The chicken in this recipe is delicious, but the star is really the cabbage. It soaks up all of the natural juices and oils so beautifully and becomes caramelized and totally addictive. First, the chicken roast alone, which allows the hot air, unimpeded by vegetables, to circulate freely and encourages the browning process to be.

After 10 minutes, on goes the cabbage, tossed in the same dressing. It’s nestled around and underneath the chicken to fit. About 20 minutes later, when the chicken finishes cooking, off it goes to rest, while the cabbage continues on alone. With its surfaces fully exposed to the heat, the cabbage’s edges crisp and caramelize while any juices pooling nearby reduce and concentrate.

In about 40 minutes, dinner is ready. The result: juicy, crispy-skinned chicken and sweet, tender cabbage, flavoured by not only the spicy dressing but also the flavorful drippings of the chicken. It’s an unexpected and unsung boon of this one-pan wonder of a supper.

Ingredients;

  • 1 teaspoon neutral oil, for greasing
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1/4 cup melted coconut oil or olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or other)
  • 1 tablespoon Sriracha, optional
  • 8 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks
  • 1 pinch kosher salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 head cabbage, 2 to 3 lbs.

Instructions;

  1. Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Pour a teaspoon of neutral oil over a rimmed sheet pan. Rub to coat.
  2. In a small bowl, stir together the sesame oil, coconut oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sriracha, if using.
  3. Place chicken in a large bowl then season all over with salt and pepper.
  4. Pour 1/4 cup of the prepared mixture over the chicken and let marinate while the oven preheats.
  5. Chicken can marinate longer, too, but try, if time permits, to bring it to room temperature before cooking—the coconut oil will solidify in the fridge and look clumpy, which is fine.
  6. Cut the cabbage in half through the core. Cut again through each core and repeat this process until you are left with many wedges, no greater than 1-inch wide.
  7. Place the wedges in a large bowl, season all over with salt and pepper, and toss with the remaining dressing.
  8. Place chicken on prepared sheet pan spreading it out evenly. Roast for 10 minutes.
  9. Remove pan from oven, and nestle cabbage wedges all around the pieces, tucking it under if necessary—it will feel like a lot of cabbage.
  10. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes more or until chicken is golden and cooked through.
  11. Remove pan from oven, transfer chicken to a platter to rest.
  12. Return cabbage to the oven to roast for 10 to 15 minutes more, or until juices have reduced and edges of cabbage wedges are caramelized.