Top 20+ chicken tray bake recipes for an easy one-pot dinner

When you really can’t be bothered to cook, nothing beats a chicken tray bake for an easy dinner. Flavourful and nutritionally balanced, these one-pot recipes can offer the protein-and-two-veg hit we need from a mid-week meal. Whether you’re after a Mediterranean chicken dish, or a spiced chicken pilaf, a tray bake can cover all manner of ingredients and cuisines.

The benefit of a tray bake is that it cuts down on prep time and complicated cooking labour. Removing finicky slicing and dicing, a chicken tray bake often involves throwing whole ingredients in a pan and letting it simmer. What’s more, the use of just one pan can make washing-up a breeze.

Whether you’re after something light and summery, or cosy and comforting for winter, our favourite chicken tray bake recipes have you covered. While some recipes may list salads or sides, these can always be made optional in a pinch. Just don’t skip the seasoning!

Gourmet Traveller’s best chicken tray bakes

Gourmet Traveller’s best chicken tray bakes,          Cider-braised chicken with Brussels sprouts, apple and hazelnuts      ,          Baked chicken and rice with chilli and ginger dressing      ,          Chicken, carrot and orange tray bake with chive butter      ,          Pan-roasted chicken with artichokes and salad onion      ,          Leek, chorizo, cauliflower and chicken bake      ,          Harissa chicken with carrot, rice and quinoa pilaf      ,          Hawayej-spiced chicken thigh cutlets      ,          Roast chicken thighs with sourdough panzanella      ,          Roast chilli chicken with cauliflower and kale      ,          Chicken braised with cavolo nero and wine      ,          Tomato and pancetta roast chicken with green olives

Roast chicken with pancetta and brussels sprouts

Gourmet Traveller’s best chicken tray bakes,          Cider-braised chicken with Brussels sprouts, apple and hazelnuts      ,          Baked chicken and rice with chilli and ginger dressing      ,          Chicken, carrot and orange tray bake with chive butter      ,          Pan-roasted chicken with artichokes and salad onion      ,          Leek, chorizo, cauliflower and chicken bake      ,          Harissa chicken with carrot, rice and quinoa pilaf      ,          Hawayej-spiced chicken thigh cutlets      ,          Roast chicken thighs with sourdough panzanella      ,          Roast chilli chicken with cauliflower and kale      ,          Chicken braised with cavolo nero and wine      ,          Tomato and pancetta roast chicken with green olives

Cider-braised chicken recipe with Brussels sprout and apple salad in white dish.

Cider-braised chicken with Brussels sprouts, apple and hazelnuts

This cider-braised chicken recipe is a simple but delicious take on the classic Sunday roast.
Gourmet Traveller’s best chicken tray bakes,          Cider-braised chicken with Brussels sprouts, apple and hazelnuts      ,          Baked chicken and rice with chilli and ginger dressing      ,          Chicken, carrot and orange tray bake with chive butter      ,          Pan-roasted chicken with artichokes and salad onion      ,          Leek, chorizo, cauliflower and chicken bake      ,          Harissa chicken with carrot, rice and quinoa pilaf      ,          Hawayej-spiced chicken thigh cutlets      ,          Roast chicken thighs with sourdough panzanella      ,          Roast chilli chicken with cauliflower and kale      ,          Chicken braised with cavolo nero and wine      ,          Tomato and pancetta roast chicken with green olives

Dish of oven baked chicken with chilli and ginger dressing with side salad.

Baked chicken and rice with chilli and ginger dressing

A twist on Hainanese chicken and rice, this version is quick and easy to prepare.
Gourmet Traveller’s best chicken tray bakes,          Cider-braised chicken with Brussels sprouts, apple and hazelnuts      ,          Baked chicken and rice with chilli and ginger dressing      ,          Chicken, carrot and orange tray bake with chive butter      ,          Pan-roasted chicken with artichokes and salad onion      ,          Leek, chorizo, cauliflower and chicken bake      ,          Harissa chicken with carrot, rice and quinoa pilaf      ,          Hawayej-spiced chicken thigh cutlets      ,          Roast chicken thighs with sourdough panzanella      ,          Roast chilli chicken with cauliflower and kale      ,          Chicken braised with cavolo nero and wine      ,          Tomato and pancetta roast chicken with green olives

Roast chicken leg on top of bread with tomato-based sauce and side salad

Gourmet Traveller’s best chicken tray bakes,          Cider-braised chicken with Brussels sprouts, apple and hazelnuts      ,          Baked chicken and rice with chilli and ginger dressing      ,          Chicken, carrot and orange tray bake with chive butter      ,          Pan-roasted chicken with artichokes and salad onion      ,          Leek, chorizo, cauliflower and chicken bake      ,          Harissa chicken with carrot, rice and quinoa pilaf      ,          Hawayej-spiced chicken thigh cutlets      ,          Roast chicken thighs with sourdough panzanella      ,          Roast chilli chicken with cauliflower and kale      ,          Chicken braised with cavolo nero and wine      ,          Tomato and pancetta roast chicken with green olives

Roast chicken with white wine, porcini and sage sauce

Gourmet Traveller’s best chicken tray bakes,          Cider-braised chicken with Brussels sprouts, apple and hazelnuts      ,          Baked chicken and rice with chilli and ginger dressing      ,          Chicken, carrot and orange tray bake with chive butter      ,          Pan-roasted chicken with artichokes and salad onion      ,          Leek, chorizo, cauliflower and chicken bake      ,          Harissa chicken with carrot, rice and quinoa pilaf      ,          Hawayej-spiced chicken thigh cutlets      ,          Roast chicken thighs with sourdough panzanella      ,          Roast chilli chicken with cauliflower and kale      ,          Chicken braised with cavolo nero and wine      ,          Tomato and pancetta roast chicken with green olives

Chicken, carrot and orange tray bake with chive butter

Chicken, carrot and orange tray bake with chive butter

A one-tray roast with the added boost of flavoured compound butter. You won’t look back.
Gourmet Traveller’s best chicken tray bakes,          Cider-braised chicken with Brussels sprouts, apple and hazelnuts      ,          Baked chicken and rice with chilli and ginger dressing      ,          Chicken, carrot and orange tray bake with chive butter      ,          Pan-roasted chicken with artichokes and salad onion      ,          Leek, chorizo, cauliflower and chicken bake      ,          Harissa chicken with carrot, rice and quinoa pilaf      ,          Hawayej-spiced chicken thigh cutlets      ,          Roast chicken thighs with sourdough panzanella      ,          Roast chilli chicken with cauliflower and kale      ,          Chicken braised with cavolo nero and wine      ,          Tomato and pancetta roast chicken with green olives

Pan-roasted chicken with artichokes and salad onion

Pan-roasted chicken with artichokes and salad onion

For fast roast chook, it’s a matter of some marylands and a frypan.
Gourmet Traveller’s best chicken tray bakes,          Cider-braised chicken with Brussels sprouts, apple and hazelnuts      ,          Baked chicken and rice with chilli and ginger dressing      ,          Chicken, carrot and orange tray bake with chive butter      ,          Pan-roasted chicken with artichokes and salad onion      ,          Leek, chorizo, cauliflower and chicken bake      ,          Harissa chicken with carrot, rice and quinoa pilaf      ,          Hawayej-spiced chicken thigh cutlets      ,          Roast chicken thighs with sourdough panzanella      ,          Roast chilli chicken with cauliflower and kale      ,          Chicken braised with cavolo nero and wine      ,          Tomato and pancetta roast chicken with green olives

Chicken cacciatore recipe with salami and green olives

Gourmet Traveller’s best chicken tray bakes,          Cider-braised chicken with Brussels sprouts, apple and hazelnuts      ,          Baked chicken and rice with chilli and ginger dressing      ,          Chicken, carrot and orange tray bake with chive butter      ,          Pan-roasted chicken with artichokes and salad onion      ,          Leek, chorizo, cauliflower and chicken bake      ,          Harissa chicken with carrot, rice and quinoa pilaf      ,          Hawayej-spiced chicken thigh cutlets      ,          Roast chicken thighs with sourdough panzanella      ,          Roast chilli chicken with cauliflower and kale      ,          Chicken braised with cavolo nero and wine      ,          Tomato and pancetta roast chicken with green olives

Two small roast chickens with salad and salsa verde on a white tray.

Gourmet Traveller’s best chicken tray bakes,          Cider-braised chicken with Brussels sprouts, apple and hazelnuts      ,          Baked chicken and rice with chilli and ginger dressing      ,          Chicken, carrot and orange tray bake with chive butter      ,          Pan-roasted chicken with artichokes and salad onion      ,          Leek, chorizo, cauliflower and chicken bake      ,          Harissa chicken with carrot, rice and quinoa pilaf      ,          Hawayej-spiced chicken thigh cutlets      ,          Roast chicken thighs with sourdough panzanella      ,          Roast chilli chicken with cauliflower and kale      ,          Chicken braised with cavolo nero and wine      ,          Tomato and pancetta roast chicken with green olives

Roman-style chicken

Gourmet Traveller’s best chicken tray bakes,          Cider-braised chicken with Brussels sprouts, apple and hazelnuts      ,          Baked chicken and rice with chilli and ginger dressing      ,          Chicken, carrot and orange tray bake with chive butter      ,          Pan-roasted chicken with artichokes and salad onion      ,          Leek, chorizo, cauliflower and chicken bake      ,          Harissa chicken with carrot, rice and quinoa pilaf      ,          Hawayej-spiced chicken thigh cutlets      ,          Roast chicken thighs with sourdough panzanella      ,          Roast chilli chicken with cauliflower and kale      ,          Chicken braised with cavolo nero and wine      ,          Tomato and pancetta roast chicken with green olives

Leek, chorizo, cauliflower and chicken bake

Leek, chorizo, cauliflower and chicken bake

Punchy chorizo steals the show in this bake of cauliflower, chicken and leek, with hints of oregano adding some autumn flavours to this quick and tasty dinner.
Gourmet Traveller’s best chicken tray bakes,          Cider-braised chicken with Brussels sprouts, apple and hazelnuts      ,          Baked chicken and rice with chilli and ginger dressing      ,          Chicken, carrot and orange tray bake with chive butter      ,          Pan-roasted chicken with artichokes and salad onion      ,          Leek, chorizo, cauliflower and chicken bake      ,          Harissa chicken with carrot, rice and quinoa pilaf      ,          Hawayej-spiced chicken thigh cutlets      ,          Roast chicken thighs with sourdough panzanella      ,          Roast chilli chicken with cauliflower and kale      ,          Chicken braised with cavolo nero and wine      ,          Tomato and pancetta roast chicken with green olives

Harissa chicken with carrot, rice and quinoa pilaf recipe

Harissa chicken with carrot, rice and quinoa pilaf

Chicken, boring? Things look up with the addition of harissa, the North African spice paste.
Gourmet Traveller’s best chicken tray bakes,          Cider-braised chicken with Brussels sprouts, apple and hazelnuts      ,          Baked chicken and rice with chilli and ginger dressing      ,          Chicken, carrot and orange tray bake with chive butter      ,          Pan-roasted chicken with artichokes and salad onion      ,          Leek, chorizo, cauliflower and chicken bake      ,          Harissa chicken with carrot, rice and quinoa pilaf      ,          Hawayej-spiced chicken thigh cutlets      ,          Roast chicken thighs with sourdough panzanella      ,          Roast chilli chicken with cauliflower and kale      ,          Chicken braised with cavolo nero and wine      ,          Tomato and pancetta roast chicken with green olives

Rosemary mustard and brandy chicken with buttered carrot

Gourmet Traveller’s best chicken tray bakes,          Cider-braised chicken with Brussels sprouts, apple and hazelnuts      ,          Baked chicken and rice with chilli and ginger dressing      ,          Chicken, carrot and orange tray bake with chive butter      ,          Pan-roasted chicken with artichokes and salad onion      ,          Leek, chorizo, cauliflower and chicken bake      ,          Harissa chicken with carrot, rice and quinoa pilaf      ,          Hawayej-spiced chicken thigh cutlets      ,          Roast chicken thighs with sourdough panzanella      ,          Roast chilli chicken with cauliflower and kale      ,          Chicken braised with cavolo nero and wine      ,          Tomato and pancetta roast chicken with green olives

Hwayej-spiced chicken thigh cutlets

Hawayej-spiced chicken thigh cutlets

Game up your midweek standby of tray-baked chicken with a heady spice mix from Yemen, featuring caraway seeds, cumin, cardamom and more.
Gourmet Traveller’s best chicken tray bakes,          Cider-braised chicken with Brussels sprouts, apple and hazelnuts      ,          Baked chicken and rice with chilli and ginger dressing      ,          Chicken, carrot and orange tray bake with chive butter      ,          Pan-roasted chicken with artichokes and salad onion      ,          Leek, chorizo, cauliflower and chicken bake      ,          Harissa chicken with carrot, rice and quinoa pilaf      ,          Hawayej-spiced chicken thigh cutlets      ,          Roast chicken thighs with sourdough panzanella      ,          Roast chilli chicken with cauliflower and kale      ,          Chicken braised with cavolo nero and wine      ,          Tomato and pancetta roast chicken with green olives

Roast chicken thighs with sourdough panzanella

Roast chicken thighs with sourdough panzanella

Use whatever stale sourdough you have on hand for the panzanella – dark rye, for instance, will add extra complexity to this simple Tuscan tomato and bread salad.
Gourmet Traveller’s best chicken tray bakes,          Cider-braised chicken with Brussels sprouts, apple and hazelnuts      ,          Baked chicken and rice with chilli and ginger dressing      ,          Chicken, carrot and orange tray bake with chive butter      ,          Pan-roasted chicken with artichokes and salad onion      ,          Leek, chorizo, cauliflower and chicken bake      ,          Harissa chicken with carrot, rice and quinoa pilaf      ,          Hawayej-spiced chicken thigh cutlets      ,          Roast chicken thighs with sourdough panzanella      ,          Roast chilli chicken with cauliflower and kale      ,          Chicken braised with cavolo nero and wine      ,          Tomato and pancetta roast chicken with green olives

Roast chilli chicken with cauliflower and kale

Roast chilli chicken with cauliflower and kale

Change up your chicken with sweet paprika, chilli and a side cauliflower and kale salad.
Gourmet Traveller’s best chicken tray bakes,          Cider-braised chicken with Brussels sprouts, apple and hazelnuts      ,          Baked chicken and rice with chilli and ginger dressing      ,          Chicken, carrot and orange tray bake with chive butter      ,          Pan-roasted chicken with artichokes and salad onion      ,          Leek, chorizo, cauliflower and chicken bake      ,          Harissa chicken with carrot, rice and quinoa pilaf      ,          Hawayej-spiced chicken thigh cutlets      ,          Roast chicken thighs with sourdough panzanella      ,          Roast chilli chicken with cauliflower and kale      ,          Chicken braised with cavolo nero and wine      ,          Tomato and pancetta roast chicken with green olives

Chicken roasted with wine, basil and capers

Gourmet Traveller’s best chicken tray bakes,          Cider-braised chicken with Brussels sprouts, apple and hazelnuts      ,          Baked chicken and rice with chilli and ginger dressing      ,          Chicken, carrot and orange tray bake with chive butter      ,          Pan-roasted chicken with artichokes and salad onion      ,          Leek, chorizo, cauliflower and chicken bake      ,          Harissa chicken with carrot, rice and quinoa pilaf      ,          Hawayej-spiced chicken thigh cutlets      ,          Roast chicken thighs with sourdough panzanella      ,          Roast chilli chicken with cauliflower and kale      ,          Chicken braised with cavolo nero and wine      ,          Tomato and pancetta roast chicken with green olives

Chicken braised with cavolo nero and wine

Chicken braised with cavolo nero and wine

Wholesome and full of flavour, this quick and easy roast chicken is sure to satisfy.
Gourmet Traveller’s best chicken tray bakes,          Cider-braised chicken with Brussels sprouts, apple and hazelnuts      ,          Baked chicken and rice with chilli and ginger dressing      ,          Chicken, carrot and orange tray bake with chive butter      ,          Pan-roasted chicken with artichokes and salad onion      ,          Leek, chorizo, cauliflower and chicken bake      ,          Harissa chicken with carrot, rice and quinoa pilaf      ,          Hawayej-spiced chicken thigh cutlets      ,          Roast chicken thighs with sourdough panzanella      ,          Roast chilli chicken with cauliflower and kale      ,          Chicken braised with cavolo nero and wine      ,          Tomato and pancetta roast chicken with green olives

Chicken agrodolce

Gourmet Traveller’s best chicken tray bakes,          Cider-braised chicken with Brussels sprouts, apple and hazelnuts      ,          Baked chicken and rice with chilli and ginger dressing      ,          Chicken, carrot and orange tray bake with chive butter      ,          Pan-roasted chicken with artichokes and salad onion      ,          Leek, chorizo, cauliflower and chicken bake      ,          Harissa chicken with carrot, rice and quinoa pilaf      ,          Hawayej-spiced chicken thigh cutlets      ,          Roast chicken thighs with sourdough panzanella      ,          Roast chilli chicken with cauliflower and kale      ,          Chicken braised with cavolo nero and wine      ,          Tomato and pancetta roast chicken with green olives

Tomato and pancetta roast chicken with green olives

Tomato and pancetta roast chicken with green olives

Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for tomato and pancetta roast chicken with green olives.