12 Dinner Recipes For Anyone Who Just CANNOT Handle Life Right Now

Kristen Aiken
Updated
(Photo: Half Baked Harvest)
(Photo: Half Baked Harvest)

Some people are just not emotionally equipped to handle kitchen cleanup with any level of chill.

Take my mother, for example. Every time I cook dinner at her house, she trails inches behind me with a kitchen towel, crouching on the floor and obsessively buffing the “oil slick” that has radiated from the electric stovetop and landed on the hardwood floors in a thin mist. If left unattended, some sock-footed member of my family will undoubtedly slip, banana-peel style, and I’ll be blamed. I can’t handle this pressure anymore, so I’m only making sheet pan dinners for my parents from this point forward.

When you make a sheet pan dinner, you toss all the ingredients on a sheet pan (you might also call it a cookie sheet or a baking tray) and then you whack it in the oven, as Jamie Oliver would say. All the sizzling, popping, spraying and mess-making splatters happen behind the closed doors of the oven, where they can harm no one.

And since the entire recipe is cooked in one pan, you inevitably have fewer dishes, mixing bowls and pans to clean up afterward. (Caveat: This isn’t always true, but it mostly is. Some recipes call for marinades or sauces that need to be made in a separate bowl before being incorporated with the sheet pan ingredients.)

Because the average American eats around 92 pounds of chicken per year, we rounded up 12 of the simplest, most satisfying sheet pan chicken recipes for you. Get cooking, and enjoy the laziness of an easy cleanup.

Sheet Pan Cuban Chicken With Citrus Avocado Salsa

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/sheet-pan-cuban-chicken-with-citrus-avocado-salsa/?highlight=sheet+pan" target="_blank">Sheet Pan Cuban Chicken With Citrus Avocado Salsa</a> recipe from Half Baked Harvest</strong>

Baked Chicken Parmesan

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.wellplated.com/baked-chicken-parmesan/" target="_blank">Baked Chicken Parmesan</a> recipe from Well Plated</strong>
Get the Baked Chicken Parmesan recipe from Well Plated

Meyer Lemon Roasted Chicken

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.howsweeteats.com/2018/01/meyer-lemon-roast-chicken/" target="_blank">Meyer Lemon Roasted Chicken</a> recipe from How Sweet Eats</strong>
Get the Meyer Lemon Roasted Chicken recipe from How Sweet Eats

Sheet Pan Bruschetta Chicken

<strong>Get the <a href="https://damndelicious.net/2016/09/24/sheet-pan-bruschetta-chicken/" target="_blank">Sheet Pan Bruschetta Chicken</a> recipe from Damn Delicious</strong>
Get the Sheet Pan Bruschetta Chicken recipe from Damn Delicious

One-Pan Apricot Walnut And Brie Stuffed Chicken Breast

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/one-pan-apricot-walnut-and-brie-stuffed-chicken-breast-with-roasted-potatoes/?highlight=one-pan" target="_blank">One-Pan Apricot Walnut And Brie Stuffed Chicken Breast</a> recipe from Half Baked Harvest</strong>

Sheet Pan Asian Stir Fry

<strong>Get the <a href="https://damndelicious.net/2016/09/30/sheet-pan-asian-stir-fry/" target="_blank">Sheet Pan Asian Stir Fry</a> recipe from Damn Delicious</strong>
Get the Sheet Pan Asian Stir Fry recipe from Damn Delicious

Sheet Pan Harissa Chicken With Roasted Sweet Potatoes

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.feastingathome.com/sheet-pan-harissa-chicken/" target="_blank">Sheet Pan Harissa Chicken With Roasted Sweet Potatoes</a> recipe from Feasting At Home</strong>
Get the Sheet Pan Harissa Chicken With Roasted Sweet Potatoes recipe from Feasting At Home

Sheet Pan Garlic Ginger Chicken And Broccoli

<strong>Get the <a href="https://pinchofyum.com/garlic-ginger-chicken" target="_blank">Sheet Pan Garlic Ginger Chicken And Broccoli</a> recipe from Pinch of Yum</strong>
Get the Sheet Pan Garlic Ginger Chicken And Broccoli recipe from Pinch of Yum

Sheet Pan Chicken With Asparagus And Potatoes

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/sheet_pan_chicken_with_asparagus_and_potatoes/" target="_blank">Sheet Pan Chicken With Asparagus And Potatoes</a> recipe from Simply Recipes</strong>

Best Easy Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Souvlaki

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/best-easy-greek-sheet-pan-chicken-souvlaki-and-potatoes/?highlight=sheet+pan" target="_blank">Best Easy Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Souvlaki</a> recipe from Half Baked Harvest</strong>

Sheet Pan Skinny Lemon Pepper Chicken and Vegetables

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.averiecooks.com/2018/01/sheet-pan-skinny-lemon-pepper-chicken-vegetables.html" target="_blank">Sheet Pan Skinny Lemon Pepper Chicken and Vegetables</a> recipe from Averie Cooks</strong>

Sheet-Pan Chicken And Crispy Potatoes With Lemon And Thyme

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.feastingathome.com/one-pan-chicken-and-crispy-potatoes/" target="_blank">Sheet-Pan Chicken And Crispy Potatoes With Lemon And Thyme</a> recipe from Feasting At Home</strong>

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Chicken With Allspice And Citrus

<strong>Get the <a href="http://theviewfromgreatisland.com/2015/01/roasted-chicken-with-allspice-and-citrus.html" target="_blank">Roasted Chicken with Allspice and Citrus recipe</a> from The View From The Great Island</strong>

Tabasco Brined Baked Drumsticks

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.foodiecrush.com/2013/10/tabasco-brined-spicy-drumsticks/" target="_blank">Tabasco Brined Baked Drumsticks recipe</a> from Foodie Crush</strong>
Get the Tabasco Brined Baked Drumsticks recipe from Foodie Crush

Spinach And Feta Stuffed Chicken Breasts

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2010/03/spinach-and-feta-stuffed-chicken.html" target="_blank">Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken Breasts recipe</a> from Skinny Taste</strong>
Get the Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken Breasts recipe from Skinny Taste

Honey Mustard Chicken

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.foodiecrush.com/2014/01/honey-mustard-chicken/" target="_blank">Honey Mustard Chicken recipe</a> from Foodie Crush</strong>
Get the Honey Mustard Chicken recipe from Foodie Crush

Black Pepper Baked Chicken Fingers

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.halfbakedharvest.com/black-pepper-rub-chicken-fingers-greek-yogurt-ranch/" target="_blank">Black Pepper Baked Chicken Fingers recipe</a> from Half Baked Harvest</strong>
Get the Black Pepper Baked Chicken Fingers recipe from Half Baked Harvest

Baked Chicken Milanese

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2008/04/chicken-milanese-with-arugula-and.html" target="_blank">Baked Chicken Milanese recipe</a> from Skinny Taste</strong>
Get the Baked Chicken Milanese recipe from Skinny Taste

Cornflake-Coconut Crusted Baked Chicken

<strong>Get the <a href="http://boulderlocavore.com/2013/08/cornflake-coconut-crusted-baked-chicken.html" target="_blank">Cornflake-Coconut Crusted Baked Chicken recipe</a> from Boulder Locavore</strong>
Get the Cornflake-Coconut Crusted Baked Chicken recipe from Boulder Locavore

Chicken Breasts With Tarragon And Mustard Sauce

<strong>Get the <a href="http://theviewfromgreatisland.com/2012/01/roast-chicken-breasts-with-tarragon-and-mustard-sauce.html" target="_blank">Chicken Breasts with Tarragon and Mustard Sauce recipe</a> from The View From The Great Island</strong>

Baked Chicken Pesto Parmesan

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.handletheheat.com/baked-chicken-pesto-parmesan/" target="_blank">Baked Chicken Pesto Parmesan recipe</a> from Handle The Heat</strong>
Get the Baked Chicken Pesto Parmesan recipe from Handle The Heat

Cilantro Citrus Chicken

<strong>Get the <a href="http://cafejohnsonia.com/2012/05/cilantro-citrus-chicken.html" target="_blank">Cilantro Citrus Chicken recipe</a> from Cafe Johnsonia</strong>
Get the Cilantro Citrus Chicken recipe from Cafe Johnsonia

Chicken And Olives

<strong>Get the <a href="http://theviewfromgreatisland.com/2012/02/minimal-monday-chicken-roasted-with-black-olives.html" target="_blank">Chicken and Olives recipe</a> from The View From The Great Island</strong>
Get the Chicken and Olives recipe from The View From The Great Island

Sweet And Sour Sticky Thai Boneless Oven Baked Chicken Wings

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.halfbakedharvest.com/sweet-sour-sticky-thai-boneless-oven-baked-chicken-wings/" target="_blank">Sweet and Sour Sticky Thai Boneless Oven Baked Chicken Wings recipe</a> from Half Baked Harvest</strong>

Southwest Buttermilk Baked Chicken

<strong>Get the <a href="http://damndelicious.net/2014/11/15/southwest-buttermilk-baked-chicken/" target="_blank">Southwest Buttermilk Baked Chicken recipe</a> from Damn Delicious</strong>
Get the Southwest Buttermilk Baked Chicken recipe from Damn Delicious

Baked Chicken Parmesan

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/04/baked-chicken-parmesan.html" target="_blank">Baked Chicken Parmesan recipe</a> from Skinny Taste</strong>
Get the Baked Chicken Parmesan recipe from Skinny Taste

Baked Honey Garlic Chicken

<strong>Get the <a href="http://damndelicious.net/2014/07/25/baked-honey-garlic-chicken/" target="_blank">Baked Honey Garlic Chicken recipe</a> from Damn Delicious</strong>
Get the Baked Honey Garlic Chicken recipe from Damn Delicious

Saucy Baked Chicken Wings

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.bellalimento.com/2014/01/27/super-saucy-baked-chicken-wings/" target="_blank">Saucy Baked Chicken Wings recipe</a> from Bell'Alimento</strong>
Get the Saucy Baked Chicken Wings recipe from Bell'Alimento

Baked Ranch Cheddar Chicken

<strong>Get the <a href="http://damndelicious.net/2014/10/31/ranch-cheddar-chicken/" target="_blank">Baked Ranch Cheddar Chicken recipe</a> from Damn Delicious</strong>
Get the Baked Ranch Cheddar Chicken recipe from Damn Delicious

Spanish Baked Chicken

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/spanish_baked_chicken/" target="_blank">Spanish Baked Chicken recipe</a> from Simply Recipes</strong>
Get the Spanish Baked Chicken recipe from Simply Recipes

Apple Cider Baked Chicken

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/apple-cider-baked-chicken/" target="_blank">Apple Cider Baked Chicken recipe</a> from Gimme Some Oven</strong>
Get the Apple Cider Baked Chicken recipe from Gimme Some Oven

Garlic-Yogurt Baked Chicken

<strong>Get the <a href="http://diethood.com/garlic-yogurt-baked-chicken/" target="_blank">Garlic-Yogurt Baked Chicken recipe</a> from Diethood</strong>
Get the Garlic-Yogurt Baked Chicken recipe from Diethood

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