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This simple Sheet Pan Hot Honey Garlic Chicken and Zucchini is about to become your new go-to meal. Easy homemade, crispy chicken, tossed in a spicy-sweet hot honey garlic sauce. Serve with summer zucchini cooked up right alongside the chicken and top with your favorite creamy dressing. The easiest sheet pan dinner. Add a side of rice or homemade french fries and you’ve got all you need! This fun restaurant-style dinner is great any night of the week!
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!
Sheet Pan Hot Honey Garlic Chicken and Zucchini
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 492 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breasts or thighs, cut into cubes
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour or use gluten-free
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 zucchini/yellow summer squash, sliced
- 1/2 cup hot sauce
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 4-6 cloves garlic, chopped
- 3/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- 1-2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup honey
- blue cheese or ranch dressing, for serving
- avocado, basil, sliced green onions, for serving
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 450° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or rub with oil.2. On the sheet pan, toss together the chicken, paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add the flour and toss again. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, tossing to coat. Arrange the chicken to one side of the baking sheet. Add the zucchini to the other side. Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Bake 15-20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.3. Meanwhile, make the sauce. In a saucepan set over medium heat, melt together the hot sauce, butter, garlic, chipotle chili powder and cayenne. Stir until melted and combined. Remove from the heat and mix in the honey and a season with salt.4. Pour the buffalo sauce over the chicken, toss the chicken up in the sauce. Bake another 5 minutes, until the hot honey sauce is baked onto the chicken.5. Serve the chicken, zucchini, and hot honey with chunks of avocado, basil, green onions and blue cheese or ranch dressing. I love this over rice, but it's also great with french fries too!
Notes
Creamy Cilantro-Basil Ranch: In a blender, blend 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream, 1/3 cup mayo, 2 tablespoons buttermilk, 1 cup fresh cilantro, 1/2 cup fresh basil, 1/4 cup fresh chopped chives, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne, and a pinch each of kosher salt and black pepper. Blend until creamy.
Terribly hot hot hot. Not appealing at all and way too much butter.
Hi there! We love your recipes! We’ve made this before and love it. I’m wondering what you would suggest to make this ahead of time. Would it be possible to read the chicken and freeze it? Thanks!
Hi Erin,
So glad to hear you have enjoyed this recipe in the past! Sure, I think freezing the chicken would be just fine for you to do! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
This was delicious, I like the amount of heat in this recipe. Super easy to make
Hi Tara,
I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it and sharing your review:) xT
Came together super quickly and was really delicious! I was surprised how well the chicken crisped! Thank you!!
Hey there,
I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it and sharing your review:) xT
Be sure you check the temperature of the parchment paper, most have a max of 425 degrees
Thanks for this reminder, Rachel!
I used Cajun seasoning instead of the dry mix – easy and delicious
Hi there,
Happy Friday!! Thanks so much for trying this recipe and sharing your review, so glad it was a hit! xT
We have dreams about this recipe it’s so good…. So comforting, salty, spicy, and the zucchini adds the best veggie touch. In our weekly rotation for sure!!
Aw thanks so much Brittney! 🙂 xT
I am trying this, this weekend! I was wondering how long the ranch sauce will keep in the fridge? Thanks!
Usually about 3-4 days! xT
Love this recipe. It’s not only easy but delicious. I serve over rice. My son asks to make extra and that he could eat this every day!
Thank you Nadine! xT
This is so simply amazing it’s crazy. I tried your suggestion of serving over fries. Genius!!!
Thank you! So glad to hear you’re enjoying this recipe! xT
Really enjoyed this recipe. I didn’t use your honey recipe because I had purchased some hot honey and didn’t know what to do with it. Your recipe was perfect use. Prepared the chicken and zuck as you did and it was great. I thought the zucchini was a little over cooked but still enjoyable.
Thank you so much for trying out the recipe! Have a great week! xT
It’s so amazing and easy! It moves very fast after the prep. My family has already requested this for next week and that will make the 3rd Sunday in a row. Love this unique recipe so much. TY!
Thank you for taking the time to try out this recipe! So glad to hear you enjoyed it! xT
Love it. Another winner. I skipped the zucchini and did broccoli in the air fryer – tossed it on the pan with the chicken after adding the sauce. Quick and delicious, easier, faster and cheaper than takeaway. I think next time I will double the sauce and pour extra over the plates when serving. Thank you!
Thanks so so much for trying out this recipe! Have a lovely day! xT
So delicious! Family wants it on the rotation! Thank you
Thank you so so much for trying out the recipe! I really hope you loved it! 🙂