Baked Chicken and Potatoes

Nothing is easier than baked chicken and potatoes. Wholesome, filling, and without any need for creamy sauces or masking flavors, this simple dish transforms dinner making into an easy task—one less worry in your day. Chicken breasts or thighs, potatoes, olive oil, seasonings, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese are all that you need. Making the dish takes 15 minutes of hands-on preparation and 30 minutes in the oven. Serve it with some steamed vegetables or an easy tossed salad, and use the chicken leftovers to make juicy sandwiches or wraps. This dish serves four people but it can easily be doubled if you have a larger family. Use the recipe as is or skip the cheese if you need a dairy-free meal. It's also egg free and has no other common allergens like soy or wheat.

When buying fresh chicken, always check that the best-by date is no longer than three days after your purchase. Frozen chicken expiration dates are different as they keep well for months. Check that the breast meat is firm, shiny, and that the fat around it is white. Skip breasts that have grayish fat, look slimy, or are too heavy for their size, because they might have been injected with water to add weight. If possible, stick to organic chicken, as you are guaranteed that it is free of antibiotics or other additives and that it has a better flavor. If using thighs, be mindful that skin-on and bone-in is the cheaper cut as there is no extra labor to pay for. It's up to you to decide if want to pay more for skinless and boneless thighs, but remember that both the bone and the skin add a lot more flavor. Buy half a pound per person if going with boneless, and three-quarters of a pound per person if buying thighs with the bone in.

We used Yukon Gold potatoes, a wonderful variety that cooks well both with moisture—such as in a stew or with dry heat—like in the oven. These yellow potatoes cook fast, have a wonderful creamy flavor, and serve many purposes in the kitchen because they are very easy to work with. Choose potatoes that are heavy, firm, smooth, and have no creases or dark spots. Skip potatoes that look wrinkly and mushy. If possible, buy loose potatoes instead of bagged so you can inspect them one by one. It's close to impossible to see what's happening inside of a packaged bag.