This baked chicken and vegetables recipe is a one-pan weeknight favorite. Roasted butternut squash, mushrooms, onions, and juicy chicken tenders come together with a hot honey chimichurri glaze.
Add the butternut squash, mushrooms, and onion to a 9x13-inch baking dish or rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the vegetables, then sprinkle with half of the spice mixture. Toss to coat evenly.
Add the chicken tenders to the pan, then season both sides with the remaining oil and spice mixture.
1½ pounds raw chicken tenders
Roast for 10 minutes, then add the tomato halves and season with a pinch of salt. Return to the oven and roast for another 8-10 minutes, until the squash is fork-tender.
4 Campari or cocktail tomatoes
Switch the oven to broil on high. Broil for 4-6 minutes, checking and rotating the pan as needed, until the top is browned and the chicken reaches 165°F.
For the Hot Honey Chimichurri (Optional)
While the dish roasts, make the chimichurri. In a small bowl, combine the parsley, cilantro, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, hot honey, red pepper flakes, and salt. Stir until well mixed.
¼ cup minced fresh parsley leaves and stems, ¼ cup minced fresh cilantro leaves and stems, 3 cloves garlic, ⅓ cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon hot honey, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
Let the pan rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven. Spoon the hot honey chimichurri over the chicken and vegetables before serving.
Notes
*If you’re missing smoked paprika, substitute with chili powder or a small dash of liquid smoke.**You can swap with diced sweet potato, delicata squash, or carrots for a similar texture and sweetness.***Cremini, button, or baby bella varieties all work well. If skipping mushrooms, add extra onion or a handful of quartered zucchini for moisture balance.****If you can’t find tenders, slice chicken breasts into strips of similar size so they cook at the same rate. Strips of chicken thigh also work well if you prefer richer flavor; just add about 5 minutes to the roasting time.*****You can use regular honey and a pinch of chili flakes if you don’t have hot honey.Tips:
Choose squash that feels heavy for its size and has a matte (not glossy) skin.
Make sure the cubes are no larger than ½ inch, or they won’t cook through by the time the chicken is done.
You can use pre-cut butternut squash cubes from the grocery store produce section to save prep time.
A ceramic or metal dish works best for roasting. I used a 9x13, but a regular baking sheet is also great (just make sure it's rimmed!) If using glass, increase the roasting time by 3-5 minutes.
Line the baking pan with foil or parchment for easy cleanup!
Make sure the oven is truly at 425°F before adding the pan. If the oven isn’t hot enough, the food will steam instead of roast and won’t brown properly.
Placing the rack in the top third of the oven positions the pan closer to the broiler for a browned top.
Wait to add the tomatoes until everything is partially baked so they don't overcook and their juices can help create a lovely glaze.
If you don’t have a broiler, increase the oven temperature to 475°F and roast for an additional 5-7 minutes, checking often for color.
Let the pan rest for 5 minutes before adding the chimichurri so the residual heat doesn’t wilt the fresh herbs or dull their color. The short rest also lets juices redistribute and flavors settle.
It’s best to mince the herbs for the chimichurri by hand for texture and flavor. A small food processor can be used, but it tends to crush the herbs and make the sauce slightly gummy. Stirring by hand keeps the oil and vinegar suspended in small pockets that coat the food beautifully.
If you’re out of fresh parsley or cilantro, use 1 tablespoon dried herbs instead--just know the flavor will be a bit more muted.
Serve warm, straight from the pan, with a generous spoonful of hot honey chimichurri drizzled over top.
It pairs well with couscous, rice, quinoa, or crusty bread to soak up the juices.
Make-Ahead: You can prepare the spice blend and chop all vegetables up to a day ahead. The chimichurri can be made 2-3 days in advance and stored in the fridge; bring it to room temperature before serving. For quick weeknight prep, assemble the pan up to the point of roasting and refrigerate for up to 8 hours before cooking.Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.