When it comes to deciding on dinner options, the task can be daunting, especially with many so-called “quick and easy” recipes requiring a long list of ingredients and complicated steps. This is why I often lean towards traybakes or one-pot meals when exploring new recipes online.
Traybakes offer a convenient solution for family meals, as they involve preparing chicken and vegetables together in a single tray in the oven.
I have a preference for chicken traybake recipes, and I recently tried two recipes that particularly impressed me, both from renowned chefs: Rick Stein and Mary Berry.
Among the recipes I experimented with were Rick Stein’s chicken, lemon, and garlic traybake and Mary Berry’s Mediterranean all-in-one chicken. After making both dishes, there was one that I ended up cooking three times in a month.
Mary Berry’s Mediterranean all-in-one chicken recipe is a simple yet flavorful dish that combines succulent chicken with colorful vegetables, all seasoned to perfection for a burst of taste.
The recipe suggests one chicken thigh and one drumstick per serving, but adjustments can be made for smaller portions if needed. While I mostly followed the recipe, I made two modifications, omitting green olives and extending the roasting time after adding courgettes.
Although the traybake turned out delicious, if I were to make it again, I might replace preserved lemons with regular lemons to suit my taste preferences better.
In Rick Stein’s chicken traybake recipe, he recommends using chicken thighs on a bed of fennel, courgette slices, and baby potatoes. Similar to Mary Berry’s version, lemons are a key ingredient, but Rick’s recipe opts for fresh lemons, enhancing the overall flavor of the dish.
The initial step of pan-searing the chicken before baking results in beautifully crispy skin and tender meat, elevating the dish’s texture and taste.
While Rick Stein’s recipe may involve a bit more preparation, the end result in terms of flavor is notably superior. I have prepared this dish three times in the past month alone.
I also appreciated the simplicity of ingredients and lower cost associated with Rick Stein’s traybake recipe compared to Mary Berry’s more luxurious option.
