The Easiest Dinners Are Often the Ones Everyone Asks for Again

The dinner trick that gives you your evening back.

We're big fans of tray bakes around here, and it's easy to see why. They're simple to prepare, packed with flavour, and require very little washing up. When life feels busy and the days seem to disappear before you've had a chance to catch your breath, having a few reliable tray bake recipes up your sleeve can make all the difference.

The beauty of a tray bake is its simplicity. A handful of ingredients and the oven does most of the work. Many recipes can even be prepared ahead of time, whether that's the night before or first thing in the morning. Store in the fridge until you're ready to cook. When you get home, all that's left to do is pop it in the oven, throw a bag of store bought salad mix into a bowl and enjoy a little more time with your family, catching up on the day, or simply take a moment for yourself.

They're not just perfect for busy weeknights either. Tray bakes are equally at home on weekends when you're entertaining friends or family. Less time spent standing over the stove means more time around the table enjoying good food and good company.

Easy, wholesome, satisfying and endlessly versatile. Tray bake recipes are proof that delicious dinners don't need to be complicated. Sometimes the simplest meals are the ones that become family favourites.

Creamy Dijon Chicken Tray Bake

Method

Step 1: Create a golden chicken base
Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan-forced). Heat a large ovenproof baking dish over medium-high heat and place the chicken thighs skin-side down. Cook until the skin is golden and crisp, then turn and cook briefly on the other side. Remove the chicken and set aside.

Step 2: Build the flavour
Discard most of the rendered fat, leaving a small amount in the dish. Add the butter, followed by the baby potatoes, bacon, onion and garlic. Cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften and the bacon starts to colour.

Step 3: Bring it all together
Nestle the chicken thighs back into the dish amongst the potatoes and bacon. Season generously and scatter over the fresh thyme. Transfer to the oven and bake until the potatoes are tender and the chicken is beautifully golden.

Step 4: Add the creamy Dijon finish
In a jug, whisk together the chicken stock, pouring cream and Dijon mustard. Carefully pour the mixture around the chicken and potatoes, allowing it to settle into all the delicious caramelised bits in the dish. Return to the oven for a few more minutes until the sauce is warmed through and lightly thickened.

Step 5: Serve and enjoy
Scatter over freshly chopped parsley and serve straight from the baking dish. The crispy chicken, creamy mustard sauce and golden potatoes make this the ultimate one-pan comfort meal for busy weeknights or relaxed family dinners.

Serves: 4–6
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: Approximately 55 minutes

Top tip: This dish can be prepared earlier in the day and refrigerated until you're ready to bake, making it perfect for busy evenings when you want dinner to practically cook itself.