Sheet Pan Cajun-Spiced Chicken Thighs with Roasted Bell Peppers

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-27 · Updated 2026-05-27

Tender chicken thighs coated in a smoky Cajun spice blend roasted alongside vibrant bell peppers for a colorful and flavorful meal. This American-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, olive oil, smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 6 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 large, sliced into 1/2-inch strips red bell pepper
• 1 large, sliced into 1/2-inch strips yellow bell pepper
• 1 large, sliced into 1/2-inch strips green bell pepper

Know when the chicken is done: thermometers under $100 → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a small bowl, combine 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to make the Cajun spice mix.
2. Step 2: Pat dry 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, then rub evenly with 3 tbsp olive oil and coat with the Cajun spice mix, ensuring full coverage.
3. Step 3: Arrange the seasoned chicken thighs on a large sheet pan skin-side up. Scatter 1 large sliced red bell pepper, 1 large sliced yellow bell pepper, and 1 large sliced green bell pepper around the chicken.
4. Step 4: Roast in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes until the chicken skin is crispy and an internal temperature of 165°F is reached, and the bell peppers are tender with slightly charred edges.
5. Step 5: Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes before serving, allowing juices to redistribute and flavors to meld.