Sheet Pan Citrus Chicken with Plantains

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken thighs roasted with bright lime and orange, caramelized plantains, and aromatic herbs for a vibrant weeknight meal. This puerto rican-inspired sheet pan ready in about 40 minutes pairs bone-in skin-on Chicken thighs, zested and juiced Lime, juiced Orange for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Puerto Rican cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season evenly with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Whisk lime zest, lime juice, orange juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, and remaining salt and pepper in a bowl until combined.
  3. Step 3: Place chicken thighs skin-side up on a parchment-lined sheet pan. Brush half the citrus mixture over chicken, then arrange plantain slices around the chicken.
  4. Step 4: Brush plantains with remaining citrus mixture and sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt. Roast for 25-30 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F and plantains are golden and tender, turning once halfway.
  5. Step 5: Rest chicken for 5 minutes before serving with extra citrus glaze drizzled over top.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sheet Pan Citrus Chicken with Plantains take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Sheet Pan Citrus Chicken with Plantains?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep zested and juiced lime from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sheet Pan Citrus Chicken with Plantains?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Sheet Pan Citrus Chicken with Plantains for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Sheet Pan Citrus Chicken with Plantains?

Puerto Rican sheet pan like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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