Easy One-Pan Roasted Chicken and Potatoes

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5 from 3 votes

This roasted chicken and potatoes is one of those easy dinners I come back to again and again. Everything cooks together in one pan: juicy chicken thighs and drumsticks, golden potatoes, onions, garlic and plenty of herbs and spices.

One pan roasted chicken legs and thighs with golden-brown potato wedges, onion slices, and sprigs of fresh rosemary, all cooked together in a baking dish.

When you’re craving a cozy, high-protein dinner but don’t have much energy to spare, this easy one-pan recipe for roasted chicken thighs and potatoes is the ideal solution. Simply toss chicken leg pieces and cubed potatoes in a yummy spice mix, then let the oven do the rest of the work. You’ll be rewarded with perfectly juicy meat and fluffy taters that taste like they took hours to make, but all in, you’re looking at just 15 minutes of super easy prep.

For more easy one-pot chicken recipes, check out my one pot chicken and rice with vegetables, one pot chicken quinoa, and one pot chicken bulgur next!

I originally published this recipe in 2019 and have since updated it with new photos, improved instructions, and extra success tips.

Why You’ll Love One Pan Chicken and Potatoes

Sheet pan roasted chicken and golden potatoes, onions, and sprigs of rosemary on a white plate. The chicken skin is crispy and browned, and the potatoes look tender and seasoned.
  • Tried & Tested – The original video for this recipe has more than 1.2 million views and 17,000 likes, making it one of my longtime reader and viewer favorites.
  • Quick & Easy – With just 15 minutes of hands-on prep and simple pantry-staple seasonings, this is the kind of recipe you can throw together on even your busiest weeknights. No fancy techniques, no babysitting the stove. Just toss, roast, and enjoy!
  • Customizable – Swap in your favorite veggies, switch up the spice blend, or use a different cut of chicken. This roasted chicken and potatoes recipe is endlessly adaptable to whatever you have on hand or whatever flavors you’re craving.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Raw chicken pieces, whole potatoes, an onion, garlic, rosemary sprigs, and small bowls of olive oil, dried oregano, dried thyme, paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper on a white surface.
  • Chicken Thighs & Drumsticks – Go for bone-in, skin-on pieces here. They stay so much juicier in the oven and the skin gets wonderfully crispy. Boneless will work in a pinch, but keep an eye on the cook time since they’ll cook faster.
  • Potatoes – Cut into quarters or roughly 1½-inch (4cm) pieces so they cook evenly alongside the chicken. Any all-purpose or waxy potato variety like Yukon gold, red, or fingerling are all great choices.
  • Onion – Cut into large chunks so it roasts alongside everything else without turning to mush. Yellow or red onion both work beautifully.
  • Garlic – Keep the cloves unpeeled and just toss them in whole—roasting them in their skins makes them soft, sweet, and spreadable, plus it saves you the peeling step.
  • Olive Oil – This helps everything crisp up and get that gorgeous golden color. Any neutral or light oil will work if that’s what you have on hand.
  • Dried Oregano & Dried Thyme – These two herbs bring a warm, earthy backbone to the seasoning. Feel free to swap in Italian seasoning if that’s easier.
  • Paprika & Cumin – Paprika adds color and a subtle smokiness, while cumin brings a little warmth. Smoked paprika is a great swap if you want even more depth.
  • Garlic Powder – Adds another layer of savory flavor to complement the fresh roasted garlic.
  • Fresh Rosemary – This adds a fragrant, slightly piney note that pairs perfectly with roasted chicken and potatoes. Dried rosemary works too, but it’s decidedly sharper and pointier than the fresh kind. Just use about a third of the amount and lightly grind it between your palms.
  • Salt & Black Pepper – Freshly ground pepper makes a real difference in flavor, so skip the pre-ground stuff if you can. Season generously since potatoes especially need a good amount of salt to shine.

This is just a short review of the ingredients; for the complete recipe, including quantities, scroll down to the recipe card 👇

Best Pieces of Chicken for Oven Roasting

When it comes to roasting chicken in the oven, bone-in, skin-on pieces are the way to go. The bone helps keep the meat moist and full of flavor as it cooks, while the skin crisps up beautifully and locks in juiciness. Boneless, skinless cuts simply can’t compete here; they tend to dry out much faster in the high heat of the oven.

Thighs and drumsticks (as used in this recipe) are especially forgiving for roasting. They have more fat and connective tissue than chicken breast, which means they stay tender and juicy even if they spend a few extra minutes in the oven. That makes them perfect for a busy weeknight when timing isn’t always exact. Chicken breasts, on the other hand, can turn tough and stringy if overcooked even slightly, making them a riskier choice for one-pan cooking.

If you’d like to mix things up, bone-in, skin-on chicken wings or a whole cut-up chicken also work wonderfully in this recipe. In fact, you don’t need to buy pre-cut pieces at all. Buying a whole chicken and cutting it up yourself is a great (and often more budget-friendly) option. Simply break it down into thighs, drumsticks, wings, and breast pieces before seasoning and roasting. 

Whichever pieces you choose, try to keep them similar in size so everything cooks evenly. And don’t skip the skin—it’s key to getting that gorgeous golden, crispy exterior.

How to Make One Pan Roasted Chicken with Potatoes

Step 1: Marinate. Start by patting the chicken really dry with paper towels. (This helps get that crispy skin later on.) In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil and all the seasonings. Add the chicken and toss until every piece is well coated. Cover and pop it in the fridge for at least 1 hour; if you have the time, letting it marinate overnight will give you even more flavor (plus make dinner tomorrow extra easy!).

Olive oil is being poured over quartered yellow potatoes and rosemary sprigs in a clear glass bowl, with a wooden surface in the background.

Step 2: Potato Prep. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Add the potatoes to a large roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt, and add the leaves from one rosemary sprig. Toss everything together until well coated.

Raw chicken pieces, halved potatoes, onion slices, and herbs are arranged in a metal roasting pan, ready to be cooked.

Step 3: Assemble. Spread the potatoes out in a single, even layer. Scatter the onion chunks and unpeeled garlic cloves over and around them, then nestle the marinated chicken pieces in between, skin-side up so they get nice and crispy. Finish by scattering the remaining rosemary over the whole pan.

Chicken pieces, potatoes, and onions roasting in a metal baking tray inside an oven. The food is seasoned and partially browned, with steam visible on the oven door.

Step 4: Roast. Slide the pan into the oven and roast for 50–60 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the chicken is deeply golden and cooked through and the potatoes are tender and browned at the edges. For best results, check that the thickest part of the chicken reaches at least 165°F (74°C).

Step 5: Serve. Let everything rest for 5 minutes to help the juices settle back into the chicken. Then dig in and serve warm, along with all those delicious roasted potatoes, onions, and garlic. (Once cooked, squeeze the soft roasted garlic from the skins and serve alongside the chicken.)


Video Recipe

Watch the full video to learn how to make the BEST sheet pan chicken and potatoes recipe.

Prefer the written recipe? Scroll down to the recipe box 👇


Recipe Variations & Substitutions

  • White Meat Chicken – If you’d rather use chicken breasts or a whole cut-up chicken, that works too—just keep an eye on the cooking time, since breasts can cook faster and dry out if left in too long.
  • Sweet Potato Swap – If you’d like a bit more color on the plate, try swapping in sweet potatoes for regular. 
  • Add Extra Veggies – Feel free to bulk up the pan with extra vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, or Brussels sprouts. Just cut them into similar-sized pieces so everything roasts evenly, and add heartier veggies at the start alongside the potatoes.

Expert Tips for the Best Roasted Chicken and Potatoes

  • Dry chicken = crispy skin. Don’t skip patting the chicken dry before marinating. Any extra moisture on the skin will steam instead of crisp up in the oven, so this small step makes a big difference.
  • Give it time to marinate. Even 30 minutes helps, but letting the chicken sit in the marinade overnight really lets those flavors soak in and deepens the overall taste.
  • Cut potatoes evenly. Try to keep your potato pieces similar in size so they all cook at the same rate. Uneven pieces mean some will be mushy while others are still firm.
  • Use a meat thermometer. The best way to know your chicken is perfectly cooked (and not over or under) is to check the thickest part with a meat thermometer. Look for at least 165°F (74°C).
  • Don’t overcrowd the pan. Give the chicken and potatoes enough space so they roast and brown instead of steaming. If you’re making this as sheet pan chicken and potatoes, use a large rimmed baking sheet with plenty of room between the pieces.
  • Let it rest. Resist the urge to dig in right away. Letting the chicken rest for a few minutes after roasting helps the juices redistribute, keeping every bite moist.
  • Roast the garlic for a treat. Don’t skip the unpeeled garlic cloves. Once roasted, they turn soft, sweet, and spreadable, almost like a treat on their own. Squeeze them right out of their skins and spread onto the chicken or potatoes for extra flavor.
  • No time to marinate? You can roast the chicken immediately. It will still be delicious, although the seasoning won’t penetrate quite as deeply.

What to Serve with Roasted Chicken Thighs and Potatoes

Since the chicken and potatoes already make a hearty meal, I like to keep the sides fresh and simple. A Greek salad, creamy cucumber salad, or crunchy celery cucumber salad would all pair really well with it.

You can also serve it with my Green Goddess salad or keep things even simpler with some steamed or roasted broccoli, green beans, or asparagus on the side.

Storage, Feezing & Reheating

  • Refrigeration: Store any leftover roasted chicken and potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For best texture, try to store the chicken and potatoes separately, though it’s perfectly fine to keep them together if you’re short on containers.
  • Freezing: This dish freezes well for up to 2-3 months. Let everything cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. Keep in mind that the potatoes may soften slightly in texture once thawed, but the flavor will still be great.
  • Reheating: For the best results, reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes to help the chicken skin regain some crispiness. If you’re in a hurry, the microwave works too, though the skin won’t be as crisp. If reheating from frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight first for more even heating. 
Roasted chicken drumsticks and thighs with golden potatoes, onions, and sprigs of rosemary in a baking tray.
Easy one-pan roasted chicken drumsticks and thighs with golden potato wedges, onion slices, and sprigs of rosemary, all baked and seasoned, arranged closely together.

Roasted Chicken and Potatoes

Easy roasted chicken with potatoes made in one pan with crispy skin, juicy chicken, golden potatoes and simple seasonings.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
DIFFICULTY Easy
Course dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Mediterranean
Servings 5
Calories 553 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 2 pounds (900 g) Chicken thighs and drumsticks bone-in, skin-on
  • 2 pounds (900 g) Potatoes cut into quarters or 1½-inch (4cm) pieces
  • 1 large Onion cut into large chunks
  • 5-6 cloves Garlic unpeeled
  • 5 tablespoons Olive oil divided
  • 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon Dried thyme
  • teaspoons Paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon Cumin
  • 1 teaspoon Salt or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Black pepper freshly ground
  • 2 springs Rosemary Fresh

Instructions
 

  • Marinate the chicken: Pat the chicken dry thoroughly with paper towels. In a large bowl, combine 3 tablespoons olive oil, oregano, thyme, paprika, garlic powder, cumin, 1 teaspoon salt and black pepper. Add the chicken and toss until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight.
  • Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
  • Prepare the potatoes: Place potatoes in a large roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt and leaves from 1 rosemary sprig. Toss well to coat.
  • Assemble: Arrange the potatoes in a single layer. Add the onion and unpeeled garlic cloves, then arrange the chicken between the potatoes, skin-side up. Scatter the remaining rosemary over the pan.
  • Roast: Roast for 50–60 minutes, or until the chicken is deeply golden and cooked through and the potatoes are tender and browned. The thickest part of the chicken should register at least 165°F (74°C).
  • Serve: Let rest for 5 minutes, then serve warm with the roasted potatoes, onions and garlic.

Video

Notes

  • Best potatoes: Yukon Gold, red potatoes or other roasting potatoes work especially well because they become creamy inside while browning nicely.
  • Cut evenly: Keep the potato pieces roughly the same size so they cook at the same rate. If using very large potatoes, cut them into smaller chunks rather than simply quartering them.
  • Garlic: Roasting the cloves in their skins keeps them from burning. Once cooked, squeeze the soft roasted garlic from the skins and serve alongside the chicken.
  • Marinating: One hour adds good flavor, but you can marinate the chicken overnight for an easy make-ahead dinner.
  • No time to marinate? You can roast the chicken immediately. It will still be delicious, although the seasoning won’t penetrate quite as deeply.

Nutrition

Calories: 553kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 27gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 93mgSodium: 1031mgPotassium: 1088mgFiber: 5gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 502IUVitamin C: 41mgCalcium: 67mgIron: 4mg
Nutrition information is automatically generated and thus we can not guarantee it is 100% accurate.
Keyword Chicken, comfort food, one-pan, roasted

FAQs

Can you roast chicken and potatoes together?

Yes, absolutely! It’s actually one of the best ways to cook them, since the potatoes soak up the flavorful drippings from the chicken as it roasts, and you get a complete meal on a single pan.

Can I put raw chicken in the oven with potatoes?

Yes, that’s exactly how this recipe works. Raw chicken and raw potatoes go into the oven together on the same pan, and they roast at the same time until both are fully cooked. Easy, peasy!

Should you cover chicken and potatoes when baking in the oven?

No, it’s best to leave them uncovered. Roasting uncovered lets the oven’s dry heat crisp up the chicken skin and brown the potatoes. If you cover the pan, the trapped steam will make everything soggy instead. However, if the skin or the potatoes are browning too quickly or becoming too dark, you can lightly tent a piece of foil over the burning spots to protect them.

What temperature is best for roasting chicken and potatoes?

For this recipe, I recommend roasting the chicken and potatoes at 425°F (220°C). The high heat helps crisp the chicken skin and brown the potatoes while giving the bone-in chicken enough time to cook through. For best results, check that the thickest part of the chicken reaches at least 165°F (74°C).

5 from 3 votes

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12 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This was utterly delicious and so simple to prepare. I only had skinless boneless chicken breasts, so I didn’t get as much “juice” as I otherwise would have. I just added a bit of extra butter to make up for the missing fat, and it worked. This blend of spices was a bit different for me… I wouldn’t have normally expected that cumin would be used, but I tried your seasoning mix just as written, and the taste was wonderful. Roasting the garlic cloves in their skins was also a new twist for me. I always learn something new from you, David! Thank you for another great meal… this one will be a regular rotation for my house.

    September 17, 2026
    1. Thank you so much, Dana! I’m really glad you enjoyed it.

      September 17, 2026
  2. Rita Scott says:

    5 stars
    Our family has enjoyed this meal several times. It is really tasty & easy to make. I appreciate the one pan for easy & quick clean up. Thank you for sharing this & many recipes.

    February 27, 2026
  3. 5 stars
    Made it this afternoon for my family – absolutely loved it!

    July 31, 2025
  4. All I have is skinless boneless chicken thighs.can i still follow this recipe?

    February 27, 2021
  5. Patricia King says:

    Lemon juice is on the list of ingredients but is not listed in the directions. Where do I add the lemon juice?

    January 13, 2021
  6. What can I sub for Cumin?

    October 19, 2020
    1. The Cooking Foodie says:

      You can use any seasoning that you like.

      October 20, 2020
      1. Thank you. 🙂

        October 21, 2020
  7. When does the lemon get added

    October 8, 2020
  8. April Johnson says:

    This was the best chicken dinner we ever ate!
    I followed the recipe to the letter and my husband who always moans if I mention chicken that isn’t fried, loved it! The potatoes were so good it was amazing. It was very juicy and tender and made delicious gravy. I would post pictures if I knew how.

    May 10, 2020
  9. Jesica Mendoza says:

    So yummy. It’s my first baking spree but I felt like a pro.

    February 14, 2020