions in olive oil, and sprinkle with Jack Daniel’s Steak Seasoning. Use A Mandoline If you are interested in buying a mandoline make sure it is high quality. My OXO mandoline did cost about $99 but I’ve had it for you, and it is always sharp. I always use the hand guard, and I encourage you to use it too.

Brown the Chicken

To make Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs start out by brushing the chicken with oil and placing it on the hot sheet pan. Cook for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken skin is easily lifted from the pan.

Roast the Chicken

Remove the partially cooked chicken and add the thinly sliced vegetables and grapes. Place the chicken Cook for about 20 minutes more or until the chicken thighs are around 170°F.

#1 Grilling Tip

Make sure your sheet pan will fit on the grate rack and still allow the lid to securely close! My full size sheet pan does not fit my grill so I grill and smoke on my half sheet pan!

To Serve

Squeeze a fresh orange slice or two over the chicken. Garnish the chicken with orange slices and your favorite herbs.

SHOUT OUT TO COWBOY PRODUCTS

Cowboy® Brand products are natural! As a California Fresh Cook, natural is important to me! Thus I appreciate that it is made with quality hardwood and no fillers. I enjoy how Cowboy® Oak & Hickory Hardwood Lump Charcoal infuses sheet pan chicken thighs and veggies with just the right level of smoke. However, with Cowboy® brand charcoal and briquets you always have options! Consequently, you can’t go wrong with any of the following for this cook!

Cowboy Garlic & Onion Hardwood Briquets:

The briquets are actually made with the garlic and onion blended right into the briquet, not just a coating on the outside. In addition, there are no chemicals or additives; so important to me.

Cowboy®Mesquite Hardwood Briquets:

Cowboy® Mesquite Hardwood Briquets are made with up to 15% real mesquite wood. Some people might disagree with me because mesquite has a strong flavor but I have experienced that mesquite is delicious when smoking fruit and chicken. Once again, there are no chemicals, mineral fillers, or additives in mesquite briquets. The mesquite wood is blended into the briquet, not just applied to the outside.

COWBOY® HARDWOOD LUMP CHARCOAL

Cowboy® Hardwood Lump Charcoal lights quickly and burns long. It’s a favorite for barbecue fans because of the authentic smoky flavor it gives to your meals. The flavor of the smoke is so pleasant you don’t have to use wood chunks or chips unless you want a little something extra. Lump charcoal lights faster, burns hotter, and leaves less ash than briquets.

HERE IS ANOTHER AFFORDABLE DINNER

Oak and Hickory Smoked Meatballs!

Conclusion

SHEET PAN CHICKEN THIGHS with SWEET POTATOES and ROASTED GRAPES can be easily customized to your liking. For example, different types of chicken, such as hindquarters or drumsticks can be used. With this in mind, different types of vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts, carrots, or butternut squash are a welcomed substitution.

All in all, smoking chicken thighs on a sheet pan with sweet potatoes, poblano, red onion, and roasted grapes will result in a delicious, affordable dinner that is easy-to-make. Plus, it’s a perfect meal for a busy weeknight dinner. Give it a try today…I mean tonight!