This oven-baked buttermilk chicken and potatoes is a comforting and easy sheet pan meal that utilizes an otherwise wasted product—curdled milk (or buttermilk). The crispy chicken and tender potatoes, combined with a savory marinade, make this dish a perfect weeknight meal. The buttermilk marinade helps keep the chicken juicy and tender while infusing a unique flavor. Plus, this simple recipe is great for serving a large group!

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken (cut into parts, such as thighs, wings, and drumsticks) – approx. 1 kg

• ¼ cup olive oil

• ¼ cup red wine vinegar

• ½ cup soy sauce

• 1 cup buttermilk or sour milk

• 1 teaspoon Herbes de Provence seasoning

• 1 teaspoon ground ginger

• 8 barberries (optional)

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 teaspoon salt (plus more for potatoes)

• 2 pounds potatoes (your choice)

Directions

1. Prepare the Marinade: Preheat the oven to 360°F (180°C). In a large bowl, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, soy sauce, buttermilk, Herbes de Provence, ground ginger, barberries, black pepper, and salt.

2. Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and mix well. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for about 2 hours to let the chicken soak in the flavors.

3. Prepare the Potatoes: While the chicken marinates, wash and cut the potatoes. If using large potatoes, cut them into wedges. If using small new potatoes, halve them.

4. Assemble the Dish: Place the marinated chicken on a large baking sheet or roasting pan. Surround it with the potatoes. Drizzle the potatoes with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Pour about ¼ cup of the remaining marinade over the chicken.

5. Bake: Transfer the pan to the oven and bake for about 45 minutes, basting the chicken occasionally. The chicken should be golden brown and cooked through.

Nutrients

• Calories: 164 kcal per serving

• Protein: 14g

• Fat: 11g

• Saturated Fat: 3g

• Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g

• Monounsaturated Fat: 5g

• Trans Fat: 1g

• Cholesterol: 57mg

• Sodium: 53mg

• Potassium: 144mg

• Vitamin A: 107 IU

• Vitamin C: 1mg

• Calcium: 8mg

• Iron: 1mg

The Magic of Buttermilk in Cooking

Buttermilk is a staple in many kitchens, but it often goes underappreciated. The natural acidity of buttermilk helps tenderize meats, particularly chicken, making it a great marinade ingredient. The lactic acid in buttermilk breaks down the proteins in the meat, allowing it to absorb more flavor and retain moisture. This makes the chicken in this recipe incredibly juicy and tender, even after baking in the oven. Buttermilk also contributes a subtle tangy flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish.

Using buttermilk as the base for a marinade helps to achieve a perfectly crispy outer layer on the chicken while keeping the interior moist. It creates a beautiful contrast of textures, with the outside developing a rich, golden brown crust and the inside remaining succulent. This is the reason why buttermilk is often used in fried chicken recipes—its ability to provide both flavor and moisture retention is unrivaled.

The Role of Marinade in Flavor Development

Marinating chicken before cooking is a key technique in developing deeper, more complex flavors. In this recipe, the buttermilk marinade is enhanced with a combination of red wine vinegar, soy sauce, Herbes de Provence, and ground ginger. The vinegar adds acidity, which balances the richness of the buttermilk and enhances the chicken’s natural flavor. Soy sauce brings a savory umami quality that infuses the chicken with depth, while Herbes de Provence offers a fragrant, herby aroma that complements the other ingredients.

Ground ginger adds a subtle spice to the marinade, giving it an unexpected warmth that pairs beautifully with the savory elements. Barberries, which are optional, provide a touch of tartness and a pop of color, adding another layer of flavor. The balance of these ingredients in the marinade creates a harmonious, savory profile that envelops the chicken, ensuring each bite is packed with flavor.

Why Sheet Pan Meals Are Ideal for Weeknights

Sheet pan meals, like this oven-baked buttermilk chicken and potatoes, have become a popular choice for busy families and individuals looking for a hassle-free dinner option. One of the key benefits of sheet pan meals is their simplicity—everything cooks together on a single pan, reducing prep time and cleanup. In this recipe, the chicken and potatoes are baked together, allowing the flavors to meld as they cook. The chicken releases its juices while roasting, which flavors the potatoes, and the potatoes help to keep the chicken from drying out during baking.

Sheet pan meals are also incredibly versatile. You can easily adjust the ingredients based on what you have on hand. For example, you could swap out the potatoes for other vegetables like carrots, Brussels sprouts, or sweet potatoes, creating a more customized version of the dish. The ability to use one pan for everything makes this recipe ideal for busy weeknights when you want a delicious meal with minimal effort.

The Perfectly Roasted Potatoes

Potatoes are the perfect companion for roasted chicken, especially when they are roasted on the same pan. As the chicken cooks, the potatoes absorb some of the chicken’s savory juices, making them flavorful and tender. The key to perfectly roasted potatoes is seasoning them well and ensuring they are cooked evenly. In this recipe, the potatoes are coated with olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper, which allows them to crisp up in the oven while remaining soft inside.

If you’re using large potatoes, it’s best to cut them into wedges to ensure they cook evenly with the chicken. For smaller new potatoes, halving them is sufficient. The result is a golden-brown, crispy exterior with a creamy interior that pairs perfectly with the juicy chicken. The potatoes act as a side dish while simultaneously absorbing the flavors of the chicken, making them an integral part of the meal.

Customizing the Dish for Different Tastes

While this recipe is delicious on its own, it offers many opportunities for customization to suit your personal taste preferences. If you enjoy a little heat, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes or some cayenne pepper to the marinade. For a more robust flavor, you could experiment with adding garlic powder, onion powder, or smoked paprika. These spices would give the dish a more complex flavor profile without overpowering the other ingredients.

For those who prefer a more tangy or sweet note, you can add a spoonful of honey to the marinade or use balsamic vinegar in place of the red wine vinegar. If you enjoy a citrusy twist, a splash of lemon juice or zest would pair wonderfully with the tanginess of the buttermilk. The beauty of this dish lies in its flexibility, so feel free to adjust the seasoning and ingredients to match your family’s preferences.

The Health Benefits of Buttermilk and Potatoes

Buttermilk and potatoes may not immediately be associated with health-conscious meals, but both ingredients have nutritional benefits that make them a great choice for a balanced meal. Buttermilk is lower in fat and calories compared to cream, making it a healthier alternative in many dishes. It is also a good source of calcium and protein, which are essential for bone health and muscle repair. The probiotics found in buttermilk can also aid in digestion, making it a beneficial addition to your diet.

Potatoes are an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, providing energy for the body. They are rich in vitamins and minerals, including potassium, vitamin C, and B vitamins, which support overall health. When roasted with olive oil, potatoes offer heart-healthy monounsaturated fats that contribute to a balanced diet. The combination of buttermilk-marinated chicken and roasted potatoes makes for a satisfying meal that provides a good balance of protein, fiber, and healthy fats.

Perfect for Feeding a Group

This oven-baked buttermilk chicken and potatoes recipe is ideal for feeding a larger group, making it an excellent option for family dinners, gatherings, or meal prepping for the week ahead. Since the dish can be easily scaled up by adjusting the quantities of chicken and potatoes, it’s easy to make enough to serve a crowd. The one-pan nature of the recipe means that you don’t need multiple pots and pans, simplifying both preparation and cleanup.

The versatility of the dish also means that you can accommodate various dietary preferences by adding different vegetables or serving the chicken and potatoes with a side salad. Whether you’re preparing a meal for a family of four or hosting a larger group, this recipe can easily be adapted to suit your needs.

Conclusion

Oven-baked buttermilk chicken and potatoes is a flavorful and comforting sheet pan meal that is both easy to make and incredibly satisfying. The buttermilk marinade ensures that the chicken remains juicy and tender while infusing it with a unique depth of flavor. The potatoes, seasoned and roasted alongside the chicken, make the perfect complement to the dish, absorbing the savory juices and becoming golden brown and crispy. This recipe is a great choice for busy weeknights, offering a simple yet delicious meal that can easily be customized to suit your preferences. With its ease of preparation and crowd-pleasing flavors, this dish is sure to become a staple in your recipe rotation.