This easy Hairy Bikers Chicken Tray Bake is the perfect one-pan wonder for a delicious, no-fuss meal. This simple recipe is made with juicy chicken thighs, new potatoes, zesty lemon, fragrant rosemary, and sweet bell peppers. The result is a vibrant, savory, and incredibly flavorful dish where the chicken is tender and the vegetables are perfectly roasted. Ideal for a busy weeknight dinner, this recipe serves four people and is a fantastic, light meal to enjoy on a warm summer evening.
Hairy Bikers Chicken Tray Bake Ingredients
- 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 750g new potatoes, halved or quartered if large
- 2 large bell peppers (any colour), deseeded and cut into chunks
- 1 large red onion, cut into wedges
- 2 lemons
- 4 cloves garlic, unpeeled and lightly crushed
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
How To Make Hairy Bikers Chicken Tray Bake
- Preheat the oven and prepare the vegetables: Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C Fan, Gas Mark 6). Place the new potatoes, bell peppers, and red onion wedges onto a large roasting tray.
- Add flavourings: Squeeze the juice of one lemon over the vegetables. Add the crushed garlic cloves and the rosemary sprigs to the tray. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and toss everything together with your hands to coat. Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Arrange the chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with kitchen paper. Rub the remaining tablespoon of olive oil all over the chicken skin and season well with salt and pepper. Arrange the chicken thighs on top of the vegetables in the roasting tray.
- Prepare the second lemon: Cut the second lemon into wedges and tuck them in and around the chicken and vegetables on the tray.
- Roast the tray bake: Place the tray in the preheated oven and roast for 45-55 minutes. The chicken should be cooked through with golden, crispy skin, and the potatoes should be tender and lightly browned.
- Rest and serve: Once cooked, remove the tray from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. You can serve it directly from the tray for a rustic family meal.
Recipe Tips
- Use bone-in, skin-on chicken: This is key for the best flavour and texture. The bone helps keep the meat moist and juicy, while the skin becomes wonderfully crispy during roasting.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Use a large roasting tray to ensure all the ingredients are in a single layer. This allows everything to roast properly and get golden brown, rather than steaming.
- Dry the chicken skin: Patting the chicken skin dry with kitchen paper before oiling and seasoning is the secret to achieving an extra-crispy result.
- The roasted lemon is key: As the lemon wedges roast, they become sweet and caramelised. Squeezing their juice over the chicken just before serving adds an amazing final burst of flavour.
What To Serve Chicken Tray Bake
This Hairy Bikers Chicken Tray Bake is a fantastic all-in-one meal, so it doesn’t need much on the side. However, a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette or some steamed green beans would be a perfect fresh accompaniment. For a heartier meal, you could also serve it with a chunk of crusty bread to mop up the delicious pan juices.
How To Store Chicken Tray Bake Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Cool any leftovers completely and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Freeze: Freezing is not recommended for this dish as the texture of the roasted potatoes and vegetables can become watery and soft upon thawing. It’s best enjoyed fresh or as refrigerated leftovers. Reheat in an oven at 180°C for 15-20 minutes until hot and the chicken skin has re-crisped.
Hairy Bikers Chicken Tray Bake Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 portion (approx. 1/4 of the recipe)
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Total Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Cholesterol: 180mg
- Sodium: 400mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 40g
- Dietary Fiber: 8g
- Sugars: 10g
- Protein: 45g
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs? Yes, you can use chicken breasts, but they have less fat and can dry out more easily. You would need to reduce the cooking time to around 25-30 minutes, adding them to the tray after the vegetables have already had about 20 minutes of cooking time.
- Can I add other vegetables to the tray bake? Absolutely! This recipe is very versatile. Courgettes, chorizo, cherry tomatoes, or root vegetables like parsnips and sweet potatoes would all be delicious additions. Just be mindful that different vegetables may have different cooking times.
- How do I know when the chicken is cooked? The chicken is cooked when the juices run clear if you pierce the thickest part of the thigh with a skewer. Alternatively, a meat thermometer should read at least 74°C (165°F).
- Can I prepare this dish ahead of time? You can chop all the vegetables and store them in an airtight container in the fridge a day in advance. However, for the best result, it’s best to assemble and roast the tray bake just before you plan to eat.
Try More Recipes:
- Hairy Bikers Kedgeree Recipe
- Hairy Bikers Chicken and Dumplings Casserole Recipe
- Hairy Bikers Old-Fashioned Chicken Casserole Recipe
Hairy Bikers Chicken Tray Bake Recipe
Description
An easy and delicious Hairy Bikers Chicken Tray Bake recipe. This one-pan meal features juicy, skin-on chicken thighs roasted with new potatoes, peppers, lemon, and rosemary for a flavour-packed dinner with minimal washing up.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prepare the tray: Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C Fan). On a large roasting tray, toss the potatoes, peppers, and onion with the juice of 1 lemon, garlic, rosemary, 2 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Add the chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry, rub with the remaining oil, and season. Arrange them on top of the vegetables.
- Roast: Cut the second lemon into wedges and tuck them around the chicken. Roast for 45-55 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the skin is crispy.
- Rest and serve: Let the tray bake rest for 5 minutes before serving.
