Low-carb sheet pan dinners are a popular meal prep trend for busy weeknights. To make a successful sheet pan dinner, preheat your oven, choose low-carb ingredients such as protein, vegetables, and healthy fats, cut your ingredients evenly, choose your seasonings and sauces carefully, arrange the ingredients on a sheet pan, and bake according to recipe instructions. Try the recipe for a low-carb sheet pan dinner that includes chicken, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, and red onion, coated in a mixture of olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper, baked for 25-30 minutes until cooked through.
Low-Carb Sheet Pan Dinners for Busy Weeknights
Introduction
Sheet pan dinners have quickly become a popular trend in the world of meal prep. Not only do they require minimal cleanup, but they are also a great way to incorporate a variety of ingredients into a single dish. Moreover, low-carb sheet pan dinners are an ideal option for busy weeknights when you want to make something that is both quick and healthy. In this article, we will discuss a step-by-step guide and recipe for creating delicious low-carb sheet pan dinners that are perfect for busy weeknights.
Step-by-Step Guide
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s go over some essential steps for making a successful sheet pan dinner.
1. Preheat Your Oven
When making a sheet pan dinner, it is essential to preheat your oven properly. This will ensure that your ingredients cook evenly and your meal turns out delicious. Preheat your oven to 425°F before starting.
2. Choose Your Ingredients
The possibilities are endless when it comes to sheet pan dinners. However, to create a low-carb meal, you will need to choose ingredients that are low in carbohydrates. Some examples of low-carb ingredients include:
- Protein – chicken, turkey, beef, pork, tofu, etc.
- Vegetables – broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, eggplant, peppers, etc.
- Healthy Fats – avocado, nuts, seeds, olives, etc.
3. Cut Your Ingredients Evenly
It is important to cut your ingredients evenly, so they cook evenly. For example, if you cut your vegetables too thick, they may not fully cook, leaving you with a crunchy and raw dinner. On the other hand, if you cut your vegetables too thin, they may become overcooked and mushy. A good rule of thumb is to cut your ingredients into uniform-sized pieces.
4. Choose Your Seasonings and Sauces
The right seasoning and sauce can turn a basic sheet pan dinner into a mouth-watering meal. However, when creating a low-carb dinner, you need to choose your seasonings and sauces carefully, as many of them contain added sugars and carbohydrates. Opt for herbs, garlic, and spices instead of store-bought sauces and marinades.
5. Arrange Ingredients on a Sheet Pan
Once you have your ingredients ready to go, you can start arranging them on a sheet pan. Make sure to spread your ingredients evenly throughout the pan and leave some space between each item to prevent overcrowding.
6. Bake According to Recipe Instructions
Finally, it’s time to bake your low-carb sheet pan dinner! The baking time will vary depending on the recipe and the ingredients you use. However, in general, most sheet pan dinners should be baked for around 25-30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender and the meat is cooked through. Make sure to follow the recipe instructions carefully and regularly check on your dinner to prevent overcooking.
Recipe
Now that we’ve covered the basics, here is a recipe for a delicious low-carb sheet pan dinner that is perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- 1/2 cup red onion, sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- Add chicken, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, and red onion to a large sheet pan.
- Pour the olive oil mixture over the ingredients and toss until everything is coated.
- Arrange the ingredients evenly on the sheet pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
Conclusion
Low-carb sheet pan dinners are an easy and healthy option for busy weeknights. By following our step-by-step guide and recipe, you can make a delicious and satisfying meal in no time at all. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and seasonings to create your unique version of this versatile dish.