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Craving a fiery and flavorful meal without the mess? This one-pan chicken diavolo with creamy burrata and broccoli is a weeknight dream! Simple ingredients come together for a satisfying and delicious dinner. Skip the multi-step recipe meals and get dinner on the table in a flash instead!

Overhead shot of a Sheet Pan topped with Broccoli and Chicken Fra Diavolo on a gray surface with forks, fresh parsley, a small bowl of diavolo sauce and vine ripe tomatoes surrounding the pan.

Update: This fra diavolo recipe was originally published in January 2017. I made edits to the article below to include more information about chicken diavolo. Plus, there’s now a step by step video showing you *just* how easy this recipe is to make! 

Table of Contents

About this chicken fra diavolo

Also known as, easy-peasy baked chicken smothered and covered in a sizzling, scrumptiously spicy sauce.

Succulent, juicy chicken thighs are marinated and lovingly coated in a fiery red pepper and chili fra diavolo sauce. Topped with creamy, rich, melted burrata and served alongside tender-crisp broccolini (or broccoli).

This chicken is a lively mix of savory and spicy flavors, and it’s straight up splendid in taste.

Plus, is also stupid easy. Seriously! It’s actually harder to pronounce the name of the recipe than it is to make this for dinner. If you can roughly chop some produce, operate a food processor and turn on an oven, then you can totally make this chicken!

Why you’ll love this recipe

If you’re familiar with and enjoy seafood fra diavolo, then you’re in for a treat with this easy sheet pan chicken version. Here’s why you’ll love it: 

  • Simple for midweek meals. Cook this flavor-packed chicken diavolo in just 30 minutes as an easy weeknight family dinner.
  • Easy clean-up. Sheet pan chicken fra diavolo dinner reduces kitchen clean-up thanks to the use of a single sheet pan to cook the entire meal!
  • Adaptable. Adjust the level of spicy heat in the chicken diavola marinade, use chicken breasts instead of thighs, and combine this dish with different veggies. Check out other possible variations below!

If you’re looking for more super easy, seriously tasty sheet pan chicken dinners, try these recipes next: Chicken with Thai Peanut Sauce, Balsamic Chicken Sheet Pan, Curry Spaghetti Squash and Chicken, Chicken Breast with Prosciutto, and Harissa Chicken and Potatoes.

Overhead shot of a food processor bowl filled with the ingredients needed to make fra diavolo sauce for Sheet Pan Broccoli Chicken Fra Diavolo.

What is diavolo sauce?

Fra diavolo is a spicy Italian-American sauce typically used for pasta or seafood. However, in this version we are using it for tender baked chicken thighs or breasts.

Most versions of diavolo sauce are tomato-based and seasoned with red chili peppers for spice. But, the term is also used for other sauces that include no tomato or use other forms of pepper, such as cayenne.

This diavolo sauce recipe uses both tomato paste and chili peppers, as well as other flavoring ingredients to create a sauce that is intensely flavorful and also doubles as a marinade!

How to pronounce fra diavolo?

Fra diavolo is Italian for “Brother Devil“. The phonetic spelling is fra-dià-vo-lo.

Overhead shot of the chicken marinating in fra diavolo sauce in a large zip-closure bag, which is the second step to making Sheet Pan Broccoli Chicken Fra Diavolo.

Ingredients for chicken diavolo

  • Chicken: This recipe utilizes chicken thighs. However, can use chicken breasts if you prefer light meat to dark meat, just adjust the baking time accordingly (you’ll need less time.)
  • Broccoli: I typically use broccoli if it’s in season, however, fresh broccoli works too.
  • Burrata: This rich, creamy cheese is perfection with the spicy sauce; but, feel free to swap in fresh mozzarella if you prefer.

Fra diavolo sauce

  • Red Bell Pepper: One red bell pepper lends sweet richness to the diablo sauce.
  • Red Jalapeno Chili Peppers: While green jalapenos are more popular, you’ll need red jalapeno peppers for this fiery red sauce.
  • Garlic: For a touch of pungent garlic flavor.
  • Tomato Paste: This is one of those under-used ingredients if you ask me. Tomato paste lends deeply concentrated tomato flavor.
  • Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed for the best flavor.
  • Pantry Spices: A combination of onion powder, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and ground black pepper all lend flavor.
  • Fresh Parsley: For a touch of herbaceous freshness.

Recipe variations

  • Chicken. Use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs if you prefer light meat. Reduce the baking time if you make this swap. 
  • Burrata. Use fresh mozzarella instead.   
  • Broccolini. Use fresh broccoli instead. Cut regular broccoli into florets and add them to the sheet pan at the beginning of the baking alongside the chicken, as broccoli requires more time to cook. 
  • Spicy heat. Leave the seeds and ribs in the chili pepper, use more chili peppers or add crushed red pepper flakes for increased heat in this fra diavolo sauce. Remove all seeds and ribs from the chili pepper, halve the amount of chili peppers this recipe calls for, or only use a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for reduced heat in the chicken fra diavolo sauce.

Angled, up-close photo of baked diavolo chicken thigh topped with a dollop of burrata cheese and surrounded by cooked broccoli.

FAQs: frequently asked questions

Below you’ll find the most common questions and answers about making chicken diablo recipes. If you have a question you’d like answered, please drop it in the comments section below!

Is fra diavolo spicy?

Diavolo sauce can range from very mildly spicy to fiery hot. This diavolo is moderately spicy, however the heat level can easily be adjusted to taste!

To customize the spice level

  • To increase heat: Leave the seeds and ribs in the chili pepper. Use more chili peppers or add crushed red pepper flakes.
  • To decrease heat: Remove all seeds and ribs from the chili pepper. Cut the amount of chili pepper in half or only use a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.

Can I use this spicy tomato sauce for chicken in other dishes?

This marinade for this chicken diavolo recipe is perfect to serve over pasta or roasted vegetables. Never use marinade that has been in contact with raw chicken. You will need to make a fresh batch of this spicy sauce to enjoy in other dishes. 

What is the difference between fra diavolo and arrabiata sauce?

Both of these sauces are spicy with a red hue, but arrabiata sauce is closer to a marinara sauce while fra diavolo is commonly paired with seafood (usually shrimp or lobster) and usually contains white wine or brandy. 

Can I use chicken breasts or thighs?

Dark chicken meat is the most succulent and tender. As a result, chicken thighs will yield the most flavorful diavolo recipe. However, you can absolutely use chicken breasts if that is what you have on hand, or if you simply prefer white meat!

Can I prepare this chicken diavolo ahead of time?

Sure you can! However, please note if you make this recipe ahead of time and reheat it to serve at a later date, it will taste like leftovers.

Store the chicken in spicy tomato sauce in a sealable plastic bag in the fridge for up to 8 hours. You can also store chicken diavolo sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.

45 degree angle shot of a Sheet Pan topped with Broccoli and Chicken Fra Diavolo, with the focus on one single chicken thigh and a small bowl of diavolo sauce and tomatoes blurred in the background.

How to make chicken fra diavolo

This chicken diavolo is incredibly simple to prepare! And, you can easily to customize the level of spicy heat to your specific taste!

  1. Make the Fra Diavolo Marinade: In the bowl of a food processor add the bell peppers, jalapeno, garlic, tomato paste, onion powder, paprika, lemon juice, and salt. Process until chunky. With the processor running, slowly stream in the olive oil. Process until smooth. Stir in the parsley. Set aside.
  2. Marinate the Chicken: Reserve 1/3 cup of the marinade and set aside for serving.  Transfer the remaining marinade to a large resealable bag or bowl.  Add the chicken and turn to coat. Transfer to the refrigerator and marinate for at least 4 hours, or up to overnight.
  3. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy clean up. Use tongs to transfer the chicken thighs to the prepared baking sheet, letting excess marinade drain off (Discard excess marinade). Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Bake the chicken for 10 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile: Place broccoli in a bowl and toss with oil. Season with salt and pepper. Then, add the broccoli to the pan with the chicken and return to the oven for 10 minutes.
  6. Remove broccoli and add cheese: Remove the broccoli from the pan and transfer to a serving plate. Switch the oven to (high) broil. Add burrata to the top of the chicken thighs.
  7. Return the chicken to the oven. Broil for 2 minutes, or until cheese is melted and the chicken is cooked through.
  8. To serve: Transfer chicken to the serving plate with broccolini. Serve with remaining sauce on the side. Enjoy!

Follow these chef expert tips for the best success!

  1. Chicken breasts or thighs: You can use either boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts in this recipe.
  2. Broccoli: Broccolini is a hybrid of broccoli and kale. It is slightly sweeter and more tender than broccoli. It pairs perfectly with the spicy sauce! You can use either broccolini or broccoli. If using regular broccoli, cut it into florets and add them to the sheet pan at the very beginning of baking (along with the raw, marinated chicken). Regular broccoli takes longer than broccolini to roast.
  3. Jalapenos: The recipe below calls for 2 red jalapenos, or chilis. However, you can substitute crushed red pepper flakes if that’s what you have on hand. Start with 1 teaspoon, and add more (up to 2 teaspoons) to taste.
  4. Spice level: For a spicy marinade leave the seeds and ribs in the chilis, or use the full 2 teaspoons or crushed red pepper flakes.
  5. Marinating time: Marinating the chicken is a must! While you can get away with only marinating it for 4 hours, I urge you to marinate it overnight for the most flavor!
  6. Melty cheese: Broiling the chicken to melt the burrata at the end of cooking is optional, but highly recommended. Make sure you watch the cheese closely when you are broiling the chicken! The cheese can go from perfectly melted to burned in a flash! It should only take a minute to two minutes to melt the cheese. However, you can just serve the chicken topped with thin slices of creamy burrata if desired and skip the broiling process all together.

Step by step photos: making this recipe at home

If you’re looking for the detailed measurements and full recipe instructions, please scroll down to the bottom of the page. 

Overhead photo collage of how to make chicken diavolo step by step with written instructions on each step.

Serving spicy chicken diavolo

This chicken fra diavolo goes well with pretty much any side dish! However, keep in mind this chicken is slightly spicy. I suggest pairing it with a mild or fresh, crisp side to balance the flavors and compliment the textures!

  • Breads: Your favorite style of bread is a must for sopping up the diabolo sauce. My vote would be fluffy dinner rolls or extra garlicky garlic bread.
  • Salads: Crisp greens will provide a delicious and cooling compliment to this fiery dish! I personally love this chopped Italian salad recipe here.
  • Soup: Any light, broth-y Italian soup works great here, think: Tuscan Bean Soups or White Bean Tomato Soup with Garlic.
  • Pasta: Diavolo sauce is commonly served with various pastas, which makes sense, because this spicy diabolo sauce and any noodle with a nook and cranny just sounds divine.
  • Veggies: If you are looking to lighten up the carb load, vegetable noodles or veggie rice are terrific options.
  • Sauteed peppers and onions: If you’re looking the Chef’s recommendation, these tender-crisp, beautifully flavorful sautéed bell peppers and onions it.
Straight on shot of a Sheet Pan topped with Broccoli and Chicken Fra Diavolo, with the focus on one single chicken thigh and a small bowl of diavolo sauce and tomatoes blurred in the background.

Storing leftovers

If you have any leftover chicken diabolo, allow it to cool completely to room temperature before storing in an airtight container. Place in the fridge and use within 3 to 4 days.

Alternatively, you can always freeze cooked chicken thighs for up to 3 months. I recommend marking your freezer bags with the date the chicken was cooked and frozen, that way you take the guess work out of having to remember if the chicken is still good.

Sheet pan dinners don’t have to be boring! Make your next weeknight dinner cozy, delicious AND insanely easy with this Baked Chicken Fra Diavolo.

Until Thursday friends, cheers – to sheet pan dinners, easy to cook and even easier to clean up.

XOXO

Cheyanne

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45 degree angle shot of a Sheet Pan topped with Broccoli and Chicken Fra Diavolo, with the focus on one single chicken thigh that has been cut in half.

More easy chicken thigh dinner recipes!

Overhead, landscape shot of a Sheet Pan topped with Broccoli and Chicken Fra Diavolo on a gray surface with fresh parsley, a small bowl of diavolo sauce and vine ripe tomatoes surrounding the pan.

Chicken Fra Diavolo

5 from 11 votes
Author: Cheyanne Holzworth
Total Time: 30 minutes
Prep Time: 8 minutes
Cook Time: 22 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
This Easy Chicken Fra Diavolo is made on one sheet pan and can be on the table in 35 minutes or less! Succulent chicken is topped with creamy burrata and served with tender broccoli (or broccolini)! It's an simple, fuss-free meal that packs tons of delicious flavor!
Recipe can be scaled up or down by using the slider if you hover your mouse over the number of Servings.

Equipment

  • 1 Food Processor (for making diavolo sauce)
  • 1 Large Bowl or Resealable Bag (for marinating chicken)

Ingredients 

  • 5-6 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs (about 1 ½ pounds)
  • 1 Pound Broccoli or Broccolini
  • 4 ounces Burrata Cheese – sliced into 5-6 pieces
  • Kosher Salt and Ground Black Pepper – to taste

Fra Diavolo Marinade: (yield – about 1 ½ cups)

  • 1 Red Bell Pepper – seeded and roughly chopped
  • 2 Red Jalapenos – partially seeded and roughly chopped (SEE NOTES)
  • 6 Cloves Garlic – smashed and peeled
  • 1 TBS Tomato Paste
  • 1 tsp EACH: Onion Powder & Smoked Paprika
  • ½ Lemon – juiced (about 1 TBS)
  • ¼ Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil – plus more for drizzling
  • 1 TBS Flat Leaf Parsley – packed & finely chopped

Optional Garnishes & Serving Suggestions: Fresh Parsley, Crushed Pepper Flakes, Vine Ripe Cherry Tomatoes, Crusty Bread

Instructions

  • Make the Fra Diavolo Marinade: In the bowl of a food processor add the bell peppers, jalapeno, garlic, tomato paste, onion powder, paprika, lemon juice, and ½ teaspoon salt. Process until chunky and sauce-like, about 1-2 minutes. With the processor running, slowly stream in the olive oil. Process until smooth. Stir in the parsley. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper.
  • Marinate the Chicken: Reserve 1/3 cup of the marinade and set aside for serving.  Transfer the remaining marinade to a large resealable bag or plastic container.  Add the chicken thighs and turn to coat completely. Transfer to the refrigerator and let the chicken marinate for at least 4 hours, or up to overnight.
  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy clean up. Use tongs to transfer the chicken thighs to the prepared baking sheet, letting excess marinade drain off (Discard excess marinade). Season with salt and pepper.
  • Bake the chicken for 10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile: Toss the broccolini with two tablespoons of oil, ¼ teaspoon of salt and a pinch of pepper.
  • When the 10 minutes is up, add the broccolini to the pan. Continue to roast the chicken for 10-12 minutes or until the chicken is almost done cooking and the broccoli is tender.
  • Remove the broccolini to a serving plate and switch the oven to (high) broil*. Top the chicken with burrata.
  • Return the chicken to the oven and broil, watching very CAREFULLY, for 2 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F and the cheese is melted.
  • To serve: Transfer chicken to the serving plate with broccolini. Garnish with a few pinches of red pepper flakes and parsley and serve with remaining Fra Diavolo sauce on the side. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

  1. Chicken: I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs, but you can substitute chicken breasts if white meat is your thing.
  2. Broccoli: Broccolini is a hybrid of broccoli and kale, and to me it tastes a bit sweeter and tenderer than broccoli. If you’ve never had broccolini, I highly recommend you try it! But, if you would like to substitute regular broccoli, feel free. Just make sure you cut it into florets, and add them to the sheet pan at the beginning (with the raw chicken thighs), because broccoli will take the full 25 minutes to roast. Since you won’t be breaking the cook time up into 2-10 minute intervals, just rotate the sheet pan halfway through cooking.
  3. Jalapenos: The recipe below calls for 1-2 red jalapenos, or chilis, but you can substitute crushed red pepper flakes if that’s what you have on hand. Start with 1 teaspoon, and add more (up to 2 teaspoons) to taste.  If using jalapenos, use 1 jalapeno for a more mild diavolo and 2 for a spicier sauce.
  4. Fra Diavolo Marinade: For spicy marinade leave the seeds in the chilis, or use the full 2 teaspoons or crushed red pepper flakes.
  5. Broiling the chicken to melt the burrata is optional, but recommended.
Nutritional information is an approximation based upon 6 servings.  Exact information will depend upon the brands of ingredients and precise measurements used.

Nutrition

Calories: 282kcal    Carbohydrates: 8g    Protein: 24g    Fat: 17g    Saturated Fat: 4g    Cholesterol: 102mg    Sodium: 213mg    Potassium: 301mg    Fiber: 1g    Sugar: 2g    Vitamin A: 1825IU    Vitamin C: 82.3mg    Calcium: 170mg    Iron: 1.8mg
Course: entree, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian

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