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Ultimate Jerk Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner: Sweet, Spicy & Effortlessly Delicious

Transform your busy weeknights with this incredibly flavorful Jerk Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner with Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts. It’s a harmonious blend of sweet, smoky, and spicy notes, delivering a comforting meal that promises an exciting culinary adventure with minimal fuss. Prepare for a vibrant feast that will delight your taste buds and simplify your kitchen routine!

Why This Jerk Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner is Your Next Weeknight Hero

Life can get pretty hectic, and often, dinner becomes another item on an already overflowing to-do list. That’s precisely why sheet pan meals have become a true lifesaver in modern kitchens. They offer the ultimate combination of convenience, speed, and incredible flavor, all while keeping cleanup to an absolute minimum. This Jerk Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner exemplifies everything we love about these one-pan wonders.

The Irresistible Allure of Sheet Pan Dinners

Imagine a delicious, wholesome meal that requires nothing more than a single baking sheet, a few simple ingredients, and less than an hour from start to finish. That’s the power of sheet pan cooking! No endless pots and pans, no complicated techniques – just straightforward goodness. Everything cooks together beautifully, allowing flavors to meld and deepen, resulting in a cohesive and satisfying dish every time. For anyone looking to reduce stress in the kitchen without sacrificing taste or nutrition, sheet pan meals are an absolute game-changer. They’re perfect for meal prepping, feeding a family, or simply enjoying a delicious solo dinner with ease.

A Flavor Fiesta: Sweet, Spicy, and Unforgettable

What makes this particular Jerk Chicken Dinner so special? It’s the captivating interplay of flavors and textures. The fiery, aromatic kick of the Jamaican jerk seasoning perfectly coats juicy chicken thighs. This bold spice is beautifully balanced by the natural sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes, which caramelize exquisitely in the oven. Adding to this vibrant medley are earthy Brussels sprouts, which become tender and slightly nutty when roasted, and sweet, savory onions. The optional smoky beef sausage further deepens the complexity, creating a rich, satisfying experience that truly makes every bite feel like a celebration. It’s a meal that’s exciting enough for guests but simple enough for any busy evening.

Embracing the Vibrant World of Jamaican Jerk Seasoning

At the heart of this dish lies the star of Caribbean cuisine: Jamaican jerk seasoning. This iconic spice blend is renowned for its unique ability to be both intensely spicy and incredibly aromatic, delivering a flavor profile that is utterly addictive. Originating from Jamaica, jerk seasoning traditionally involves a complex mix of spices, often including Scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, thyme, garlic, and ginger, creating a signature taste that transports you straight to the islands.

Crafting Your Own Jerk Seasoning Blend

While high-quality store-bought jerk seasoning can be good, nothing quite compares to a homemade blend. Crafting your own allows you to control the freshness and intensity of each spice, tailoring it perfectly to your preference. The homemade Jamaican jerk seasoning I shared previously has been a fan favorite for its robust flavor and versatility. It’s a wonderful blend that can be used on so much more than just chicken – think shrimp, fish, or even roasted vegetables. The robust combination of spices like garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, allspice, and a generous kick of cayenne pepper creates a truly authentic and unforgettable Caribbean experience.

Essential Ingredients for Your Jerk Chicken Sheet Pan Feast

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the thoughtful combination of a few key ingredients that work in perfect harmony to deliver maximum flavor. Each component plays a crucial role in creating the delightful balance of taste and texture that makes this dish so appealing.

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: We opt for chicken thighs because they remain incredibly juicy and tender during roasting, absorbing the jerk seasoning beautifully. Their slightly richer flavor profile also stands up well to the bold spices.
Jerk Seasoning: The soul of the dish! Whether homemade or your favorite store-bought brand, ensure it’s fresh for the most vibrant flavor.
Beef Smoked Sausage: This ingredient adds a fantastic layer of smoky depth and savory richness, complementing the chicken and vegetables. It’s optional but highly recommended for an extra punch of flavor.
Sweet Potatoes: These humble tubers transform into sweet, caramelized bites in the oven, providing a wonderful counterpoint to the spicy jerk chicken. They also add beautiful color and wholesome nutrition.
Brussels Sprouts: When roasted, Brussels sprouts shed their bitterness and develop a delightful nutty, slightly crispy exterior and tender interior, offering a great textural contrast.
Onions: Sliced onions roast down to sweet, tender slivers, infusing the entire pan with their aromatic essence and adding another layer of savory sweetness.
Olive Oil: Essential for coating all the ingredients, promoting even cooking, crisping, and helping the seasonings adhere.
Kosher Salt: To enhance all the natural flavors and bring them to life.

Simple Steps to Your Delicious Sheet Pan Dinner

Creating this flavorful meal is incredibly straightforward, proving that gourmet taste doesn’t require complex techniques. The process is designed for efficiency, making it perfect for those busy weeknights.

First, you’ll begin by preparing your protein. Take those boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut them into substantial, bite-sized chunks, and toss them generously with a tablespoon of olive oil and your aromatic Jamaican jerk seasoning. Allow the chicken to marinate briefly in the refrigerator while you move on to the vegetables; even 15 minutes makes a difference in flavor absorption.

Next, it’s time to prep the rest of your ingredients. Slice your smoked beef sausage into appealing one-inch pieces and halve them for easier eating. Peel and cube your sweet potatoes into large, uniform pieces to ensure even cooking. Trim and halve your Brussels sprouts (or leave them whole if they are very small), and slice your yellow or red onion. Place all these colorful veggies and the sausage directly onto a large, parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with the remaining two tablespoons of olive oil, sprinkle with kosher salt, and toss everything together until each piece is beautifully coated.

Finally, spread the marinated chicken chunks evenly among the vegetables on the baking sheet, ensuring everything is in a single layer without overcrowding the pan. This is crucial for optimal roasting and crisping. Pop the sheet pan into a preheated oven, and in about 20-25 minutes, your kitchen will be filled with an irresistible aroma. The chicken will be cooked through and juicy, and the vegetables perfectly tender and slightly caramelized. Dinner served – it’s that simple and utterly delicious!

Expert Tips for the Best Jerk Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

While this recipe is incredibly forgiving, a few simple tips can elevate your Jerk Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner from great to absolutely outstanding. Pay attention to these details for consistently perfect results:

Onion Choice: I typically use a yellow onion for its balanced sweetness and pungency, but a red onion would also be a fantastic choice. Red onions offer a slightly sharper, peppery flavor and beautiful color once roasted. Feel free to use whichever you prefer or have on hand.
Chicken Cuts: While boneless, skinless chicken thighs are recommended for their juiciness, you can certainly use boneless, skinless chicken breasts if you prefer white meat. Just be mindful that chicken breasts tend to cook faster, so you might need to adjust your baking time by a few minutes to prevent them from drying out. Cut them into similar-sized chunks as the thighs for even cooking.
Chunk Size Matters: For the chicken, I cut each thigh into about four large, equal-sized pieces. The key is to keep the pieces roughly uniform in size to ensure they cook evenly alongside the vegetables. If your sweet potato cubes or Brussels sprouts are significantly larger or smaller than the chicken, adjust their size accordingly for consistent roasting.
Homemade Jerk Seasoning: As mentioned, I highly recommend using a homemade Jamaican jerk seasoning blend. It will yield a fresher, more vibrant flavor than most store-bought varieties. This recipe makes more than you’ll need for one dinner, which is great! Store any leftover seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dark place (like your spice cabinet) for up to three months. It’s perfect for future recipes, adding a touch of Caribbean flair to many dishes.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: This is arguably the most crucial tip for any sheet pan meal. If your baking sheet is too crowded, the ingredients will steam instead of roast, leading to soggy results instead of deliciously caramelized and tender ones. If you’re cooking for more than four people or find your ingredients don’t fit in a single layer, use two sheet pans. Divide the ingredients evenly between them and rotate the pans halfway through cooking for consistent results.
Parchment Paper is Your Friend: Always line your baking sheet with parchment paper. It ensures easy cleanup, preventing any sticking, especially with the delicious caramelized bits. Aluminum foil can also work, but parchment often yields better browning and less sticking.
Even Heat Distribution: For the best roasting, place your sheet pan on the middle rack of your oven. If using two pans, place them on separate racks and swap their positions halfway through cooking.
Spice Level Adjustment: If you’re sensitive to heat, reduce the amount of cayenne pepper in the homemade jerk seasoning or use a milder store-bought version. For those who love extra heat, a pinch more cayenne or a drizzle of hot sauce at the end can kick things up!

More Delicious Sheet Pan Meal Recipes to Enjoy

If you’ve fallen in love with the ease and flavor of sheet pan cooking, you’re in luck! There’s a whole world of one-pan wonders waiting to be discovered. Here are some more fantastic sheet pan recipes that promise minimal cleanup and maximum deliciousness, perfect for any day of the week:

Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas
Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Italian Sausage, Broccoli Rabe, Onions and Peppers
Berry Buttermilk Sheet Pan Pancakes
Sheet Pan Gnocchi and Veggies
Sweet n’ Spicy Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner

Jerk Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner with Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts

Author: MaryAnn Dwyer

Servings: 4 servings

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 25 mins

Total Time: 40 mins

A little sweet, a little spicy, this Jerk Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner with Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts is perfect for those busy weeknights. It’s an easy, comforting meal that’s a party for your taste buds!

Ingredients

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into large chunks
3 tbsp. olive oil, divided
1 ½ tbsp. Jamaican Jerk seasoning
12 oz. beef smoked sausage, cut into one-inch slices and then halved (optional)
2 medium (about 3 cups) sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into large cubes
1 lb. Brussels sprouts, whole if they’re small, halved if they’re large
1 large yellow onion, sliced
1 ½ tsp. kosher salt

Jerk Seasoning (for homemade blend)

1 Tbsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. onion powder
2 tsp. dried thyme
2 tsp. dried parsley
2 tsp. granulated sugar
2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. ground allspice
1/2 tsp. dried crushed red pepper
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the chunks of chicken with one tablespoon of the olive oil and the jerk seasoning. Toss until chicken is well coated. Place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to marinate.
To the prepared baking sheet, add the smoked sausage (if using), sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and sliced onion. Sprinkle with the kosher salt. Drizzle with the remaining two tablespoons of olive oil. Toss until all vegetables and sausage are well coated.
Add the marinated chicken chunks to the baking sheet, spreading them evenly among the vegetables in a single layer.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink inside and cooked through (internal temperature of 165 F/74 C), and the vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.
Remove from the oven and serve immediately.

Jerk Seasoning Instructions

Combine all seasoning ingredients in a small bowl until well blended. Store any unused seasoning in an airtight container in your spice cabinet for up to 3 months. You will use 1 1/2 tablespoons for this recipe.

Notes

I used a yellow onion for this recipe, but you could also use a red onion for a slightly different flavor profile and color.
If you’re not a fan of dark chicken meat, you could use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead. They will likely take a little less time to cook, so keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking.
I cut each of my chicken thighs into large chunks, typically four equal-sized pieces per thigh, to ensure even cooking with the vegetables.
I use my homemade Jamaican jerk seasoning, which is linked above. This blend makes more than you need for this recipe, but it stores well in an airtight container for future use.
For the best roasting results, avoid overcrowding the sheet pan. If necessary, use two baking sheets to ensure ingredients are in a single layer and crisp up nicely.

Nutrition

Keyword: chicken dinner, Jamaican jerk seasoning, sheet pan dinner, healthy, comfort food

Cuisine: Jamaican

Course: Main Dish

Before your first bite, snap a photo and share!
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see! Be sure to follow thebeachhousekitchen on Instagram and tag @thebeachhousekitchen or tag #thebeachhousekitchen!