Commonwealth Garlic-Parmesan Rad-Chicken Tray Bake

Ingredients

• 3 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic sauce, enough to coat chicken, about 3/4 to 1 cup
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 36 oz baby potatoes, quartered
• 2 small heads broccoli or 1 large head broccoli, chopped into larger florets
• 1 large onion or 2 medium onions, sliced
• Olive oil, for drizzling, about 3–4 tbsp
• Shredded or grated Parmesan cheese, for finishing

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray one extra-large sheet pan plus one half sheet pan, or two standard half sheet pans, with cooking spray or line them with parchment paper. Make sure all pans fit safely in the oven with room for airflow.
2. Prep Vegetables: Wash and quarter the baby potatoes. Slice the onion. Chop broccoli into larger florets so it does not overcook too quickly.
3. Season Vegetables: Divide potatoes, onion, and broccoli between the pans. Drizzle with olive oil and season with about half of the seasoning blend. Toss to coat.
4. Season Chicken: Add boneless, skinless chicken thighs to a large bowl. Season with the remaining seasoning blend. Add enough Parmesan Garlic sauce to coat the chicken, then stir until evenly covered.
5. Build the Trays: Make spaces between the vegetables and divide the seasoned chicken thighs between the pans. Keep everything in a single layer as much as possible.
6. Bake: Bake at 400 degrees F for about 45–55 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through, until the chicken reaches at least 185 degrees F internally and the potatoes are fork-tender.
7. Finish: Broil one pan at a time for 1–3 minutes if desired for extra color. Top everything with Parmesan cheese before serving.

Overview

Out in the Commonwealth, a good settlement dinner needs three things: protein, vegetables, and enough food that nobody has to start bartering over the last chicken thigh.

This family-sized tray bake turns boneless, skinless chicken thighs into a full dinner for 6 with roasted baby potatoes, broccoli, onion, smoky seasoning, and a heavy coat of scavenged pre-war Parmesan garlic wing sauce. It feels like something a tired settlement cook would throw together after patrol, then proudly serve like it came from Diamond City.

This version is built for a real family table, not a tiny four-serving ration pack. Use multiple oven-safe pans so the chicken and vegetables roast properly instead of steaming in a crowded pan.

Theme: Core Rations
Profile: Savory, garlicky, cheesy, smoky, family-friendly
Vibe: Roasted rad-chicken energy, crispy potato edges, settlement dinner comfort

Wasteland Translation

This is still a real dinner, but the Fallout logic is easy:

Ingredients

Rad-Chicken Stand-In

• 3 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic sauce, enough to coat the chicken, about 3/4 to 1 cup

Meat note: This recipe is written for boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Bone-in thighs can work, but they usually need more time and should be checked carefully with a thermometer.

Settlement Vegetables

• 36 oz baby potatoes, quartered
• 2 small heads broccoli or 1 large head broccoli, chopped into larger florets
• 1 large onion or 2 medium onions, sliced
• 3–4 tbsp olive oil, for drizzling

Smoky Seasoning Blend

• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika

Diamond City Finish

• Shredded or grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat the Settlement Oven

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Spray one extra-large sheet pan plus one half sheet pan, or two standard half sheet pans, with cooking spray or line them with parchment paper for easier cleanup.

Make sure the pans fit safely in your oven with room for airflow. Do not force a pan into the oven if it touches the oven walls or prevents the door from closing cleanly.

Trim or tuck parchment paper so it does not hang over the pan edges.

Do not force the full family-sized recipe onto one pan. Crowding will steam the potatoes and vegetables instead of roasting them.

2. Prep the Settlement Vegetables

Wash and quarter the baby potatoes.

Slice the onion.

Chop the broccoli into larger florets. Do not cut the broccoli too small because it will cook faster than the potatoes and chicken.

3. Season the Vegetables

Divide the potatoes, onion, and broccoli between the pans.

Drizzle the vegetables with olive oil.

Sprinkle about half of the smoky seasoning blend over the vegetables:

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Italian seasoning
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Smoked paprika

Toss everything until the vegetables are lightly coated.

4. Sauce the Rad-Chicken

Add the boneless, skinless chicken thighs to a large bowl.

Season with the remaining smoky seasoning blend.

Add enough Parmesan Garlic sauce to coat the chicken, about 3/4 to 1 cup depending on how saucy you want it.

Stir until the chicken is evenly covered in seasoning and sauce.

5. Build the Trays

Make small open spaces between the vegetables on each pan.

Divide the seasoned chicken thighs between the pans.

Place the chicken directly into the open spaces so it has contact with the pan.

Spread everything into a single layer as much as possible. Crowding the pans too much will steam the food instead of roasting it.

6. Bake

Bake at 400 degrees F for about 45–55 minutes, or until:

• Chicken reaches at least 185 degrees F internally
• Potatoes are fork-tender
• Vegetables are roasted
• Sauce is bubbling and slightly caramelized around the edges

Rotate the pans halfway through cooking:

• Move the top pan to the lower rack.
• Move the lower pan to the top rack.
• Turn each pan around front-to-back if your oven has hot spots.

Start checking the chicken around 40 minutes, but expect the full family-sized version to take closer to 45–55 minutes depending on pan crowding, rack position, chicken thickness, and potato size.

If the chicken reaches 185 degrees F before the potatoes are tender, move the chicken to a plate, cover loosely with foil, and return the potatoes and vegetables to the oven for another 8–12 minutes.

7. Broil and Finish

For extra color, broil for 1–3 minutes at the end.

Broil one pan at a time so you can control the finish and avoid burning the sauce, parchment, or broccoli.

Top everything with shredded or grated Parmesan cheese before serving.

Settlement Notes

Family of 6 Scaling

The original version was closer to a 4-serving meal. This version increases the main ingredients so it can feed a family of 6 more reliably.

The key upgrades are:

• 3 lb chicken thighs instead of 2 lb
• 36 oz potatoes instead of 24 oz
• More broccoli
• More onion
• Larger seasoning blend
• Multiple pans instead of one crowded pan

For bigger appetites, add a side like rice, garlic bread, Caesar salad, or buttered noodles.

Pan Fit and Airflow

A family-sized sheet pan dinner only works if the pans actually fit in the oven.

Use:

• One extra-large sheet pan plus one half sheet pan, if both fit safely
• Two standard half sheet pans
• One half sheet pan plus one smaller oven-safe pan for overflow

Avoid:

• Pans that touch the oven walls
• Pans that block the oven door
• Parchment hanging over the sides
• Stacking food too thickly in the center

If the oversized pan does not fit, split the food across smaller pans and cook on two racks.

Chicken Thigh Target Temperature

Chicken is safe at 165 degrees F, but thighs are better when cooked higher. For this recipe, aim for about 185 degrees F so the thighs are tender and the potatoes have enough time to finish.

Bone-In Chicken Thigh Option

This recipe is written for boneless, skinless chicken thighs.

If using bone-in chicken thighs, expect a longer cook time. Start checking around 45 minutes, but plan for about 50–60 minutes depending on size, pan crowding, and oven performance. Cook until the thickest part of the thigh reaches at least 185 degrees F and the potatoes are tender.

For best results with bone-in thighs:

• Place the thighs skin-side up if using skin-on thighs.
• Give the chicken more open space on the pan.
• Cut potatoes smaller so they finish at the same time.
• Add broccoli halfway through cooking so it does not burn.

Broccoli Timing Option

For firmer greenhouse greens, add the broccoli halfway through the cook instead of at the beginning.

Best split:

• Start potatoes, onion, and chicken first.
• Add broccoli after about 20–25 minutes.
• Finish baking until chicken and potatoes are done.

This is especially helpful if your family prefers broccoli with more bite.

Sauce Control

Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic sauce is rich and salty, so do not drown the entire pan.

Best default:

• Coat the chicken well.
• Keep the vegetables seasoned with olive oil and dry seasoning.
• Add extra sauce only at the table if someone wants more.

Cut-Fit Switches

Pick based on the day:

• Need more protein: use 3.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
• Need to stretch it further: serve over rice, buttered noodles, or mashed potatoes.
• Using bone-in thighs: increase the cook time and check the thickest piece with a thermometer.
• Need fewer carbs: reduce potatoes and add more broccoli or green beans.
• Need more volume: add carrots, zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms.
• Need more heat: add crushed red pepper, hot sauce, or chili flakes at the table.
• Need easier cleanup: use parchment paper or foil, then spray lightly before adding food.
• Need crispier potatoes: give the potatoes a 10-minute head start before adding the chicken and broccoli.
• Need more Fallout flavor: call the potatoes “tato wedges” at the table, but keep the recipe ingredient listed as baby potatoes so nobody gets confused.

Storage + Reheating

This keeps well as a leftover settlement ration plate.

• Fridge: store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
• Reheat: microwave in short bursts or reheat in the air fryer or oven.
• Best texture: air fry leftovers at 350 degrees F for 5–8 minutes.
• Avoid drying out: add a small spoonful of sauce before reheating chicken if needed.

Serve With

• Garlic bread
• Caesar salad
• Rice
• Buttered noodles
• Side salad
• Roasted carrots
• Extra Parmesan cheese
• Extra Parmesan Garlic sauce at the table
• Ice-cold Nuka-Cola