Easy Creamy Garlic Herb Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner: Your Ultimate One-Pan Meal
Prepare for your new favorite weeknight dinner! This Creamy Garlic Herb Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner brings together tender, juicy chicken breasts, perfectly roasted diced potatoes, and fresh green beans, all bathed in an incredibly luscious cream cheese garlic sauce. It’s a complete meal that cooks on a single sheet pan, promising maximum flavor with minimal cleanup.
If you’re a fan of convenient and delicious sheet pan dinners, this recipe is an absolute must-try. The star of this sheet pan chicken and potatoes meal is undoubtedly the rich, aromatic cream cheese garlic herb sauce. It transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience, elevating the flavor of the chicken and vegetables to a whole new level of indulgence.
The best part? Everything comes together in just one pan in the oven. This means less time scrubbing dishes and more time enjoying your delicious home-cooked meal. It’s as convenient and satisfying as our popular sheet pan pizza, sheet pan pork tenderloin, and sheet pan shrimp fajitas.
Beyond its incredible flavor and ease, this sheet pan garlic chicken and veggies recipe is also fantastic for meal prepping. Spend a little time on the weekend whipping up a batch, then portion it into single-serve containers. You’ll have quick, healthy, and delicious grab-and-go meals ready for a busy week, making healthy eating effortless.
Why You’ll Love This Sheet Pan Chicken Recipe
There are countless reasons why this creamy garlic herb chicken will quickly become a staple in your meal rotation. Here are just a few:
- 30 Minute Dinner: From prep to plate, this meal is incredibly quick, making it perfect for those busy weeknights when you need a delicious and satisfying dinner on the table in a flash.
- Effortless Sheet Pan Recipe: The magic of sheet pan cooking means minimal active cooking time and even less cleanup. Just toss, roast, and enjoy!
- True One-Pan Meal: Everything—protein, starch, and vegetables—cooks together on a single pan. No need for multiple pots and pans, resulting in a cleaner kitchen and less stress.
- Unforgettably Delicious: The star of the show is the rich, creamy garlic herb sauce. It infuses every bite of chicken, potatoes, and green beans with an incredible depth of flavor that’s both comforting and gourmet.
- A Complete Meal: This isn’t just a main dish; it’s a well-rounded meal designed to nourish and satisfy. You get tender chicken, hearty potatoes, and healthy green beans all in one serving, eliminating the need for separate side dishes.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Planning ahead for healthy lunches or dinners has never been easier. This dish holds up beautifully in the fridge, making it an ideal candidate for batch cooking and convenient grab-and-go meals throughout the week.
Essential Ingredients for Your Sheet Pan Dinner
This section includes detailed ingredient notes and helpful substitution options. For precise measurements, the full list of ingredients, and complete instructions, please refer to the printable recipe card located at the end of this post.
Here’s a closer look at the key ingredients you’ll need to create this fantastic chicken sheet pan dinner:
- Chicken – We recommend using boneless, skinless chicken breasts for quick and even cooking. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer a richer flavor and even juicier meat. Remember to trim any excess fat from the chicken to ensure a lean, delicious result.
- Potatoes – For the best texture and flavor, reach for Yukon Gold, red, or even new potatoes. These varieties tend to roast beautifully, becoming wonderfully tender on the inside and slightly crispy on the outside. The most important tip here is to dice your potatoes into even, bite-sized cubes. This ensures they cook uniformly and are tender at the same time as the chicken and green beans.
- Green Beans – Fresh green beans are vibrant and crisp, but a 10-ounce bag of frozen fine green beans (thawed) works perfectly and saves on prep time. If green beans aren’t your favorite, feel free to swap them out for other hearty vegetables like broccoli florets, asparagus spears, Brussels sprouts (halved), or even bell pepper strips. Adjust cooking times slightly if using denser vegetables.
- Garlic – Garlic is the heart of our creamy sauce! Minced garlic is essential. While freshly minced garlic offers the most pungent and aromatic flavor, good quality jarred minced garlic is a convenient alternative that will still deliver fantastic results.
- Olive Oil – A good quality olive oil helps the vegetables and chicken roast beautifully and develop a golden-brown crust. You can also use other high smoke point oils like avocado oil or even melted coconut oil if you prefer.
- Herbs and Spices – This recipe features a delightful blend of salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and dried oregano. These herbs provide a classic, savory profile that complements the garlic and cream cheese perfectly. Fresh parsley is also added at the end as an optional garnish, adding a burst of freshness.
- Butter – Real butter is highly recommended for the sauce. It contributes significantly to the richness and depth of flavor. Unsalted butter gives you more control over the overall sodium content, but salted butter works too (just adjust the added salt accordingly). Margarine will not provide the same luxurious texture or taste.
- Milk – For an ultra-creamy and rich sauce, whole milk is your best bet. If you prefer a lighter sauce, you can use 2% milk, but keep in mind that the sauce may be slightly less decadent.
- Cream Cheese – This is the secret ingredient that gives our sauce its incredible, velvety texture and tangy, rich flavor. Make sure your cream cheese is softened and diced into small cubes before adding it to the skillet. This helps it melt smoothly and incorporate seamlessly into the sauce, preventing any lumps.
- Flour – All-purpose flour acts as the thickening agent for the garlic cream sauce, creating a smooth, glossy consistency. If you need a gluten-free option, a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend or cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tsp cold water) can be used as an alternative.
How to Make This Creamy Garlic Herb Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
You will find the full recipe with precise instructions, measurements, and all the details at the bottom of this page in the printable recipe card. Before diving in, take a moment to review these ingredient notes, step-by-step instructions with accompanying photos, and valuable recipe tips below for the best results.
Creating this delicious one-pan meal is surprisingly straightforward. Follow these steps for a perfectly cooked dinner:
Step 1: Prepare and Arrange Ingredients for Roasting
Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C) as directed in the recipe card. While the oven heats, dice your chicken breasts into uniform, bite-sized pieces (about 1-inch cubes). Similarly, dice your potatoes into even cubes, aiming for consistent sizing to ensure they cook at the same rate. Thaw your frozen green beans or trim fresh ones. Arrange the diced chicken, potatoes, and green beans in a single, even layer on a large sheet pan. Drizzle everything with olive oil and toss gently to ensure all ingredients are lightly coated. Season generously with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Roast to Perfection
Place the sheet pan in your preheated oven and bake for approximately 25 minutes. The exact cooking time may vary slightly depending on your oven and the size of your chicken and potato pieces. You’ll know the chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) as measured with a meat thermometer, and the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
Step 3: Begin the Creamy Garlic Sauce
While your chicken and vegetables are roasting in the oven, you’ll prepare the star of the dish: the creamy garlic herb sauce. In a medium-sized skillet on the stovetop, melt your butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until it becomes fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as this can make it bitter.
Step 4: Create the Roux and Whisk in Milk
Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the melted butter and garlic mixture in the skillet. Stir continuously for about 1 minute to create a roux, which will help thicken the sauce. Gradually whisk in the milk, adding it slowly to prevent lumps. Continue whisking constantly until the sauce begins to thicken and becomes smooth.
Step 5: Finish the Sauce and Serve
Add the softened, diced cream cheese and your chosen spices (thyme and oregano) to the skillet. Whisk continuously until the cream cheese is fully melted and smoothly incorporated into the sauce. Let the sauce come to a low simmer, allowing it to thicken further. Once the chicken and vegetables are fully baked and cooked through, remove the sheet pan from the oven. Spoon the warm, creamy garlic herb sauce generously over the chicken and vegetables. Garnish with shredded Parmesan cheese and fresh minced parsley, if desired, and serve immediately!
Tips for Success
To ensure your creamy garlic herb chicken sheet pan dinner turns out perfect every time, keep these tips in mind:
- Evenly Dice Ingredients: Uniformly sized chicken and vegetables are key to even cooking. This prevents some pieces from being undercooked while others are overcooked.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Give your ingredients space! If the sheet pan is too crowded, the chicken and vegetables will steam instead of roast, preventing them from browning nicely. Use two pans if necessary.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: For perfectly cooked, safe chicken, always use a meat thermometer. Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Softened Cream Cheese: Ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature and diced before adding it to the sauce. This will help it melt smoothly and prevent lumps.
- Whisk Vigorously for Sauce: When adding flour and milk, whisk continuously and vigorously to create a smooth, lump-free sauce.
- Rest the Chicken: After removing the chicken from the oven, let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and moist chicken.
Recipe Variations
This creamy garlic herb chicken sheet pan dinner is wonderfully versatile! Feel free to customize it to your taste or what you have on hand:
- Different Vegetables: Swap green beans for other quick-cooking veggies like asparagus, chopped bell peppers, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes. For heartier options like carrots or Brussels sprouts, you might want to roast them for an extra 5-10 minutes before adding the chicken and sauce.
- Add a Citrus Boost: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the finished dish can brighten all the flavors.
- Spice It Up: For a touch of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce or sprinkle them over the sheet pan before roasting.
- Cheesy Topping: While Parmesan is suggested, a sprinkle of mozzarella or a blend of Italian cheeses can add extra gooey deliciousness.
- Smoked Paprika: A teaspoon of smoked paprika added to the initial seasoning of the chicken and potatoes can add a lovely smoky depth.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Knowing how to properly store and reheat your leftovers means you can enjoy this delicious meal for days to come!
Refrigerate – Your cooked chicken and vegetables can be stored safely in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, you have a couple of options. For quick warming, use the microwave. If you prefer reheating in the oven, make sure to cover the container tightly with aluminum foil to prevent the creamy sauce from drying out or burning on the chicken. A splash of milk or broth can help rehydrate the sauce if it seems too thick.
Freezing – While the chicken and vegetables themselves freeze well, the creamy sauce might separate slightly once thawed. This is common with dairy-based sauces. However, you can still freeze the meal. Place individual portions in freezer-safe containers. The chicken and vegetables will maintain good quality for 1-2 months in the freezer. To reheat from frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat as described above. You may need to whisk the sauce vigorously or gently re-simmer it on the stovetop with a little extra milk to bring back its creamy consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The most reliable way to determine if chicken is thoroughly cooked is to use a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken breast, avoiding any bones. You’re looking for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Visually, cooked chicken will be white on the inside with no pink visible, and the juices will run clear, not milky or bloody. However, relying solely on visual cues can be misleading, so a thermometer is always recommended for food safety.
Yes, absolutely! Allowing your chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes after it comes out of the oven is a crucial step. This resting period gives the muscle fibers time to relax and reabsorb the juices, which would otherwise escape if you cut into it immediately. The result is significantly more moist, tender, and flavorful chicken. If you slice into hot chicken right away, you’ll find it can dry out quickly.
You can certainly use bone-in chicken if you prefer! However, bone-in chicken, especially with skin, will require a longer cooking time compared to boneless, skinless breasts. You’ll need to adjust the baking duration accordingly to ensure the chicken gets fully cooked and reaches the proper internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) without drying out the other ingredients. Keep an eye on the potatoes and green beans, and consider adding them slightly later or covering them if they start to brown too much.
This sheet pan dinner is a complete meal on its own, but if you’re looking to round it out further, a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette would add a fresh contrast. A side of crusty bread or garlic bread is also excellent for soaking up every last bit of that delicious creamy sauce!
Yes, you can! To save time on a busy weeknight, you can chop your potatoes and green beans a day in advance and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The creamy garlic sauce can also be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. Gently reheat the sauce on the stovetop over low heat, whisking in a little extra milk or broth if it has thickened too much.
More Must-Try Chicken Recipes
If you love versatile and delicious chicken dishes, be sure to explore these other fantastic recipes:
- Smothered chicken
- One-pot creamy garlic chicken
- Jalapeno popper chicken
- Crockpot parmesan garlic chicken pasta
- One-pot creamy spinach chicken pasta
Creamy Garlic Herb Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
Author: Jaclyn
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts trimmed
- 1 10 ounce frozen fine green beans, thawed
- 1 pound baby golden potatoes diced
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- ½ Tablespoon butter
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ½ cup milk
- 2 ounces cream cheese softened and diced
- 2 teaspoon oregano
- 3-4 sprigs thyme removed from stem and chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
- shredded parmesan cheese optional topping
- minced fresh parsley optional garnish
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 425°F.
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Place the chicken breasts on a sheet pan. Arrange the diced potatoes and green beans around the chicken in an even layer. Pour the olive oil over the potatoes, beans, and chicken and turn to coat. Season everything with salt and pepper.
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Bake for 25 minutes, or until your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.
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While your sheet pan meal cooks, prepare the garlic sauce on the stovetop. Melt butter in a medium-sized skillet over medium heat.
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Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds-1 minute, or until fragrant.
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Sprinkle the flour over the garlic and stir to mix.
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Whisk in milk.
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Add the cream cheese, whisking continuously until fully melted and incorporated.
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Stir in thyme and oregano, letting sauce come to a low simmer.
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Serve with the creamy sauce spooned generously over the chicken. Top with a sprinkle of parmesan and parsley, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
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In conclusion, this Creamy Garlic Herb Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner offers an irresistible combination of rich flavors, effortless cooking, and minimal cleanup. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights, meal prepping, or simply when you crave a comforting, hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Give this recipe a try, and prepare to be amazed by how much flavor you can achieve with so little effort. Enjoy every creamy, garlicky bite!