This Garlic Herb Chicken & Carrot Plate brings together tender chicken breasts and sweet baby carrots in one simple baking dish, ready in under an hour with ingredients you likely have on hand. I remember the first time I made this recipe on a busy Tuesday evening – my kitchen filled with the warm aroma of garlic, thyme, and rosemary, and I knew I’d found a keeper.
There’s something special about a meal that looks impressive but doesn’t keep you in the kitchen all evening. Growing up in the Midwest, Sunday dinners at Grandma’s farm always featured simple, wholesome dishes that brought everyone to the table with anticipation. This garlic herb chicken reminds me of those gatherings – the way the herbs perfume the air as the chicken roasts, the golden edges on those tender carrots, and the satisfaction of serving something that’s both nourishing and delicious. I’ve made this countless times for my own family, and it never fails to deliver. The beauty lies in its simplicity: a handful of herbs, fresh garlic, and good olive oil transform ordinary chicken into something truly memorable. If you love simple herb-roasted dishes, you’ll also want to try my Sheet Pan Lemon Balsamic Chicken & Potatoes for another easy one-pan wonder. Time to get our hands cooking!
What Makes This Garlic Herb Chicken & Carrot Plate So Special
After decades of weeknight cooking, I can tell you that the best recipes are the ones you’ll actually make again and again. This garlic herb chicken checks every box for busy home cooks who still want to serve something wholesome and flavorful. The combination of aromatic herbs with tender chicken and naturally sweet carrots creates a balanced meal that appeals to everyone at the table, from picky eaters to adventurous food lovers.
What you’ll love about this recipe:
- Uses pantry staples you probably already have – dried herbs, garlic, olive oil, and simple seasonings come together beautifully
- Comes together in 40 minutes on busy evenings, with most of that time being hands-off baking
- Delivers consistent, crowd-pleasing results every single time without complicated techniques or special skills
- Adapts easily to dietary preferences and works well with different vegetables or herb combinations
- Creates that perfect combination of juicy, flavorful chicken with tender, caramelized carrots
- Provides 35 grams of protein per serving, making it a satisfying and nutritious family meal
In my kitchen, I prefer recipes that don’t require constant attention. This one-dish wonder lets you prep everything, slide it in the oven, and tend to other things while dinner cooks itself. For another simple garlic-herb favorite, my Garlic Parmesan Chicken & Potatoes One Pan uses a similar approach with equally delicious results.
Ingredient Spotlight
Chicken Breasts form the protein foundation of this dish, and I always choose breasts that are similar in size (about 6-8 oz each) so they cook evenly – boneless, skinless breasts work beautifully and keep the preparation quick.
Baby Carrots bring natural sweetness that intensifies as they roast, and their small size means they cook in the same time as the chicken without any chopping required.
Garlic (minced fresh) infuses the dish with aromatic depth that dried garlic simply can’t match – I’ve found that three cloves hits the sweet spot without overwhelming the herbs.
Olive Oil acts as the carrier for all those wonderful flavors, helping the herbs and garlic coat the chicken evenly while keeping everything moist during baking.
Dried Thyme contributes an earthy, slightly minty note that pairs perfectly with chicken – in my kitchen, I prefer the convenience of dried herbs for weeknight cooking.
Dried Rosemary adds a pine-like, woodsy aroma that makes the whole house smell incredible as this Garlic Herb Chicken & Carrot Plate bakes.
Salt and Pepper enhance all the other flavors and are essential for bringing out the natural taste of the chicken – don’t skimp on proper seasoning.
Fresh Parsley provides a bright, fresh finish that adds color and a hint of herbaceous flavor right before serving.
How to Make Garlic Herb Chicken & Carrot Plate
Step 1. I always start by preheating my oven to 400°F (200°C) so it’s ready when I need it – this temperature creates nicely browned chicken without drying it out.
Step 2. In a mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, minced garlic, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper, stirring well to create your aromatic herb mixture.
Step 3. Place your chicken breasts in the baking dish and coat them thoroughly with the garlic herb mixture, making sure to cover all sides for maximum flavor.
Step 4. Arrange the baby carrots around the chicken in the dish – I’ve learned that spreading them in a single layer helps them roast evenly and caramelize beautifully.
Step 5. Slide the baking dish into your preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and shows no pink inside with clear juices running out.
Step 6. Betty’s tip: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after removing it from the oven, which allows the juices to redistribute for maximum tenderness.
Step 7. Garnish generously with fresh parsley before serving – this final touch adds brightness and makes the Garlic Herb Chicken & Carrot Plate look restaurant-worthy.
Keeping This Garlic Herb Chicken Fresh
This recipe makes wonderful leftovers that my family actually looks forward to the next day. Once the chicken and carrots have cooled completely to room temperature, transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. I typically store the chicken and carrots together, which keeps everything moist and flavorful.
For longer storage, this dish freezes reasonably well for up to 1 month. Betty’s freezing method works well because the herb coating protects the chicken from freezer burn – just make sure to use a freezer-safe airtight container and label it with the date. The texture of the carrots may soften slightly after freezing, but the flavors remain delicious.
For the best texture, I reheat by placing the chicken and carrots in a baking dish, covering with foil, and warming in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through. The microwave works in a pinch (2-3 minutes on medium power), but the oven method keeps the chicken from getting rubbery and helps the carrots maintain some texture.
Perfect Partners for Garlic Herb Chicken
Fluffy white rice or quinoa soaks up any pan juices beautifully and creates a complete, satisfying meal with the protein-rich chicken. For a heartier option, try serving this alongside my Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl for additional inspiration on chicken and rice pairings.
Simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette provides a fresh, crisp contrast to the warm, savory chicken and adds brightness to your plate.
Creamy mashed potatoes bring comfort-food appeal and pair wonderfully with the herb-infused flavors – my grandchildren always request this combination. If you want to make this a complete one-dish meal with potatoes included, check out my Garlic Herb Chicken with Mashed Potatoes and Glazed Carrots.
Roasted broccoli or green beans add another vegetable dimension and round out the nutritional profile while complementing the carrots’ sweetness. My Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken & Green Beans shows how beautifully green beans pair with garlic-herb chicken.
Warm dinner rolls or crusty bread are perfect for soaking up every last bit of those garlicky, herb-flavored pan juices.
Steamed asparagus with lemon offers an elegant touch for when you want to dress up this simple weeknight dinner for company. You can also serve it with my Honey Glazed Carrots & Green Beans to complement the roasted carrots already in the dish.
FAQs
I recommend bone-in, skin-on thighs if you make this substitution – they’ll need about 35-40 minutes at the same temperature and deliver incredibly juicy results.
To prevent this issue, you can use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder mixed into the herb blend, though fresh garlic does provide the best flavor in this recipe.
Many home cooks find success with marinating the chicken in the herb mixture for 2-4 hours before baking, which deepens the flavors even more.
Garlic Herb Chicken & Carrot Plate
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper to create the herb mixture.
- Place chicken breasts in a baking dish and coat thoroughly with the garlic herb mixture, covering all sides.
- Arrange baby carrots around the chicken in the dish in a single layer.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C), shows no pink inside, and juices run clear. Carrots should be fork-tender with caramelized edges.
- Let chicken rest for 5 minutes after removing from oven.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
