Lemon & Herb Leftover Chicken Traybake

Ingredients

• 500g cooked chicken, shredded or diced
• 500g baby potatoes, halved or quartered
• 1 large red onion, cut into thick wedges
• 2 bell peppers (any colour), deseeded and roughly chopped
• 200g cherry tomatoes, left whole
• 1 large zucchini, cut into thick half-moons
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, roughly chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 large lemon, half zested and juiced, half thinly sliced
• 1/2 tsp red chilli flakes (optional, for a little kick)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Step-By-Step Instructions

1. 1

   First things first, let's get that oven fired up and ready to rock! Preheat your oven to a piping hot 200°C (180°C fan/Gas Mark 6). Grab your biggest baking tray – we want everything to have plenty of space to roast and get beautifully golden. Now, let’s get those veggies prepped! Wash and chop your baby potatoes, red onion, bell peppers, and zucchini. Remember, we're going for rustic chunks here, nothing too dainty, so they can stand up to the heat and get lovely and tender with those gorgeous caramelised edges. Don't forget to mince your garlic and roughly chop your fresh herbs, too; these are going to infuse everything with incredible flavour.

2. 2

   In a super big mixing bowl, combine your chopped potatoes, red onion, bell peppers, zucchini, and whole cherry tomatoes. Drizzle generously with the olive oil, then sprinkle over the minced garlic, fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, dried oregano, chilli flakes (if you're using them for that cheeky little kick!), and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Now, get your hands in there and give everything a really good toss! You want every single piece of veg to be beautifully coated in that oily, herby goodness. This ensures maximum flavour and a brilliant roast, so don't be shy – get stuck in!

3. 3

   Tip all those perfectly coated veggies onto your large baking tray, spreading them out into a single, even layer. This is crucial for them to roast properly and not steam. Pop the tray into your preheated oven and let them do their thing for about 15 minutes. During this time, they’ll start to soften, release their delicious aromas, and begin to get those lovely, slightly caramelised edges that we all adore. Keep an eye on them; we're building up layers of flavour here, so give them a little shake halfway through if you like, just to ensure even cooking.

4. 4

   Now for the star of the show – your lovely cooked chicken! After the vegetables have had their initial 15 minutes, carefully pull the baking tray out of the oven. Scatter your shredded or diced cooked chicken evenly over the partly roasted vegetables. Next, sprinkle over the zest of half your lemon and squeeze the juice from that same half directly over the chicken and veggies. Finally, arrange the thinly sliced lemon rounds from the other half of your lemon amongst the ingredients on the tray. Give it all a gentle stir to combine the chicken and lemon with the warming veggies, making sure everything is nestled nicely together.

5. 5

   Return the tray to the oven for another 10-12 minutes. During this final stretch, the chicken will heat through beautifully, absorbing all those fantastic lemon and herb flavours. The lemon slices will slightly caramelise, releasing their incredible aroma, and the vegetables will become perfectly tender and golden-brown, with some lovely crispy bits. You’ll know it’s ready when the chicken is piping hot all the way through, the vegetables are tender with a vibrant colour, and your kitchen smells absolutely divine! This is where the magic happens, so enjoy that incredible smell as it fills your home.

6. 6

   Once everything is cooked to perfection, carefully remove the tray from the oven. If you like, scatter a handful of fresh chopped parsley over the top for a final flourish of colour and freshness – it really makes it pop! Serve this incredible Lemon & Herb Leftover Chicken Traybake straight from the tray, family-style, with a big smile and maybe a cheeky glass of something lovely. It’s a brilliant, fuss-free meal that proves leftovers can be truly spectacular and bursting with flavour. Enjoy every single zesty, herby bite, my friends!