This is the perfect effortless summer dinner. I know we all try to avoid using the oven in the summer, especially in August. But if you ask me, an effortless delicious sheet pan dinner is worth the heat. Whenever I’m creating recipes, I always try to think of the best way to make the recipe that will be simplest for you all at home. I’ve learned some tips on condensing and simplifying the cooking process that I think we can all appreciate. So here we go!
This recipe was created in a matter of minutes. Creighton sent me a text message that I should make a garlic buffalo chicken. The simple idea of adding garlic to already delicious buffalo sauce interested me. Sometimes simple additions can make a big impact on a dish. I already knew that the family loves my buffalo sauce. So I decided that garlic and honey could be really delicious additions. I wanted to keep the recipe quick and to make sure it required minimal effort. Baking everything all together on a sheet pan helps to achieve that.
The details
Step 1: the chicken You want to start with the chicken. Cubed raw chicken, breasts, or thighs, or use a mix of the two as I do. Then toss the cubed chicken with a mix of seasonings: smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Next, add flour, then toss again. The flour allows the chicken to crisp up in the oven. Not a fully breaded chicken, but breaded just enough so that the sauce can nicely stick to the chicken. It’s a small amount, so a very light coating, but just perfect. Bake the chicken up with a side of fresh garden/market zucchini. It takes maybe 20 minutes to cook.
Step 2: the sauce Now the sauce, hot sauce, Franks is my favorite. Add some salted butter and then chopped-up garlic, chipotle chili powder, onion powder, and garlic powder. Melt this all together on the stove until just combined and the garlic turns golden. Then, turn the heat off, mix in the honey, and season with salt and pepper. The addition of garlic, sizzled in butter makes such a difference. Adding garlic creates even more flavor. Then mixing in honey makes things even more special. The lightest bit of sweetness to balance the garlic and spice. Pour the sauce over the baked, crispy chicken and cook the chicken in the sauce. What happens is that the coating soaks up all the sauce – wow, so delish.
Step 3: the ranch – if you’d like The next step is optional, I make a creamy, cooling cilantro ranch dressing, It’s easy to do, just blend everything up until creamy! I use cilantro and basil, then all the usual ranch dressing ingredients. But my secret? I also mix in some crumbled blue cheese, so delicious. Step 4: serve I serve the chicken and zucchini over rice. Then add chunks of avocado and always some herbs – basil, cilantro, and or/green onions are great. The chicken, zucchini, and sauce are also yummy with a side of homemade fries. Your choice though, rice or fries – both are delish!
Looking for other quick dinner recipes? Here are a few. One Skillet Saucy Chicken Tortilla Enchilada Rice Bake Crockpot Crispy Chicken Tinga Tacos with Avocado Jalapeño Crema Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Salmon with Caesar Roasted Potatoes One Skillet Cheesy Green Chile Chicken 20 Minute Garlic Oil Schezwan Peanut Noodles Sheet Pan Chipotle Salmon Tacos with Pineapple Jalapeño Salsa Parchment Baked Roasted Red Pepper Salmon Coconut Curry Salmon with Garlic Butter Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken Pizza Spinach and Artichoke Stuffed Soft Pretzels Baked Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls with Cilantro Lime Ranch Buffalo Cauliflower with Spicy Tahini Ranch Lastly, if you make this Sheet Pan Hot Honey Garlic Chicken and Zucchini, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
