Sheet Pan Sesame Feta Chicken and Sweet Potatoes
Sticky sesame-glazed chicken thighs roasted alongside caramelized sweet potatoes and salty crumbled feta — one pan, bold contrast, minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
- 4 largebone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 mediumsweet potatoes(peeled, cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 3 tbspolive oil(divided)
- 3 tbspsoy sauce
- 2 tbspsesame oil
- 2 tbsphoney
- 1 tbsprice vinegar
- 3 clovesgarlic(minced)
- 1 tspfresh ginger(grated)
- ½ tspred pepper flakes
- ½ tspblack pepper
- ½ tspkosher salt
- 3 ozfeta cheese(crumbled)
- 1 ½ tbspsesame seeds(white or mixed)
- 2 piecescallions(thinly sliced, for serving)
Method
- 01
Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a large rimmed sheet pan with foil. Lightly grease the foil with 1 tbsp olive oil.
- 02
In a small bowl, whisk together the 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp sesame oil, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 3 cloves minced garlic, 1 tsp grated ginger, and ½ tsp red pepper flakes to form the sesame glaze. Set aside 2 tbsp of the glaze for finishing.
- 03
Pat the 4 chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. Season all over with ½ tsp kosher salt and ½ tsp black pepper.
- 04
Toss the cubed sweet potatoes with the remaining 2 tbsp olive oil and a pinch of salt directly on the sheet pan. Spread them in a single layer, leaving one half of the pan clear for the chicken.
- 05
Place the chicken thighs skin-side up on the empty half of the pan. Spoon or brush half of the sesame glaze generously over the chicken skin.
- 06
Roast for 20 minutes, until the sweet potatoes begin to soften and the chicken skin starts to color.
- 07
Remove the pan from the oven. Flip the sweet potatoes with a spatula, then brush the chicken with the remaining glaze (not the reserved 2 tbsp). Return the pan to the oven for another 15–18 minutes, until the chicken skin is deep golden and an instant-read thermometer reads 165°F at the thickest part.
- 08
Drizzle the reserved 2 tbsp glaze over the sweet potatoes and chicken. Scatter the 3 oz crumbled feta evenly across the pan.
- 09
Sprinkle the 1 ½ tbsp sesame seeds over everything and return the pan to the oven for 2 minutes, just until the feta warms and the sesame seeds toast lightly.
- 10
Finish with the sliced scallions scattered over the top and serve directly from the pan.
Adapted from public domain & community sources