Sheet Pan Chicken and Plums

I love sheet pan meals. There’s something about being able to toss everything together and pop it in the oven that makes it ideal for weeknight cooking. Sheet Pan Chicken and Plums might look like you spent all day in the kitchen but with a few fresh ingredients is an easy meal.

What are your go to weeknight dinners? With one sheet pan, a handful of ingredients, and less than an hour of roasting, this colorful and fresh meal is sure to become a family favorite.

Weeknight Made Easy

We all want to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with our families. Sheet Pan Chicken and Plums takes the stress out of both cooking and cleanup.

Everyday life can be hectic. With jobs, kids in school, after school activities, and just the everyday hustle and bustle it’s nice to have easy recipes to fall back onto. However when my family gathers around the table I want to feel good about serving them something both healthy and delicious. This dinner checks all the boxes.

Roast chicken is just one of those true comfort foods. Crispy skin, juicy meat, and a pile of aromatics basking in the drippings always creates magic.

For this recipe I am using chicken thighs. Chicken thighs not only are an affordable option, they’re perfect for roasting at a high temperature as they remain tender and juicy. The chicken is allowed to marinate briefly in whole grain mustard for that irresistible tang that compliments the sweet plums.

Fresh plums roast along with sweet and savory red onions that are seasoned with the warmth of allspice. Woodsy rosemary adds both an herbaceous pop while also perfuming everything. The plums become a little sticky as their sweetness intensifies mingling with the caramelized onions.

Ingredients for Sheet Pan Chicken and Plums

• Chicken pieces — Chicken thighs are highly recommended for their juicy, tender results when roasting at high heat.
• Plums, halved — They caramelize beautifully in the oven, releasing their sweet juice into the pan.
• Red onion — Use one medium red onion, sliced, for sweetness and depth as it roasts alongside the plums.
• Fresh rosemary — Strip and chop the leaves; woodsy and aromatic, it perfumes the whole pan.
• Whole grain mustard — Gives the chicken an irresistible tang and helps it marinate beautifully.
• Kosher salt and black pepper — Season generously with kosher salt and black pepper at every step for the best flavor.
• Extra-virgin olive oil — Use extra-virgin olive oil to help the skin crisp up and the plum mixture caramelize.
• Allspice — The warm spice that ties all the sweet and savory elements together.

Dinner Done with Sheet Pan Chicken and Plums

With just a little chopping at the front end, this dinner couldn’t be easier! Get out your sheet pan and I will take you step by step.

• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Everything roasts at a high temperature giving the chicken that crispy skin while locking in all the juiciness.

• While your oven is preheating, toss your chicken with salt, pepper, and the whole grain mustard. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes.

• In another bowl mix together your onions, plums, salt and pepper, allspice, rosemary, and a drizzle of olive oil.

• Position your chicken on the baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes.

• After 30 minutes add your plums and onions to the baking sheet, along with additional rosemary. Roast for another 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165.

• Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or polenta for a complete meal.

Are you looking for more easy weeknight meals? Make sure you check out my recipe for Cheesy Baked Spaghetti Squash.

Variations

• Chicken breast — Breasts work well here too; just check doneness earlier as they cook faster than thighs.
• Marinate overnight — Pop the chicken in the fridge overnight for a deeper flavor.
• Add vegetables — Toss in any roasted vegetables like carrots or zucchini for a heartier sheet pan meal.
• Serve over couscous — Couscous soaks up all the roasting juice and spice-laced drippings beautifully.
• Add shallots — A couple of halved shallots alongside the medium red onion add extra sweetness to the plum mixture.
• Deglaze the pan — Splash 2 tablespoons water or chicken broth into the bottom of the pan for a light, glossy pan sauce to spoon over your chicken pieces.
• Fresh thyme sprigs — adds a delicate herbal layer alongside the rosemary.

How to Store Sheet Pan Chicken and Plums

Leftovers store beautifully, making this dish just as enjoyable the next day. Allow the chicken and plum mixture to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen overnight, so don’t be surprised if it tastes even better the second day!

To reheat, place the chicken pieces back in the oven at 350°F for 10–15 minutes, spooning any collected juice from the bottom of the pan back over the top to keep everything moist and flavorful. You can also reheat in the microwave for 2–3 minutes if you’re short on time.

For longer storage, freeze the cooled chicken pieces and plum mixture together in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating in the oven for best results.