Persian-Spiced Chicken and Potatoes

Posted by admin on Feb 05, 2023

The ultimate one-pan dinner, this Persian-Spiced Chicken and Potatoes recipe features flavorful, juicy chicken and tender, roasted vegetables for a nourishing meal that’s ready in minutes. Serve it on its own or with your favorite sides for an easy gluten free dinner no one can resist! Air Fryer Option.

Overhead shot of Persian-Spiced Chicken and Potatoes in a pan garnished with pomegranates

Say Goodbye to Boring Chicken!

Do you struggle with baking chicken that isn’t dry or bland? Well, not anymore! We’ll teach you how to make mouthwateringly juicy, unbelievably flavorful poultry every time with this Persian-spiced baked chicken and potatoes recipe! Made with simple ingredients, it bakes on a single dish in a matter of minutes. As a result, it’s quick to prepare and even faster to clean up. Plus, it’s so tasty even the pickiest of eaters won’t mind that you snuck in a few veggies. Winner, winner chicken dinner!

Close-up shot of Persian-Spiced Chicken and Potatoes in a pan garnished with pomegranates

Key Ingredients You’ll Need

The secret to creating delicious chicken and potatoes is to use plenty of seasonings, and we’ve got no shortage here! Here’s everything you’ll need:

Close-up shot of various spices (salt, turmeric, allspice, cayenne, paprika & black pepper) in a yellow bowl.

Spices – A combination of anti-inflammatory spices helps season the chicken while contributing to its health benefits. For a warm, Persian-inspired flavor we included salt, turmeric, allspice, cayenne, paprika, and black pepper.

Swap: If you don’t have allspice on hand, you can easily replace it with a combination of cinnamon, cardamom or clove, and cumin. See the recipe card below for specific measurements.

Chicken – We use skinless, boneless chicken thighs as the dark meat retains moisture and juices more easily, preventing it from drying out as it bakes.
Garlic – Minced garlic is included in the marinade for an extra bold, savory taste.
Oil – Olive oil or avocado oil is used to coat the chicken, locking in moisture and helping the seasonings stick.
Lemon – Lemon juice and lemon slices are included to help cut through some of the heaviness of the fat, creating a well-rounded and refreshing flavor.
Potatoes – We recommend using small purple or gold potatoes for their tender texture and buttery taste.
Vegetables – We use carrots, but any root vegetable like beets, turnips, or parsnips can be used. We also love to add extra cherry tomatoes for broiling!

How to Make the Best Spiced Chicken and Potatoes Recipe

One bite of this baked chicken and potatoes and it’s guaranteed to become a new weeknight favorite!

Marinade the Chicken. Whisk the spices and seasonings in a large bowl. Then, add the olive oil and lemon juice, and whisk again. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel, and transfer it to the bowl. Make sure it is completely coated in the marinade, and place it in the fridge to marinate.

Raw marinated chicken in a glass bowl on a counter with a pan of raw carrots and potatoes

Overhead shot of chicken, potatoes, carrots and lemons on a cooking sheet.

Bake. Place the chicken in a large oven-safe skillet or a large rimmed sheet pan. Add the potatoes and vegetables to the bowl of leftover marinade, and toss to coat them. Gently arrange the ingredients around the chicken. Bake until the chicken is fully cooked, broiling for the last 2 minutes, if desired.

Pro-Tip: Depending on the type of potato used and how small they are diced, they may take shorter or longer to cook. So, be sure to keep an eye on your oven, and adjust the baking time as needed!

Rest the Chicken. Remove the chicken, and set it aside to rest. Then, increase the oven’s temperature, and continue to bake the potatoes and vegetables until they are fork-tender.
Serve. Garnish with pomegranate arils and parsley before serving, and enjoy!

Overhead shot of Persian-Spiced Chicken and Potatoes in a pot with two hands holding pot.

Overhead shot of Persian-Spiced Chicken and Potatoes in a pot with garnish on a countertop.

Bonus! Air Fryer Option

If you prefer to make this chicken and potatoes recipe in the air fryer, follow the marinating instructions as listed. Then, preheat the air fryer to 400° Fahrenheit. Air fry the chicken for 13-15 minutes, flipping it over halfway through. Then, set them aside to rest, and air fry the vegetables in a separate batch.

Note: Both cooking methods are great. However, if you prefer an extra crispy texture, air frying is the way to go!

Overhead shot of an open air fryer with cooked Persian-Spiced Chicken and Potatoes.

Tips and Tricks

This baked chicken and potatoes recipe is pretty much foolproof, especially when you follow our tips below!

Marinate. Make sure to let your chicken soak in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes but no longer than 24 hours. This allows it to soak up the flavor of the marinade without breaking down and disintegrating.

Arrange In An Even Layer. Place the chicken and vegetables in your skillet in an even layer to ensure they cook evenly.

Adjust the Cooking Time. Depending on the size and thickness of your chicken, it may take shorter or longer to bake. So, be sure to keep a close eye on them in the oven. Adjust the cooking time as needed, ensuring they do not burn.

Add a Dipping Sauce! To make this baked chicken and potatoes

Serving Suggestions

This baked chicken and potatoes recipe can easily be served on its own for a complete, satisfying meal! However, if you want to add an extra side or two, try pairing it with options like:

And don’t forget dessert! Top off your meal with a crowd-pleasing sweet treat like Gluten Free Lemon Bars with Coconut or Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Vegan Brownies.

Baked Chicken and Potatoes: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this chicken and potatoes recipe ahead of time?

Yes! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Or, store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, just note that breasts are likely to require a different cooking time and may not be as juicy once baked.

Do I need to marinate the chicken?

Technically, no. You can season and bake the chicken right away. However, letting it marinade is the easiest way to ensure that it remains flavorful and doesn’t dry out in the oven.

More of Our Favorite

More Family-Friendly Chicken Recipes

Looking for more easy gluten free dinner recipes? Be sure to take a look at more of our favorites below!

Persian-Spiced Chicken and Potatoes

★★★★★

5 from 7 reviews

Author: Lindsay Cotter
Total Time: 1 hour 2 minutes
Yield: 4-5 servings

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Description

The ultimate one-pan dinner, this Persian-Spiced Chicken and Potatoes recipe features flavorful, juicy chicken and tender, roasted vegetables for a nourishing meal that’s ready in minutes.

Ingredients

Units

4 to 5 chicken thighs (~1.5 pounds), skinless and boneless
3 Tablespoons light olive or refined avocado oil
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon minced garlic or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon allspice (see notes for substitute)
¼ to ½ teaspoon cayenne
¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
pinch black pepper
1 pound small purple/gold new potatoes, quartered
1 cup sliced carrots (see notes for substitutes)
fresh lemon slices, optional
Optional Toppings- chopped parsley, pomegranate seeds

Instructions

In a large bowl, whisk together oil, lemon juice, garlic, turmeric, salt, allspice, cayenne, paprika and black pepper.
Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel then place chicken thighs in the bowl of marinade and coat well. Place the bowl in the fridge for 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Remove chicken from the marinade and transfer to a large oven safe skillet or large rimmed sheet pan. Place potatoes and vegetables in the bowl with the remaining marinade, gently toss, then arrange around the chicken.
If desired, place 4 lemon slices on top of chicken and vegetables.
Transfer skillet/pan to the center rack of the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F. Broil the last 2 minutes of baking for crispier texture. Note- Smaller chicken thighs will cook faster. Adjust times as needed.
Remove chicken from the oven and place on a serving plate to rest for 5 minutes. Turn the oven to 400 F and continue to bake potatoes and vegetables for an additional 5-10 minutes (or until tender) while chicken rests.
Garnish with pomegranate arils and parsley before serving.
Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Notes

Alternative Method – AIR FRYER OPTION – Marinate the chicken and vegetables per the directions above. Preheat the air fryer to 400 F and air fry the chicken for 13 -15 minutes, flipping halfway, depending on thickness of chicken. Vegetables will need to be fried in another batch.

Substitutes – Make allspice by mixing ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon cardamon or clove and ⅛ teaspoon cumin. Substitute carrots with other root vegetables (beets, turnips, parsnips), brussels sprouts (halved), or radish.

Greek Yogurt Dipping Sauce – Whisk together 5 ounces plain Greek yogurt, ½ teaspoon minced garlic, 1-2 teaspoon dried dill, and 1 teaspoon lemon juice.

Prep Time: 40
Cook Time: 22
Category: Main
Method: Oven