Are you ready to transform your kitchen into a haven of warmth and irresistible aromas? This One-Pan Autumn Warmer is not just a recipe—it's a comforting experience that will make your taste buds dance and your home feel like a cozy sanctuary. Imagine tender, crispy chicken, golden sweet potatoes, and vibrant spinach, all perfectly roasted in a single pan, delivering maximum flavor with minimal cleanup. Perfect for those chilly evenings when you crave something hearty, nutritious, and absolutely delicious!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs
Cuisine: Seasonal
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 400g chicken thighs
- 2 sweet potatoes, cubed
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 cups spinach
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Ensure the rack is positioned in the middle of the oven for even cooking.
- Prepare your ingredients by cutting chicken thighs into even-sized pieces, cubing sweet potatoes into roughly 2cm chunks, and thinly slicing the onion. Mince the garlic finely.
- In a large oven-safe skillet or cast-iron pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Sear chicken thighs skin-side down for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Flip and cook the other side for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove chicken from the pan and set aside. In the same pan, add sliced onions and cook until they become translucent and slightly caramelized.
- Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Add cubed sweet potatoes to the pan, stirring to coat with the remaining oil and onion mixture.
- Return chicken thighs to the pan, nestling them among the sweet potatoes. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven.
- Roast for 25-30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and sweet potatoes are tender. Internal chicken temperature should reach 74°C (165°F).
- In the final 2-3 minutes of cooking, scatter fresh spinach leaves over the top to wilt slightly.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. The dish will continue cooking slightly and juices will redistribute.
- Serve hot, directly from the pan, garnishing with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme if desired.
Tips
- Choose bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for maximum flavor and juiciness.
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure a crispy, golden-brown exterior.
- Use a cast-iron skillet or heavy oven-safe pan for the best heat distribution.
- Don't overcrowd the pan—this ensures vegetables roast instead of steaming.
- Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after cooking to allow juices to redistribute.
- For extra flavor, try adding fresh rosemary or thyme before roasting.
- Check chicken's internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure perfect doneness.
- Feel free to swap spinach with kale or Swiss chard for variety.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 22g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 110mg
