Skip to main content

Sheet-Pan Cumin Chicken Thighs With Squash, Fennel, and Grapes

4.7

(75)

Chicken thighs with squash fennel and grapes on two plates. In the bottom right corner is the top of a sheetfilled of...
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Ali Nardi

Cumin-rubbed chicken juices season sweet roasted grapes, fennel, and squash in this simple yet flavorful one-pan dinner.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    45 minutes

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 acorn or delicata squash (about 1 1/2 pounds), halved lengthwise, seeded, cut into 1/4" half moons
1 fennel bulb (about 1/2 pound), cut in half lengthwise, sliced into 1/4" wedges with core intact
1/2 pound seedless red grapes (about 1 cup)
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs (about 2 pounds)
1/4 cup torn fresh mint leaves

Special equipment:

An 18x13" rimmed baking sheet

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Position rack in upper third of oven and preheat to 425°F. Mix brown sugar, cumin, salt, pepper, and cayenne in a small bowl. Toss squash, fennel, and grapes with oil and half of spice mixture on rimmed baking sheet and arrange in a single layer.

    Step 2

    Rub chicken thighs with remaining spice mixture and arrange, skin side up, on top of fruit and vegetables. Roast until skin is browned and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of chicken registers 165°F, about 35 minutes; if chicken skin or vegetables start to burn, move pan to a lower rack to finish cooking.

    Step 3

    Divide chicken, fruit, and vegetables among 4 plates and top with mint.

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Read More
Perfect for first-timers and holiday pros, this Gourmet classic is seasoned simply and comes out beautifully bronzed.
This easy roast duck makes for a lovely holiday centerpiece—it’s also pretty easy to cook.
With a buttery bourbon glaze, this Gourmet legend requires just four ingredients.
Serve with crusty bread to dip in the golden sauce.
“This is my all-time favorite beet dish,” writes cookbook author Nisha Vora.
A pinch of sugar in the spice rub ensures picture-perfect grill marks with layers of flavor.
This side dish is flavorful enough to also serve as a main course.
A melty layer of chopped leftover turkey and cheese centers these post-Thanksgiving sandwiches.