Sheet-Pan Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Vegetables

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This lemon-garlic chicken recipe is a protein-packed meal that’s perfect for cozy nights with family or friends. Using just one sheet pan, this dish combines tender, juicy chicken thighs with a medley of vegetables for an easy, complete dinner with minimal cleanup. The magic lies in the quick marinade—a zesty blend of buttermilk, honey and Dijon mustard—that infuses the chicken with flavor and helps it stay extra juicy during roasting.

an image of the Sheet-Pan Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Vegetables
Credit:

Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Active Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs 5 mins
Servings:
4
  • Using just one sheet pan means easy cleanup and a simple, complete dinner.
  • Carrots add antioxidants and vitamins A and C for immune support.
  • Choose bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for texture and flavor.

If you’re looking for an elevated weeknight dinner, this Sheet-Pan Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Vegetables is it. No dried-out chicken here! A buttermilk marinade helps the protein-packed chicken thighs maintain their natural juiciness, and spicy garlic and Dijon mustard balance the dish with sweet honey notes. Roasting fiber-filled carrots, broccolini and shallots deepens their earthy sweetness while providing a delightfully light char on the edges. A final drizzle of lemon-garlic dressing brightens the whole dish, and a sprinkling of fresh tarragon makes this dish next-level. Keep reading for our expert tips, including how to save on prep time. 

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • Allow the marinated chicken to stand at room temperature while the oven is preheating to help ensure the chicken cooks evenly.
  • When arranging the vegetables around the chicken, leave space between each piece. This will allow the vegetables to roast to a crisp-tender texture instead of becoming soft from overcrowded steaming.
  • Cut the vegetables into similar-size pieces to help ensure they cook at the same rate.
  • Choose bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for added texture and flavor. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Nutrition Notes

  • Chicken thighs are a great protein source and provide other necessary nutrients like vitamin B12 and zinc. Zinc supports your immune system to help knock illness out of your body more quickly.
  • Carrots not only bring gorgeous color to this dish but also antioxidants and vitamins A and C—which, like zinc, provide essential support for your immune system. 
  • Broccolini is a cruciferous vegetable that is a hybrid between broccoli and Chinese broccoli. This means it’s got similar nutrient qualities to broccoli and other cruciferous veggies, including compounds that support your immune system and may help prevent cancer when eaten regularly.
  • Shallots round out the immune-supporting nutrients in this dish by adding their own vitamins C and A. They, like the carrots and broccolini, also bring gut-loving fiber to this dish.
an image of the ingredients to make the Sheet-Pan Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Vegetables

Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 1 cup low-fat buttermilk

  • 2 tablespoons honey plus ¼ teaspoon, divided

  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, divided

  • 6 medium cloves garlic, grated (2 teaspoons), divided

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs

  • 4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced diagonally (¼-inch; cups)

  • 1 (8-ounce) bunch broccolini, stems chopped and florets halved lengthwise ( cups stems, 3 cups florets)

  • 3 large shallots, peeled and cut into wedges (½-inch; about 2 cups)

  • 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

  • 1 teaspoon ground pepper, divided

  • ¾ teaspoon salt plus teaspoon, divided

  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon

  • Lemon wedges for serving (optional)

Directions

  1. Whisk 1 cup buttermilk, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 teaspoon mustard and 1½ teaspoons garlic together in a medium bowl. Add chicken; turn to coat, fully submerging in the buttermilk mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 8 hours).

    an image of the chicken in the buttermilk marinade

    Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

  2. Preheat oven to 450°F. Coat a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let stand in the marinade, still covered, at room temperature. Place carrots, broccolini and shallots in a large bowl. Add 2 tablespoons oil, ¾ teaspoon pepper and ¼ teaspoon salt; toss to coat.

    an image of the vegetables tossed with oil and seasonings

    Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

  3. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off; discard remaining marinade. Place the chicken, skinned-side up, on the prepared baking sheet; pat dry with paper towels. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt. Scatter the vegetables around the chicken. Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest portion of chicken registers 165°F, 30 to 35 minutes. Let rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.

    an image of the chicken and vegetables on a sheet pan

    Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

  4. Meanwhile, whisk 2 tablespoons lemon juice and the remaining 1 teaspoon mustard, ½ teaspoon garlic, ¼ teaspoon honey and ⅛ teaspoon salt together in a small bowl. Whisk in the remaining 2 tablespoons oil until smooth.

  5. Drizzle the chicken and vegetables with the lemon mixture; sprinkle with 1 tablespoon tarragon and 1 teaspoon lemon zest. Serve with lemon wedges, if desired.

    an image of the lemon and mustard sauce being drizzled over the chicken and vegetables

    Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What if I don’t have buttermilk on hand?

    You can easily create a buttermilk substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of milk. Let it stand for about 3 minutes; when you see the liquid curdling, it’s ready to use.

  • Why do I have to throw out the marinade?

    Any marinade mixed with raw meat should be discarded because it may contain bacteria. Dispose of any remaining marinade in the sink. If you want to use the marinade as a sauce, set some aside in a separate container before adding the raw chicken to the remaining marinade.

  • How should I store and reheat leftovers?

    Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. You can reheat everything in an air fryer or a skillet, but if you’ve got a lot of leftovers, the oven is the best option. Place them on a sheet pan, cover loosely with foil and heat in a 350°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes. You don’t want the chicken to dry out, so test it with an instant-read thermometer after about 15 minutes. If it’s reached an internal temperature of 165°F, it’s ready to be served.

  • What should I serve with Lemon-Garlic Chicken?

    This recipe covers the chicken and the vegetables, but you could add a grain or potato to round out the meal. Try one of our favorite recipes: Wild Rice Pilaf, Garlic-Rosemary Smashed Potatoes or Basic Quinoa.

Recipe developed by Marianne Williams

EatingWell.com, March 2025

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

431 Calories
26g Fat
21g Carbs
31g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 1 thigh, 1 cup vegetables & 1 Tbsp. dressing
Calories 431
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 21g 8%
Dietary Fiber 5g 17%
Total Sugars 10g
Added Sugars 3g 6%
Protein 31g 62%
Total Fat 26g 34%
Saturated Fat 5g 26%
Cholesterol 139mg 46%
Vitamin A 434µg
Vitamin C 40mg 44%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 4mg 25%
Folate 89µg
Vitamin K 86µg
Sodium 805mg 35%
Calcium 116mg 9%
Iron 3mg 14%
Magnesium 60mg 14%
Potassium 822mg 17%
Zinc 3mg 26%
Vitamin B12 0µg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Carrie Myers, M.S.
Carrie Myers
Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic.
and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.