An Easy, High-Protein Family Dinner (Athlete-Friendly & Weeknight-Approved)

If you’re looking for a simple, healthy dinner that your whole family will actually eat, this sheet pan honey garlic chicken and veggies recipe is about to become a regular in your rotation.

sheet pan honey garlic chicken and veggies

This is one of those meals that checks every box:

  • Easy enough for busy weeknights
  • Made with simple, real ingredients
  • High in protein and balanced
  • Great for feeding active kids and athletes
  • And best of all, everything cooks on one pan

Whether you’re coming home from practice, a long tournament weekend, or just a full day of life, this honey garlic chicken dinner delivers big flavor with very little effort.

Why You’ll Love This Sheet Pan Honey Garlic Chicken

This recipe was created for real families, not complicated cooking projects.

Here’s why it works so well:

  • One pan means minimal cleanup
  • Sweet + savory honey garlic flavor that kids love
  • High-protein chicken to keep everyone full
  • Roasted vegetables that actually get eaten
  • Easily customizable for picky eaters or bigger appetites

It’s comforting without being heavy, healthy without feeling “diet,” and simple without being boring.

Why This Meal Is Great for Active Families & Athletes

If you’re feeding kids who play sports, stay active, or simply have big appetites, dinner needs to do more than just taste good.

honey garlic chicken and veggies with rice bowl

This honey garlic chicken and veggie sheet pan meal provides:

  • Lean protein from chicken to support muscle recovery
  • Complex carbohydrates from vegetables for steady energy
  • Natural sugars from honey to help replenish energy stores
  • Healthy fats to keep meals satisfying

Serve it with rice, quinoa, or potatoes and you’ve got a well-balanced plate that works just as well after practice as it does on a regular school night.

Ingredients for Sheet Pan Honey Garlic Chicken & Veggies

honey garlic chicken and veggie ingredients

For the Chicken & Vegetables

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 3 cups broccoli florets
  • 2 cups baby carrots
  • 1 pound baby potatoes, halved
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Honey Garlic Sauce

  • ⅓ cup honey
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce or coconut aminos
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or rice vinegar)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder (or 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
easy weeknight sheet pan honey garlic chicken sauce

Optional Honey Garlic Drizzle (for serving)

  • ¼ cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce or coconut aminos
  • 1 tablespoon water or chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thickness)

How to Make Sheet Pan Honey Garlic Chicken

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 425°F.

This high temperature helps the chicken cook quickly and gives the vegetables that lightly caramelized, roasted texture.

Step 2: Prepare the Sheet Pan

Add the chicken, broccoli, carrots, and potatoes to a large sheet pan.

Drizzle with olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper.

Spread everything out in an even layer so it roasts instead of steams.

Step 3: Make the Honey Garlic Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together:

  • Honey
  • Soy sauce or coconut aminos
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Garlic powder
  • Black pepper

Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken and vegetables, then toss everything well to coat.

Step 4: Bake

Bake for 25–30 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until:

  • Chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F
  • Potatoes are fork-tender
  • Vegetables are lightly browned

For extra caramelization, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end.

While the sheet pan is baking, make the extra drizzle sauce.

Add all drizzle ingredients to a small saucepan and simmer for 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly, until slightly thick and glossy.

Drizzle over the finished chicken, vegetables, and rice just before serving for extra flavor and a beautiful presentation.

How to Serve Honey Garlic Chicken & Veggies

This dish is incredibly versatile. Serve it however works best for your family:

  • Over steamed white or brown rice
  • With quinoa for extra protein
  • Alongside mashed or roasted potatoes
  • As a bowl with extra veggies and sauce

For bigger appetites or high-activity days, simply add more rice or potatoes.

Make-Ahead & Meal Prep Tips

This honey garlic chicken recipe is perfect for meal prep.

  • Chop vegetables ahead of time and store in the fridge
  • Make the sauce in advance and refrigerate for up to 3 days
  • Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days

Leftovers reheat beautifully and make an easy lunch the next day.

Recipe Variations

Want to switch things up? Try one of these easy variations:

  • Use chicken thighs for extra flavor and calories
  • Swap broccoli for green beans, bell peppers, or Brussels sprouts
  • Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat
  • Use maple syrup instead of honey for a slightly different flavor

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen vegetables?

Fresh vegetables roast best, but frozen can work in a pinch. Just know they may release more moisture and won’t caramelize as much.

Is this recipe good after practice or games?

Yes. The combination of protein, carbs, and natural sugars makes it a great post-activity meal.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Absolutely. Use coconut aminos or a gluten-free soy sauce.

Can I cook this on two sheet pans?

If your pan is crowded, splitting everything between two pans will help it roast more evenly.

Why This Recipe Works for Busy Weeknights

This is the kind of recipe you can rely on:

  • Minimal prep
  • Simple ingredients
  • Flexible serving options
  • Easy cleanup

It’s realistic, nourishing, and comforting, exactly what busy families need.

More Easy Sheet Pan Dinners You’ll Love

If this recipe worked for your family, you’ll also love:

Final Thoughts

This sheet pan honey garlic chicken and veggies recipe is proof that healthy, family-friendly dinners don’t have to be complicated.

It’s flavorful, filling, and easy enough to make on your busiest nights, whether you’re feeding athletes, growing kids, or just a hungry family.

If you try this recipe, save it, pin it, and add it to your regular dinner rotation. It’s one of those meals that never lets you down.

sheet pan honey garlic chicken and veggies

Get the Recipe:
Sheet Pan Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies

This sheet pan honey garlic chicken and veggies is an easy, family-friendly dinner made with tender chicken, roasted vegetables, and a sweet savory honey garlic sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights with minimal cleanup.
No ratings yet

Ingredients
 

Chicken & Veggies

  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 3 cups broccoli florets
  • 2 cups baby carrots
  • 1 lb baby potatoes, halved
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Honey Garlic Sauce

  • cup honey
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce or coconut aminos
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp black pepper

Optional Honey Garlic Drizzle

  • ¼ cup honey
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce or coconut aminos
  • 1 tbsp water or chicken broth
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp cornstarch, optional

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 425°F.
  • Add chicken and vegetables to a large sheet pan.
  • Drizzle with olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  • Whisk honey garlic sauce ingredients together and pour over chicken and veggies.
  • Toss everything to coat evenly.
  • Bake for 25–30 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until chicken reaches 165°F.
  • Optional: Broil for 2–3 minutes for caramelization.
  • For extra sauce, simmer optional drizzle ingredients for 2–3 minutes and drizzle over bowls before serving.

Notes

Serve this honey garlic chicken and veggies over rice or quinoa for a complete meal. Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 4 days and are great for meal prep or next-day lunches.
Serving: -1g, Calories: 407kcal, Carbohydrates: 48g, Protein: 35g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0.02g, Cholesterol: 97mg, Sodium: 230mg, Potassium: 1153mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 30g, Vitamin A: 6215IU, Vitamin C: 59mg, Calcium: 55mg, Iron: 2mg
Did you make this recipe?Please leave a star rating and review below!