Introduction

This Sheet Pan Hot Honey Garlic Chicken and Zucchini is an easy, flavorful weeknight dinner that comes together quickly. Tender chicken and tender-crisp zucchini are coated in a smoky, spicy, and sweet hot honey garlic sauce, making every bite irresistible.

The image shows a bowl filled with a colorful layered meal. At the bottom is a layer of white rice with a fluffy texture. On top of the rice, there are golden brown fried chicken pieces coated in a crispy, slightly shiny coating. Scattered around and under the chicken are slices of grilled green zucchini and yellow squash, seasoned with black pepper. Fresh green herbs and chopped green onions are sprinkled on top and around the chicken, adding a fresh, leafy green color. Small spots of white sauce are drizzled over some of the chicken pieces. The bowl is white with a speckled texture, sitting on a white marbled surface. Nearby, a jar of red sauce garnished with green herbs is partially visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 pounds chicken breasts or thighs, cut into cubes
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free alternative)
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 zucchini or yellow summer squash, sliced
1/2 cup hot sauce
6 tablespoons salted butter
4–6 cloves garlic, chopped
3/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
1–2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
1/4 cup honey
Blue cheese or ranch dressing, for serving
Avocado, basil, sliced green onions, for serving

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with oil.
Step 2: On the baking sheet, toss the chicken cubes with smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Then add the flour and toss again to coat evenly. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and toss to combine. Arrange the chicken on one side of the sheet.
Step 3: On the other side of the baking sheet, add the sliced zucchini. Toss with the remaining olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place the sheet pan in the oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and zucchini is tender-crisp.
Step 4: While the chicken and zucchini bake, prepare the sauce. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt together the hot sauce, butter, chopped garlic, chipotle chili powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir until fully combined and melted. Remove from heat and stir in the honey. Season with salt to taste.
Step 5: Pour the hot honey garlic sauce evenly over the chicken, then toss the chicken gently in the sauce to coat.
Step 6: Return the baking sheet to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to bake onto the chicken for a sticky, flavorful finish.
Step 7: Serve the chicken and zucchini hot, garnished with avocado chunks, fresh basil, sliced green onions, and your choice of blue cheese or ranch dressing. This dish pairs beautifully with rice or crispy french fries.

Tips & Variations

For a milder dish, reduce or omit the cayenne pepper and chipotle chili powder.
Swap zucchini with yellow squash or thinly sliced bell peppers for variety.
Use boneless, skinless thighs for juicier chicken or breasts for a leaner option.
Try swapping hot sauce for a smoky BBQ sauce for a different flavor twist.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave to preserve the sauce’s texture. Avoid overheating to keep the chicken tender and the zucchini from becoming mushy.

How to Serve

A large white bowl filled with a base layer of fluffy white rice covers the bottom. On top, there are many pieces of dark brown, crispy fried chicken scattered all over. Mixed in with the chicken are slices of cooked yellow and green zucchini, adding a soft texture and color contrast. Fresh green herbs and thinly sliced green onions are sprinkled generously across the dish, giving a fresh look. Some small dollops of white sauce are placed on top of the chicken pieces. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, with some fresh green leaves scattered around. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

It’s best to use fresh or fully thawed chicken for even cooking. If using frozen, thaw completely before preparing.

How spicy is this dish?

The dish has a moderate heat level thanks to the hot sauce and spices, but you can adjust the cayenne and chipotle powders to suit your taste.