Sheet Pan Cajun-Spiced Chicken with Roasted Bell Peppers

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-25 · Updated 2026-04-25

Tender chicken thighs roasted with sweet bell peppers and bold Cajun spices, all cooked together on a single sheet pan for easy cleanup. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 55 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, 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 (about 3 lbs) bone-in chicken thighs
• 2 medium, sliced into 1-inch strips red bell pepper
• 2 medium, sliced into 1-inch strips yellow bell pepper
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp cajun seasoning
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a large bowl, combine 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Add 6 bone-in chicken thighs and 4 sliced bell peppers (2 red, 2 yellow) and toss to coat evenly.
2. Step 2: Arrange the seasoned chicken thighs skin-side up on a large sheet pan, spreading the bell peppers around them in a single layer. Roast in the preheated 425°F oven for 35-40 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the peppers are tender with slightly charred edges.
3. Step 3: Remove from oven and drizzle 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice over the chicken and peppers. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.