Sheet-Pan Roast Chicken and Mustard-Glazed Cabbage

Sheet-Pan Roast Chicken and Mustard-Glazed Cabbage
Andrew Purcell for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Barrett Washburne.
Total Time
45 minutes
Rating
4(2,286)
Notes
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This hearty one-pan meal is inspired by the classic combination of sausage and sauerkraut, but with chicken in place of pork and fresh cabbage instead of fermented. Cabbage slices are brushed with a simple mustard vinaigrette, then roasted underneath chicken thighs that have been seasoned with cumin and coriander. In the heat of the oven, the chicken crisps, the cabbage softens and the red onion becomes jammy and sweet. Serve with crusty bread and additional mustard on the side.

Learn: How to Make a Sheet-Pan Dinner

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Ingredients

Yield:4 to 6 servings
  • ½cup olive oil, plus more for brushing and drizzling
  • 2tablespoons stone-ground coarse mustard, plus more for serving
  • 4garlic cloves, minced
  • 4teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 4teaspoons cumin seeds
  • Kosher salt and black pepper
  • 1medium head green cabbage (about 2½ pounds)
  • 2medium red onions, peeled, then cut into ½-inch rounds
  • ¼cup drained capers
  • teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1teaspoon ground cumin
  • 6bone-in, skin-in chicken thighs (about 3 pounds total)
  • Torn fresh parsley, dill or arugula sprigs, for garnish
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

667 calories; 51 grams fat; 11 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 27 grams monounsaturated fat; 9 grams polyunsaturated fat; 18 grams carbohydrates; 7 grams dietary fiber; 8 grams sugars; 36 grams protein; 1062 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup olive oil with the mustard, garlic, vinegar and cumin seeds. Season generously with salt and pepper.

  2. Step 2

    Prepare the cabbage: Halve the cabbage lengthwise through the core, then cut each half into 1-inch-thick wedges. (Make sure to continue cutting lengthwise through the core to keep the pieces intact.) You should have about 16 pieces.

  3. Step 3

    Add the cabbage wedges to a large (13-by-18-inch) baking sheet. Brush all the wedges with half the vinaigrette, then carefully turn and brush the other side with remaining vinaigrette. Arrange in an even layer, then season generously with salt and pepper. On a separate baking sheet, brush the red onion rounds with olive oil on both sides; season generously with salt and pepper. Add the onion rounds to the cabbage wedges, interspersing the red onion and cabbage and tucking some onion rounds partly underneath. Sprinkle the capers evenly on top.

  4. Step 4

    Prepare the chicken: In a small bowl, toss the coriander and cumin with 1 tablespoon salt and 1½ teaspoons pepper. Place the chicken on the sheet pan where you oiled the onions and drizzle with olive oil all over, then rub the seasoning all over the chicken. Arrange the chicken pieces on top of the cabbage and onions, skin-side up.

  5. Step 5

    Transfer to the oven and roast until the chicken is cooked through and the cabbage is lightly browned in spots and tender, about 35 to 40 minutes. Top with parsley or dill and serve immediately, passing more mustard on the side.

Ratings

4 out of 5
2,286 user ratings
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Cooking Notes

After reading the comments, I cooked the cabbage for 30 minutes prior to adding the onions and chicken. It was fantastic. Everyone agreed that the amount of red onion could be cut in half.

Tonight I made it a second time and decided it is my all time favorite meal! I was reading others’ comments and in regards to the cabbage cooking time- I wonder if the people saying it was taking too long were using a traditional green cabbage? I used Savoy cabbage both times and it cooked perfectly with no extra time needed. Savoy cabbage leaves are softer and crinklier and absorb the dressing and caramelize beautifully.

Great I'll be trying this combination because I am not a fan of sauerkraut, no matter how healthy it may be! And one pan / pot / casserole or sheet pan meals are becoming my go to method because I find myself increasingly appreciating flavours melding together during cooking. In my kitchen only one sheet pan will be used as hand washing even one extra pan just to brush onions with oil is both avoidable & unnecessary.

I made this dish tonight exactly as the recipe dictated and all the veggies cooked perfectly - 425 for 45 minutes. I did cut the cabbage into 10 wedges instead of 8, maybe it made a difference since they were slightly thinner.

I made this for dinner last night and we loved it. I used the ingredients I had on hand - boneless, skinless thighs and dijon mustard. I had no cumin seeds or coriander, so subbed ground cumin. My slices of cabbage were smaller than 1/16th wedges, so they cooked just fine and I thought the red onion made the dish, so I wouldn't use less. This is a forgiving recipe I loved how the flavors complemented each other and added this recipe to my go-to stack.

I was worried about the thickness of the cabbage wedges and the idea of leaving the core attached, with good reason. After 40 minutes the chicken and onions were perfect but the cabbage still needed cooking to achieve that soft, sweet texture I was expecting. I ended up putting the cabbage in a pot, adding some apple juice (it was handy) and simmering the cabbage to a softer texture...but the core pieces were inedible.

Cooked this evening and turned out great. Used 4 chicken thighs instead of 6 because thighs came in packs of 4. I ended up throwing out some of the spice mixture that goes on chicken since I only had 4 thighs. Used same amount of veggies and other ingredients.

The mustard glazed cabbage and onions might make a nice vegetarian side dish.

Very yummy and innovative recipe- you get the depth of flavor of sauerkraut without the long process of fermentation! A few adaptations to the recipe- I personally like chicken that is more flavorful and tender- so I brined the chicken for about 4-5 hours before cooking. I made a simple brine of salt, brown sugar, pepper, and bay leaves- it made the chicken so delicious and tender! Also, I subbed red cabbage instead of green. Super delish!

Per some suggestions, cut cabbage and onion to 1/2 inch. Roasted in 450* oven for 15 min, added sliced fresh sausage for another 15-20 min. Perfect.

"I made this for dinner last night and we loved it. I used the ingredients I had on hand - boneless, skinless thighs and dijon mustard. I had no cumin seeds or coriander, so subbed ground cumin. My slices of cabbage were smaller than 1/16th wedges, so they cooked just fine and I thought the red onion made the dish, so I wouldn't use less. This is a forgiving recipe I loved how the flavors complemented each other and added this recipe to my go-to stack."

Made this dish tonight and loved it though will double the garlic and herbs next time. Convection for the last 10 minutes made the skin very crispy. Added baby potatoes with oli, salt and pepper around the edge and they were a nice addition. Dill at the end was great.

Followed recipe exactly, and it turned out beautifully. I was concerned the veg chix would not brown as it was far more crowded on my sheet pan than in the photo. So I put the veg in the oven for 5-10 min ahead to let some of their steam cook off and then added thighs. All came out perfect; veggies were saucy, browned in spots, and tasted divine with the schmalz, and the chicken skin was crispy. Served with roasted kabocha. Next time will try with caraway and fennel for cumin.

I bought the tiniest cabbage I could find and sliced thinner than 1/2”. Only used one red onion and also sliced thinner than directed. Otherwise followed directions exactly and this was oh so delicious! This was my second attempt at this recipe. the first time, following directions exactly, the veggies overcrowded the pan leaving a lot of water after cooking and no crispy, caramelized anything. If you are going to use the direct amount of veg I would spread between two pans.

I added small halved red and yellow potatoes to the pan. I also sautéed diced butternut squash with a bit of balsamic glaze to add a bit of sweetness on the side. This dish is wonderful in its mingling of flavors. I used boneless and skinless thighs.

cabbage is tough. something not right

Made this for 2 using 1/2 a two and a half pound cabbage and one red onion and half of everything else. The timing was perfect and everything was perfectly cooked, but we don’t like soggy cabbage. Absolutely delicious!

Not sure why I wasted the money on capers, they burned up during cooking. Agree- less red onion is better. The cabbage was my favorite part

I made this with Brussels sprouts instead and it was great. I just tossed both the onion and sprouts in the dressing and simply seasoned the chicken. Baked for about 40 min when all was said & done. Brussels crisped great, the onions could have crisped more, and I had to be careful to not overdo the chicken. Just shows that this is a versatile recipe, friendly to minor modifications. The dressing at the beginning is really the key to this dish!

I only had boneless, skinless thighs, so I sliced the cabbage a little more thinly into rounds, and just rolled everything around in the oil mixture instead of brushing it. (It was late and everyone was starving.) Cooked it all for 30 minutes while cubed sweet and gold potatoes fried on the stove with some garlic. It was a super quick dinner, and it looked exactly the photograph.

This was a winner. I don’t have a big enough sheet pan for a single layer here so not as crisp, but my cabbage definitely cooked through and the flavors were excellent.

I made this and was surprised how well it turned out! My husband had seconds which surprised me. I broiled the cabbage for 15 minutes separately and then added everything else. I did use some white beans, which toasted first in the air fryer and they really enhanced the dish. This was nice and different.

Delicious. I used 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs and halved everything else. The cabbage wound up in pieces - I cut out the core altogether. I baked the cabbage, onions and capers for 10 minutes before adding the chicken, as others suggested. I added small potatoes, halved, with the vegetables. Baked another 35 minutes. Very yummy.

Made this with red cabbage and 1/2 a chicken, so I cut amounts and subbed herbs de Provence for the cumin and coriander as that's what I had. It was wonderful. The cabbage was savory, meaty and well cooked sitting under the chicken. Easy but flavorful and unexpectedly good. I can't wait to do this again, with chicken or maybe even a pork loin. Roast cabbage wedges. Who knew???

Made this exactly as written except used Napa cabbage and added new potatoes. I cut the cabbage precisely as instructed and it was just right, some pieces a little crispy and all pieces tender. I’m not crazy about all of the cumin seeds and I don’t think I’d make this again based purely on flavor preference, but it’s a solid recipe. Maybe would be better with sausage.

I added a shallot and honey to taste and it definitely elevated the vinaigrette

This was quite easy and very yummy. I used savoy cabbage, which was already in my fridge. Had only sweet onions, not red. I don't think it made a bit of difference. The recipe works quite easily and I enjoyed a lovely meal.

Outstanding, and so easy to prepare. Coated thighs with spices several hours before, let rest on tray in fridge. Used Savoy cabbage and the edges got all crispy and dark brown. Served w/leftover brown rice.

Less salt in meat rub and add ground fennel seed to it. Dry and rub chicken at least an hour before cooking let sit uncovered in fridge.

Less salt, add fennel seed and garlic to meat rub. Put rub on meat an hour before cooking.

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