An easy, family-friendly meal: Sheet Pan Chicken and Sweet Potatoes — delicious, nutritious, and simple to make.
Baked Chicken with Sweet Potatoes
This sheet pan dinner is perfect when you want a fuss-free, nutritious, and satisfying meal. With a handful of pantry spices, chicken legs and sweet potatoes roast together into a flavorful, family-friendly dinner.
The method is simple: chop sweet potatoes, place them on a sheet pan with chicken legs and olive oil, toss with a quick homemade spice blend, then roast. The spices are chosen to add smoky, sweet, and savory notes without heat, so this is a kid-approved recipe that adults enjoy too.
My four-year-old declared the seasoned chicken “the best thing he ever had,” which is about as good an endorsement as you can get from a picky eater.
Ingredients
- Spices – Smoked paprika, ground coriander, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder. This mix brings a smoky, slightly sweet, savory profile. It’s inspired by a rib rub and adds depth without spicy heat.
- Sea salt – Use sea salt or kosher salt. If using table salt, reduce the amount by half.
- Sweet potatoes – A nutritious, versatile vegetable packed with potassium, fiber, and vitamins. I leave the skins on after a good scrub, but peel if you prefer.
- Chicken legs – Kid-favorite and ideal for this sheet pan dinner. You can substitute chicken thighs; they may need a few extra minutes to cook.
- Olive oil – Extra virgin olive oil works well for roasting and keeps the dish lighter.
Full ingredient quantities are listed in the recipe card below.
Pro Tip
This recipe is great for meal prep. After cooking and cooling, transfer chicken and sweet potatoes to airtight containers for easy reheating during the week.
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375° F.
2. In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, ground coriander, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and sea salt.
3. Cut sweet potatoes into large chunks.
4. Arrange the diced sweet potatoes and chicken legs on a sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat.
5. Sprinkle the seasoning over the chicken and potatoes and toss to distribute evenly. Arrange chicken among the potatoes so everything cooks evenly.
6. Roast for 30–35 minutes, or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 170º F. Let rest about 5 minutes before serving.
Note: Food safety guidelines list 165º F as the safe minimum for chicken, but dark meat often benefits from a slightly higher target for best texture and flavor (170–180º F).
Tips, Tricks and Questions
This seasoning pairs wonderfully with barbecue sauce. If your family likes dipping, serve a side of sauce or brush it on the chicken during the last 4–5 minutes of cooking so it can set.
The recipe is flexible: scale the amount of chicken or add vegetables like sliced onion or Brussels sprouts. Avoid overcrowding the sheet pan so everything roasts rather than steams.
If you like this Chicken Drumsticks Sheet Pan Dinner Recipe you might also like:
- Greek Marinated Grilled Chicken Drumsticks
- Easy Baked Honey Mustard Chicken Breasts
- Chicken Cordon Bleu Bake
- Baked Chicken Nuggets with Hidden Quinoa
- Sheet Pan Chicken with Spring Vegetables
- Sheet Pan Chicken Winter Dinner
- One Pan Fall Harvest Chicken Dinner
What to serve with this
Greek Yogurt Southwest Sauce
Fresh & Easy Tabbouleh Salad
Rice Pilaf with Cranberries
Lemon Whipped Greek Yogurt
Sheet Pan Chicken Legs and Sweet Potatoes
Simplicity and flavor combine in this easy sheet pan chicken with sweet potatoes. A simple seasoning blend transforms basic ingredients into a delicious weeknight meal.
5 minutes
35 minutes
40 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 3 large sweet potatoes, diced
- 8-10 chicken legs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375° F.
- In a small bowl, mix together the seasonings.
- Add potatoes and chicken to a sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat.
- Sprinkle the seasoning over the chicken and potatoes, toss to distribute, and arrange chicken between the potatoes.
- Bake 30–35 minutes, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 170º F. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
This seasoning pairs well with barbecue sauce; brush on during the last few minutes if desired. The recipe is adaptable—add extra vegetables but avoid overcrowding the pan. Chicken is safe at 165º F, but dark meat often tastes better between 170º–180º F.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
5
Serving Size:
2 chicken legs with 1/2 cup sweet potatoes
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 421
Total Fat: 52g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 33g
Cholesterol: 655mg
Sodium: 973mg
Carbohydrates: 23g
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 7g
Protein: 126g
Nutritional estimates may vary based on ingredient brands and substitutions.