Embrace the flavours of fall with my nourishing and fuss-free Sheet Pan Ginger Orange Chicken with Winter Vegetables. This healthy comfort food recipe combines the vibrant zest of oranges, the warmth of ginger, and a hint of maple syrup to create a delightful medley of tastes. The best part? It’s a sheet pan meal, so you won’t have to worry about extra dishes piling up. Just toss the chicken and veggies in the aromatic ginger orange sauce, pop them on a large sheet pan, and let the oven work its magic. In no time, you’ll have a delicious meal that’s perfect for those chilly autumn evenings. Plus, it’s gluten-free!

Keep scrolling for the full recipe, health benefits, and a cozy chicken recipe roundup to help you make the most of fall’s flavours!

Sheet Pan Ginger Orange Chicken with Winter Vegetables Recipe

Gluten-free | Dairy-free

Ingredients

• 1 small orange, zested (½ tsp) and juiced (½ cup)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp avocado oil
• 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 2 tsp peeled and grated ginger
• ½ tbsp minced fresh thyme
• ½ tsp each sea salt and ground black pepper
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
• 8 chicken thighs
• 3 large carrots, diced into bite-sized pieces
• 2 large parsnips, diced into bite-sized pieces
• 2 ribs of celery, 
• 1 red onion, sliced

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. 
2. In a large bowl make the ginger orange sauce by whisking together the orange zest and juice, garlic, oil, maple syrup, ginger, thyme, salt, pepper and pepper flakes.
3. Place the chicken and veggies in the large bowl with the ginger orange sauce and toss until evenly coated.  
4. Place chicken and veggies on a large sheet pan and bake for 35 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165F) and the veggies are tender.

Health Benefits of Ginger

With ginger being one of the stars of this Sheet Pan Ginger Orange Chicken recipe, I wanted to highlight all of the fantastic health benefits you’ll get when you incorporate ginger into your fall flavour palate!

Ginger provides relief of digestive discomfort by relaxing the intestinal tract, reducing gas, and alleviating nausea associated with conditions like motion sickness, seasickness, and morning sickness.

Ginger offers robust anti-inflammatory protection, effectively alleviating symptoms of arthritis and pain caused by inflammation.

In addition to its remarkable anti-nausea properties, ginger also improves circulation.

Ginger enhances immunity and helps regulate blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of gestational diabetes. It also aids in nutrient absorption, promoting optimal health.

Health Benefits of Oranges

We all know oranges are packed with health-boosting goodness. It’s no secret that they’re a stellar source of vitamin C, aiding our immune system and giving our skin a collagen boost. But the benefits of oranges go beyond that!

These vibrant citrus fruits are brimming with essential minerals like calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, and potassium.

What’s more, they’re a fantastic folate source, pumping up your energy levels and playing a vital role in preventing birth defects in expecting moms.

As if that’s not enough, oranges also bring anti-inflammatory properties to the table and have a knack for quashing those pesky free radicals floating around in your body.

So next time you reach for this delicious fruit, remember you’re not just satisfying your taste buds – you’re treating your body to a wealth of healthful perks!

Health Benefits of Chicken

When it comes to choosing chicken, I always recommend organic. This choice reduces exposure to hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides, while simultaneously increasing the omega-3 content of the chicken. For an even healthier option, consider purchasing local, small-flock, and pasture-raised chicken. It has tons of health benefits too!

Chicken serves as an excellent source of lean protein. The thighs contain a generous 28 grams of protein per 4 oz serving.

Chicken contains a comprehensive range of B vitamins, crucial for maintaining energy levels.

Particularly high in vitamin B3, chicken aids in converting dietary carbohydrates, and proteins. Chicken is also a rich source of minerals like selenium, delivering antioxidant protection and supporting normal thyroid function.

Savour The Flavours Of The Season With Your Team

If you love winter vegetables like the ones we use in this Sheet Pan Ginger Orange Chicken, then I have just the thing for you! Savour all of the flavours of fall in my Fall Flavours Cooking Class! This is the perfect activity to get your team in the fall spirit! These cooking classes not only bring your team together but also allow employees to develop valuable skills in the kitchen.

Together we’ll craft a delightful Harvest Salad that not only boasts incredible sweetness but also leaves you feeling completely satisfied. For your second recipe, you can treat yourself to a Maple Whisky Sour Cocktail, a delightful nod to happy hour. Or you can opt to get in that greens quota and indulge in the irresistible flavours of the season with Maple Glazed Brussels Sprouts. This class guarantees to pamper your taste buds with the rich and comforting tastes of autumn!

Together let’s welcome fall into the office with these fun health and wellness activities now available virtually or in person! Email me at info@jesselanewellness.com for more details, or check out my Corporate Wellness page for more info on how you can book your team today!

Cozy Chicken Recipe Roundup – Just In Time For Fall!

Sheet Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies

Kicking off our recipe roundup is another sheet pan chicken (because who wants to do extra dishes). Sheet Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies offers a convenient, dish-saving dinner solution. Sheet pan recipes shine on busy weeknights for their simplicity. Although this meal requires a bit of advance planning, as marinating the chicken for at least an hour is optimal, the preparation is actually pretty minimal. Once everything is ready, you can effortlessly pop it in the oven and unwind.

Crunchy Pecan Chicken with Sautéed Ginger Kale

If you love the ginger chicken combo like me, this next recipe will quickly become a family favourite! Crunchy Pecan Chicken with Sautéed Ginger Kale is a comforting fall recipe rich in protein and nutrient-packed dark leafy greens. The chicken, coated with ground pecans, provides a delightful texture and flavour. It complements the sautéed ginger-infused baby kale, crowned with crunchy pecans and savoury feta, creating a warm and wholesome autumn meal.

Dairy-Free Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Lean into cozy fall vibes with my Dairy-Free Chicken Alfredo Pasta, a healthy twist on a beloved comfort food classic. This creamy gourmet delight features a velvety sauce crafted from nutritional yeast and protein-rich cashews, replacing heavy cream. The luscious pasta is adorned with a medley of mushrooms, onions, and spinach to give it an extra nutritional boost. It can even be transformed into a gluten-free delight by opting for brown rice pasta instead of wheat! If your kids are like mine and adore alfredo, you can feel great about serving them this healthified version of their favourite pasta!

Healthy Chicken Noodle Soup

Of course, we couldn’t do a cozy chicken recipe roundup without including everyone’s favourite childhood dish – Chicken Noodle Soup! In the heart of fall, there’s perhaps nothing more comforting than a steaming bowl of wholesome chicken noodle soup. Beyond its soothing qualities, the broth has a remarkable way of extracting nutrients from all the ingredients, ensuring they’re readily absorbed by our bodies. This cozy and healthy chicken noodle soup exudes flavours reminiscent of grandma’s kitchen, and it has immune-boosting properties too. Let’s collectively dub it the new “soup-er” food, shall we?