Creamy Garlic Chicken Tray Bake with Roasted Potatoes and Cherry Tomatoes
This cozy tray bake features tender, golden chicken baked with buttery roasted potatoes, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a luxuriously creamy garlic-herb sauce. Everything cooks together on one pan, soaking up the flavors — rich, aromatic, and truly Mediterranean in spirit. It’s an easy, elegant meal that’s perfect for weeknights or Sunday dinners.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40–45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Serves: 3–4
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp dried oregano
Salt & pepper to taste
For the Vegetables:
2 medium potatoes, cut into small cubes or wedges
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 small red onion, sliced
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt & black pepper to taste
½ tsp dried thyme or rosemary
For the Creamy Garlic Sauce:
1 tbsp butter or olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
¾ cup low-fat Greek yogurt or ½ cup light cream
¼ cup milk
2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
½ tsp dried basil or parsley
Salt & black pepper, to taste
Optional: 1 tsp Dijon mustard for depth of flavor
For Garnish:
Fresh parsley or basil, chopped
Extra parmesan
Instructions
1. Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
Line a large baking tray with parchment paper or lightly grease with olive oil.
2. Season the Chicken
In a bowl, mix olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Rub the seasoning all over the chicken breasts and set aside.
3. Prepare the Vegetables
Toss potatoes, cherry tomatoes, and onion with olive oil, salt, pepper, and thyme.
Spread evenly on one side of the tray.
Place the seasoned chicken pieces on the other side (or in between the veggies if space allows).
4. Bake
Roast for 25 minutes, flipping chicken halfway.
Remove from the oven — the chicken should be nearly cooked, and potatoes tender.
5. Make the Creamy Garlic Sauce
While baking, heat butter or olive oil in a small saucepan over low heat.
Add garlic and cook until fragrant (about 1 minute).
Stir in yogurt (or cream), milk, parmesan, herbs, salt, and pepper.
Simmer for 2–3 minutes until smooth and slightly thickened.
6. Combine and Finish Baking
Pour the creamy garlic sauce over the chicken and drizzle lightly over the veggies.
Return to the oven and bake for another 10–15 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly and golden around the edges.
7. Serve
Garnish with chopped parsley or basil and a sprinkle of parmesan.
Serve hot directly from the tray — rustic and beautiful!
Notes & Tips
For extra flavor: Add a handful of spinach or roasted bell peppers before the final bake.
Make it lighter: Use Greek yogurt and skip butter.
Make it richer: Add a splash of cream or a little mozzarella on top before baking.
Meal prep tip: Keeps well in the fridge for 3 days — reheat gently at low temperature to keep sauce creamy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I use bone-in chicken?
Yes! Just bake 10–15 minutes longer before adding the sauce.
Q2: What can I serve it with?
A crisp green salad or steamed asparagus balances the creaminess perfectly.
Q3: Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes — use coconut milk instead of cream and nutritional yeast instead of parmesan.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 480 kcal
Protein: 45g
Carbs: 32g
Fat: 18g
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 5g