Sticky Chicken with Beetroot and Red Onion

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Packed with flavour but ready in just one hour in just one roasting tin this recipe for Roasted Sticky Chicken with Beetroot and Red Onion is the ultimate autumnal chicken traybake recipe! Flavoured with balsamic vinegar and pomegranate molasses earthy roasted beetroot pair with your favourite pouch of grains for a simple, hearty dinner that is still impressive enough for guests!

Blue and white serving platter of roasted chicken thighs, beetroot and red onion over mixed grains.

Skin on, bone in chicken thighs are the ultimate star of a simple traybake, and here they're paired with sticky red onions and roasted beetroot for the perfect way to cook chicken and beetroot together.

The addition of pouched grains makes this Sticky Chicken with Beetroot and Red Onion recipe hearty, and perfect for dinner as the nights get cooler.

Why you will love this chicken and beetroot traybake recipe:

It's the perfect dish to take us from summer to autumn. Seasonal beetroot combines with hearty grains and autumnal colours for the perfect September supper.
It all cooks in one pan as you're using pouched grains, cutting down on the washing up!
This chicken traybake only takes an hour to make and about half of that time is hands-off roasting time, so it's a great dinner to make when you've got other things to be getting on with.

Ingredients:

Bunch of raw beetroot - scrubbed clean and cut into wedges. Red beetroot will give this recipe it's beautiful colour, but other varieties will still be delicious.

Red onion - cut into wedges.

Bone in, skin on chicken thighs - you want to use bone in chicken so it stays moist and flavourful during roasting, and with the skin on to add a lovely crispy bit of texture to the dish.

Olive oil - something mild and light for roasting.

Pomegranate molasses - this can be found in most supermarkets or online. We love Odysea's one for flavour.

Balsamic vinegar - choose a good quality, thick one that is a bit like syrup, rather than a fully liquid one with the same viscocity of red wine vinegar for the best results.

Sugar - any will do!

Garlic cloves - crushed.

Pouches of mixed grains - Merchant Gourmet sell really good ones.

Fresh mint

Fresh parsley

Feta - crumbled, or your favourite dairy free alternative!

Full recipe can be found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, just scroll down!

Close up of chicken thighs and beetroot with a feta and herb garnish.

Substitutions and Variations:

Rainbow beetroot - if you want to add yet more colour to this roasted chicken thigh dish, use a mixture of red and golden beetroot to add a sunset hue to the pan.

Beans or lentils - if you don't fancy making this with grains, or you want to up the protein level use a pouch of lentils or a drained or rinse jar of white beans or butter beans in place of the mixed grains.

Goat's cheese - this would make a lovely substitute for the feta!

Cooking Tips:

Wear gloves to chop the beetroot - wear disposable gloves, or your washing up gloves (making sure they're very clean first) to chop the beetroot to avoid staining your fingers pink. You only have to worry about this with the red variety, golden and candy striped beetroot won't stain your fingers.

Quarter eaten platted of chicken with beetroot, red onion and mixed grains.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I serve with this Sticky Chicken recipe?

We love that this is a one pan meal that is delicious by itself, but a simple green salad on the side with a punchy dressing would be a great accompaniment.

Are there any other vegetables that would work with this traybake?

You could add sweet potato as it usually cooks at the same rate as the beetroot and would add some lovely orange colour to the pan, and leaning into the autumnal vibes wedges of apple would get sweet, soft and caramelised added at the same time as the chicken. This dish is great for experimentation with your own combinations!

Other recipes you might enjoy:

We're big fans of chicken here at Desert Island Dishes for an easy weeknight dinner! If you don't have the ingredients at the moment to make this Sticky Roasted Chicken number, why not try a curry with our Easy Almond Butter Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk, or our super simple Chicken Katsu Curry recipe? If you're looking for another roasting tin number our Easy Peri Peri Chicken recipe is sure to hit the spot, as is our Chicken Flatbread with Greek Yogurt if you're looking for something a bit different!

Made this recipe and loved it?

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