Smoky paprika sheet pan chicken with pears

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp (15 mL) smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) ground cumin
• 2 tsp (10 mL) garlic powder
• 1 tsp (5 mL) salt
• 1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) freshly ground black pepper
• lb/454 g ripe or slightly underripe green Anjou, red Anjou or Bosc pears, halved, cored and quartered
• 1 lb/454 g small potatoes in a variety of colors, halved
• 1 lb /454 g baby carrots, halved, or larger carrots, peeled, halved, and cut into 3-inch pieces
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) extra-virgin olive oil
• 6 bone-in, chicken thighs (2 to 2 1/2 lbs/900 g to 1 kg), skin removed and patted dry with paper towels
• 1/4 cup (60 mL) coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup (60 mL) reduced fat sour cream

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425˚F with a rack positioned in the bottom third.
2. In a small bowl, mix the paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to combine.
3. On a 13-by-18-inch rimmed baking sheet, combine the pear wedges, potatoes, and carrots. Drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, sprinkle with about one-third of the spice mixture, and toss to coat everything evenly. Spread the pears and vegetables out in an even layer. Rub the chicken thighs with the remaining 1 tbsp of oil. Sprinkle both sides with the remaining spice mixture to coat well. Place the chicken thighs over the pears and vegetables, spacing them out evenly.
4. Place the sheet pan in the bottom third of the oven and roast until the internal temperature of the chicken registers 165˚F on an instant-read thermometer, 35 to 40 minutes.
5. Transfer the chicken thighs to a platter and tent with foil to keep warm. Switch the oven to broil, and place the sheet pan on a rack positioned about 6-inch below the heating element. Broil the pears and vegetables until lightly browned in spots and the juices on the pan begin to caramelize, about 3 to 5 minutes. Turn them as needed to brown evenly and prevent scorching.
6. Divide the pears and vegetables among plates, along with some of the accumulated juices on the pan. Top with the chicken. Sprinkle with the cilantro and a dollop of sour cream and serve.

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