Easy & Flavorful One-Pan Roasted Chicken, Potatoes & Leeks with Creamy Dill Sauce

Discover the ultimate weeknight meal solution with this incredibly delicious and convenient one-pan roasted chicken, potatoes, and leeks. Elevated by a vibrant mix of cumin, sriracha, and fresh lemon, and perfectly complemented by crisp arugula and a creamy garlic dill sauce, this dish isn’t just a meal—it’s a culinary experience. Say goodbye to endless cleanup and hello to a wholesome, flavor-packed dinner that comes together effortlessly on a single sheet pan.

Sheet pan dinners have revolutionized how many of us approach the perennial question: “What’s for dinner tonight?” Their appeal is undeniable: minimal prep, hands-off cooking, and perhaps most importantly, drastically fewer dishes to wash! This makes them a hero in any busy kitchen, perfect for weeknights when time is short but the craving for a homemade, nutritious meal is strong.

While many one-pan recipes offer simplicity, this particular roasted chicken, potato, and leek dish takes things a step further. We’ve infused it with a thoughtful combination of flavors—earthy cumin, a hint of spicy sriracha, and bright lemon zest—that truly make it stand out. But the magic doesn’t stop there. Serving the tender, caramelized roasted elements with a generous bed of fresh, peppery arugula and a luscious, homemade creamy garlic dill yogurt sauce transforms it into a truly complete, well-rounded meal that feels both comforting and refined. It’s the kind of dinner that will impress without demanding hours in the kitchen, proving that convenience and gourmet flavor can absolutely go hand-in-hand.

Table of Contents

• What’s in This Flavorful Sheet Pan Dinner
• Customize Your Meal: Variations and Substitutions
• Step-by-Step Guide: Making This Easy Roasted Chicken and Potatoes
• More Easy Sheet Pan Meals to Try
• Get the Full Recipe Details

What’s in This Flavorful Sheet Pan Dinner

Each ingredient in this sheet pan chicken and potatoes recipe plays a crucial role in creating a harmonious and utterly delicious meal. Here’s a closer look at the stars of the show:

• Bone-in, Skin-on Chicken Thighs: These are the secret to incredibly juicy and flavorful chicken. The bone helps to conduct heat evenly, keeping the meat moist, while the skin crisps up beautifully in the oven, adding wonderful texture and richness. Plus, chicken thighs are generally more affordable than breasts!
  • Substitution Tip: While bone-in, skin-on thighs are highly recommended, you can opt for boneless, skinless chicken thighs for quicker cooking, or even chicken breasts. Just be mindful that boneless cuts might dry out more easily, and chicken breasts may require adjustments to the cooking time to ensure they remain tender and cooked through without becoming tough.
• Yukon Gold Potatoes: My top choice for this recipe due to their naturally creamy texture and slightly buttery flavor. When roasted, they develop a wonderfully soft interior and crispy edges, absorbing all the delicious seasonings.
  • Substitution Tip: Russet potatoes (peeled and cut into similar-sized pieces) will also work, offering a starchier texture. Red potatoes are another great option; they hold their shape well and add a pop of color. Ensure all potato pieces are uniform in size for even cooking.
• Leeks: Often overlooked, leeks are a fantastic way to introduce a mild, sweet, and delicate oniony flavor. They caramelize beautifully in the oven, adding depth and a gourmet touch to this simple meal. They’re readily available in most grocery stores and are surprisingly versatile.
  • Cleaning Tip: Leeks are notorious for trapping dirt. Always slice them first, then thoroughly rinse them under cold water, separating the layers to ensure all grit is removed. A salad spinner can help dry them efficiently.
• Fresh Dill: This herb is a powerhouse of fresh, herbaceous flavor. It brings a bright, aromatic quality that perfectly complements the rich chicken and earthy potatoes, especially when combined with the creamy sauce.
  • Substitution Tip: If fresh dill isn’t available, you can use about half the amount of dried dill. However, fresh dill truly makes a difference in terms of vibrant flavor.
• Arugula (Optional, but Highly Recommended!): Serving the hot roasted chicken, potatoes, and leeks over a bed of fresh arugula adds a fantastic peppery bite and a refreshing contrast. It transforms the dish into a complete meal, offering a light, crisp component that balances the richness of the roasted elements. It’s like adding a built-in salad!
• Creamy Garlic Dill Sauce (Optional, but Highly Recommended!): This simple yet incredibly flavorful sauce is what truly elevates this sheet pan dinner from good to spectacular. Made with yogurt, fresh garlic, lemon, and dill, it provides a cool, tangy, and herby counterpoint to the warm roasted vegetables and chicken. It also doubles as a delicious dressing for the arugula, tying all the components together beautifully.
  • Sauce Base Alternatives: If yogurt isn’t preferred, sour cream, créme fraîche, or even a dairy-free plain yogurt alternative can be used.
• Flavor Boosters: Cumin, Sriracha, Lemon Zest & Juice: These ingredients work in harmony to give the chicken and potatoes their distinctive, irresistible flavor. Cumin adds warmth and earthiness, sriracha provides a gentle heat that awakens the palate, and lemon zest and juice contribute a bright, zesty freshness that cuts through the richness.

Customize Your Meal: Variations and Substitutions

One of the greatest advantages of sheet pan meals is their incredible adaptability, and this recipe is certainly no exception! While this dish is perfectly balanced and delicious as written, feel free to get creative and tailor it to your taste, what you have on hand, or dietary preferences. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

Add More Vegetables

Boost the nutritional content and color of your meal by adding other quick-cooking vegetables directly to the sheet pan. Consider:

• Green Beans or Asparagus: Toss them with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, and add them during the last 15-20 minutes of roasting so they don’t overcook.
• Broccoli or Cauliflower Florets: These sturdy vegetables can be added alongside the leeks, roasting for a similar duration.
• Bell Peppers or Zucchini: Dice them into 1-inch pieces and add them with the leeks for a colorful, tender-crisp addition.
• Carrots or Parsnips: If using root vegetables like these, cut them into smaller pieces or thinner sticks and add them at the very beginning with the potatoes to ensure they become tender.

Protein Swaps

• Boneless Chicken: As mentioned, boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts can be used. Adjust cooking time (typically less for boneless, more for thick breasts) and keep an eye on internal temperature.
• Sausage: Sliced pre-cooked chicken or pork sausage can be a fantastic addition, adding another layer of savory flavor. Add it with the potatoes for good browning.
• Salmon: For a pescatarian option, roast salmon fillets alongside the vegetables. Salmon cooks quickly, so add it only during the last 12-15 minutes of roasting, depending on thickness.

Flavor Profile Adjustments

• Spice It Up: For more heat, increase the sriracha or add a pinch of red pepper flakes. For a smoky twist, incorporate smoked paprika alongside the cumin.
• Herb Garden Freshness: Experiment with other fresh herbs. Rosemary and thyme pair beautifully with chicken and potatoes, or try fresh parsley for a milder, garden-fresh note.
• Garlic Lover’s Dream: Add a few unpeeled garlic cloves to the sheet pan for roasted garlic that becomes sweet and spreadable.

Simplify the Meal

If you’re truly short on time or ingredients, you can simplify the recipe:

• Omit the Arugula: While highly recommended for its freshness, the meal is still hearty and delicious without it.
• Skip the Yogurt Sauce: A simple squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the finished dish can offer a similar brightness, though you’ll miss the creamy texture.

Step-by-Step Guide: Making This Easy Roasted Chicken and Potatoes

Creating this flavorful one-pan meal is straightforward, making it perfect for both novice and experienced cooks. Follow these simple steps for a delicious dinner:

1. Prepare and Season Chicken and Potatoes: Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C) and lightly greasing a large sheet pan. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of olive oil with the cumin, sriracha (adjusting to your preferred level of heat), salt, and black pepper. Add the bone-in chicken thighs and the 1-inch chopped potatoes to this mixture. Toss everything thoroughly until the chicken and potatoes are evenly coated with the delicious seasoning. This initial step is crucial for building the foundational flavors.
2. Initial Roast on the Sheet Pan: Arrange the seasoned chicken and potatoes in a single layer on your prepared sheet pan. Ensure there’s enough space between the pieces to allow for proper air circulation, which is key to achieving crispy skin on the chicken and nicely browned potatoes. Roast in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. At this point, the chicken will begin to render its fat, and the potatoes will start to turn lightly golden and tender-crisp.
3. Prepare the Leeks: While the chicken and potatoes are getting their head start, prepare your leeks. Leeks can harbor a lot of dirt, so after chopping the white and light green parts into 1/2-inch thick rounds, wash them very well under cold running water. You might need to separate the rings to ensure all grit is removed. Once clean, pat them dry. In a small bowl, toss the cleaned leeks with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, half of the lemon zest, and a pinch of salt and pepper. The lemon zest will infuse the leeks with a bright, aromatic flavor as they roast.
4. Add Leeks to the Sheet Pan: Carefully remove the sheet pan from the oven. Give the partially roasted potatoes a gentle stir to ensure even browning. Then, scatter the seasoned leeks evenly over the chicken and potatoes, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Again, proper spacing is vital for roasting, not steaming.

   

5. Prepare the Creamy Garlic Dill Sauce: While the pan goes back into the oven, quickly prepare the creamy garlic dill sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the plain yogurt, minced garlic clove, the remaining lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and half of the fresh chopped dill. Season the sauce lightly with salt to taste. This vibrant, tangy sauce will be the perfect complement to the rich roasted components.
6. Finish Roasting Until Cooked Through: Return the sheet pan to the oven and continue roasting for another 25-35 minutes. The total roasting time may vary slightly depending on your oven and the size of your chicken pieces. The most accurate way to check for doneness is with an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a chicken thigh (avoiding the bone). It should register 160°F (71°C). Remember that the temperature will rise to the recommended 165°F (74°C) as the chicken rests for a few minutes outside the oven. The potatoes should be fork-tender and beautifully caramelized, and the leeks soft and slightly browned at the edges.

   

7. Serve with Fresh Arugula and Sauce: Once cooked, carefully remove the sheet pan from the oven. Divide the aromatic roasted chicken, potatoes, and leeks among serving plates. Alongside, place a generous handful of fresh arugula. Drizzle the creamy garlic dill sauce generously over the chicken and vegetables, and garnish with the remaining fresh dill for an extra burst of freshness. The heat from the roasted ingredients will slightly wilt the arugula, releasing its peppery essence.
8. Enjoy and Store Leftovers: Savor this wonderfully complete and satisfying meal! Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven until warmed through.

More Easy Sheet Pan Meals to Try

If you’ve fallen in love with the convenience and deliciousness of this one-pan wonder, you’ll be thrilled to know there are many more exciting sheet pan recipes waiting to be discovered. Here are some other fantastic ideas to keep your weeknight dinners exciting and mess-free:

• Sheet Pan Sausage and Potatoes: A hearty and comforting classic.
• Asian-Glazed Sheet-Pan Salmon and Broccoli: A quick, healthy, and flavorful option with a delightful glaze.
• Meatloaf and Potatoes Sheet Pan Dinner: A family favorite, reimagined for easy cleanup.

Get the Full Recipe Details

This recipe was originally published May 2015 and has been updated for clarity and enhanced instructions.