Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs Bring Muffuletta Flavor

Zesty olive salad and smoky salami add bold New Orleans flair to this easy one-pan dinner.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

This sheet pan recipe takes the classic New Orleans muffuletta sandwich and transforms it into a delicious and easy-to-make chicken dinner. Crispy chicken thighs are roasted alongside cauliflower florets, then topped with a flavorful olive salad, chunks of salami, and roasted red peppers for a meal that's packed with the bold, briny flavors of a muffuletta.

Why it matters

Sheet pan meals are a weeknight dinner staple, but this recipe elevates the genre by taking inspiration from a beloved New Orleans sandwich. The combination of juicy chicken, tender roasted vegetables, and the punchy olive salad topping makes for a satisfying and flavor-packed meal that's perfect for those craving a taste of the Big Easy.

The details

The key to this recipe is the olive salad topping, which combines briny green and black olives, smoky salami, and tangy red wine vinegar. This flavorful mixture gets scattered over the roasted chicken and cauliflower, infusing every bite with the signature flavors of a muffuletta. The chicken thighs emerge from the oven golden-brown and crispy on the outside, while staying moist and tender on the inside.

  • The chicken and cauliflower bake for about 40 minutes at 425°F.
  • The olive salad mixture is added to the pan and baked for an additional 5 minutes.

The players

Chicken Thighs

Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are used in this recipe, which helps them stay juicy and flavorful during the roasting process.

Cauliflower

Chopped cauliflower florets are roasted alongside the chicken, soaking up all the delicious pan drippings.

Olive Salad

A jarred Italian olive salad, drained and rinsed, provides the signature briny, bold flavor of a muffuletta.

Genoa Salami

Chunks of smoky Genoa salami add savory depth to the olive salad topping.

Roasted Red Peppers

Sliced roasted red bell peppers from a jar add a sweet, charred note to the dish.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Sheet pan meals can sometimes be boring, but these Sheet Pan Muffuletta Chicken Thighs are far from bland.”

— Melinda Salchert, Editor (southernliving.com)

The takeaway

This easy sheet pan recipe brings the bold, briny flavors of a New Orleans muffuletta sandwich to the weeknight dinner table. The combination of crispy chicken, tender roasted vegetables, and the punchy olive salad topping makes for a satisfying and flavor-packed meal that's sure to delight.