Deciding on dinner options can be a tricky task, especially when many supposedly “quick and easy” recipes come with a long list of ingredients and multiple steps. That’s why I often lean towards traybakes or one-pot meals when browsing for new recipes online.

These dishes offer a convenient way to feed the family, with chicken and vegetables cooked together in a single large tray in the oven.

I have a fondness for chicken traybake recipes, and two standout versions I’ve tried come from celebrity chefs Rick Stein and Mary Berry.

After making both Rick Stein’s chicken, lemon, and garlic traybake and Mary Berry’s Mediterranean all-in-one chicken, one of them became a regular in my monthly cooking routine.

Mary Berry’s Mediterranean all-in-one chicken recipe is a simple yet flavorful dish that combines juicy chicken with colorful vegetables, seasoned to perfection.

While the original recipe suggests one chicken thigh and drumstick per serving, adjustments can be made for smaller appetites. I personally omitted green olives and extended the roasting time after adding courgettes.

Although delicious, I would consider swapping preserved lemons for regular lemons in this traybake for a less briny taste.

Rick Stein’s chicken traybake focuses on using chicken thighs atop a bed of fennel, courgette slices, and baby potatoes. Fresh lemons add a vibrant taste to both the chicken and veggies, creating a delightful flavor profile.

The chicken in Rick’s recipe is seared before baking, resulting in a crispy skin and tender meat. Despite requiring more prep work, the dish’s flavor outcome is worth the effort, making it a repeat favorite in my kitchen.

I appreciate the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of Rick Stein’s traybake compared to Mary Berry’s pricier alternative.