Baked Mediterranean Chicken: Your Ultimate One-Pan Dinner Solution
Prepare to be utterly delighted by this sensational Baked Mediterranean Chicken recipe. Imagine succulent chicken, tender potatoes, sweet red onions, and ripe tomatoes, all mingling together in a single pan, roasted to perfection in your oven. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a testament to effortless cooking and vibrant flavors, designed to bring joy to your dinner table and give you back precious time. Each bite promises juicy, crispy chicken enveloped in an aromatic marinade, a truly healthy and incredibly easy dish that will quickly become a beloved family favorite.
This Mediterranean roast chicken isn’t just bursting with flavor; it’s a complete meal in itself, meaning you won’t need to fuss with additional side dishes. The magic of a whole dinner made in one pan extends beyond the delicious taste – it translates directly into less time spent on cleanup and more cherished moments relaxing with loved ones after your meal. We thoughtfully include a mix of both chicken thighs and drumsticks, ensuring everyone at the table finds their preferred piece without any extra effort on your part. This thoughtful detail makes it ideal for family dinners, catering to diverse preferences with ease.
For more delightful baked chicken creations, be sure to explore our Baked Cilantro Lemon Chicken and Oven Baked Chicken Breasts. They are incredibly simple to prepare and have consistently been reader favorites, earning rave reviews for their taste and ease.
Why You’ll Adore This One-Pan Mediterranean Chicken Masterpiece
This isn’t just another chicken recipe; it’s a culinary experience designed for convenience, flavor, and health. Here’s why this Baked Mediterranean Chicken will quickly become a staple in your kitchen:
Effortless One-Pan Perfection
Say goodbye to complicated recipes and stacks of dirty dishes. This dish is designed for ultimate simplicity. The process involves a quick marination, then everything is tossed into a single baking dish and left to roast. This hands-off approach makes it an ideal solution for busy weeknights, allowing you to prepare a gourmet-quality meal with minimal active cooking time.
Bursting with Authentic Mediterranean Flavors
Each ingredient in this recipe is carefully chosen to contribute to a symphony of fresh, vibrant Mediterranean tastes. The succulent chicken is infused with a rich marinade of olive oil, zesty lemon, aromatic garlic, and earthy oregano. Combined with the natural sweetness of roasted red onions, the subtle earthiness of potatoes, and the delightful tang of burst cherry tomatoes, this dish delivers an authentic and irresistible flavor profile.
A Wholesome and Healthy Choice
Eating healthy doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor, and this recipe is living proof. Packed with lean protein from the chicken and an abundance of nutrient-rich vegetables, it’s a balanced meal that nourishes your body. Olive oil provides healthy fats, while the fresh ingredients contribute essential vitamins and minerals, making it a guilt-free indulgence for the entire family.
Family-Friendly & Crowd-Pleasing
Finding a meal that satisfies everyone can be a challenge, but this Mediterranean chicken rises to the occasion. The appealing combination of tender chicken and perfectly roasted vegetables is a hit with both adults and children. The potatoes, in particular, are always a crowd-pleaser, ensuring even the pickiest eaters will ask for a second helping!
What Makes It Mediterranean?
The essence of Mediterranean cuisine lies in its emphasis on fresh, wholesome ingredients, healthy fats, and vibrant flavors. This dish perfectly embodies these principles, featuring olive oil, a cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet, along with lean chicken, an abundance of fresh vegetables like tomatoes, onions, and potatoes, and aromatic herbs such as oregano. It’s a celebration of simple, natural ingredients that come together to create a deeply satisfying and nourishing meal.
Essential Ingredients for Your Baked Mediterranean Chicken
Crafting this flavorful one-pan wonder begins with selecting the finest ingredients. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need to bring this Mediterranean delight to life:
For the Flavorful Marinade
The marinade is key to infusing the chicken with its signature Mediterranean taste. You’ll need:
- Olive oil: The base of our marinade, providing richness and helping the flavors adhere to the chicken.
- Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed for a bright, tangy counterpoint that tenderizes the chicken.
- Minced garlic: Essential for that pungent, aromatic depth.
- Dried oregano: The quintessential Mediterranean herb, offering earthy and slightly peppery notes.
- Paprika: Adds a beautiful reddish hue and a mild, sweet peppery flavor.
- Salt and pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance all the other flavors.
Main Dish Components
These are the stars of your pan bake:
- Chicken: We recommend a mix of bone-in, skin-on thighs and drumsticks. The bone adds flavor and moisture, while the skin crisps up beautifully, creating an irresistible texture contrast.
- Red onions: Quartered, they become wonderfully sweet and caramelized during roasting.
- Red potatoes: Quartered, these absorb the delicious pan juices and become incredibly tender and flavorful.
- Chicken stock: Use low-sodium chicken stock to control the saltiness while adding moisture and depth to the dish.
- Tomatoes: Cherry or grape tomatoes are perfect as they burst when roasted, releasing their sweet, tangy juices into the pan.
- Olive oil: An additional drizzle over the vegetables ensures they roast beautifully and become golden.
Garnish
- Fresh parsley: Chopped and sprinkled generously after baking, it adds a burst of freshness and color.
Step-by-Step: Crafting Your Perfect Baked Mediterranean Chicken
Follow these simple steps to create a truly unforgettable one-pan Mediterranean chicken dinner:
Preheat Your Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to a steady 375°F (190°C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for even cooking and proper browning from the moment your dish goes in.
Marinate the Chicken for Maximum Flavor
In a spacious bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the chicken marinade: olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Once thoroughly combined, add the chicken pieces (thighs and drumsticks). Toss them well, ensuring each piece is fully coated in the aromatic marinade. Allow the chicken to marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes at room temperature, or for deeper flavor, cover and refrigerate overnight.
Assemble and Begin Baking
Take a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange the quartered red onions and potatoes evenly across the bottom of the dish, creating a bed for the chicken. Place the marinated chicken pieces on top of the vegetables, ensuring they are not too crowded. Pour the chicken stock over the chicken and vegetables. Transfer the dish to your preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes at 375°F (190°C).
Add Tomatoes and Finish Roasting
After the initial 20 minutes, carefully remove the baking dish from the oven. Evenly spread the cherry or grape tomatoes around and over the chicken and vegetables. Drizzle a little extra olive oil, along with a sprinkle of salt and pepper, over the added tomatoes. Return the dish to the oven and continue baking for another 40 minutes, or until the chicken skin is beautifully golden and crispy, and the potatoes are fork-tender and cooked through.
Garnish and Serve Warm
Once the chicken is perfectly cooked, remove the baking dish from the oven. Generously sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the entire dish. Serve immediately while it’s still wonderfully warm, allowing the aromas to entice everyone to the table.
Expert Tips for an Unforgettable Mediterranean Chicken Tray Bake
To ensure your Baked Mediterranean Chicken turns out perfectly every time, keep these valuable tips in mind:
- Avoid Overcrowding the Baking Dish: For crispy chicken and evenly roasted vegetables, ensure that the onions and potatoes are spread in a single layer without overlapping. If you’re doubling the recipe or have a smaller baking dish, it’s best to use two separate dishes to prevent steaming and encourage browning.
- Prepare in Advance for Deeper Flavor: The beauty of this recipe is its make-ahead potential. You can marinate the chicken the night before you plan to bake it. This allows the flavors to truly penetrate the meat, resulting in an even more delicious and tender chicken.
- Pat Dry Chicken for Crispy Skin: If your chicken was previously frozen or simply has excess moisture, pat it thoroughly dry with paper towels before marinating. Moisture on the skin will prevent it from crisping up in the oven and can lead to a steamed, rather than roasted, texture. Dry skin also helps the seasoning adhere better.
- Don’t Skip the Marinade: The marinade isn’t just for flavor; it also helps tenderize the chicken. Allowing the chicken to soak in the lemon, garlic, and herb mixture for at least 30 minutes is crucial for achieving that signature Mediterranean taste and juicy texture.
- Ensure Your Oven is Fully Preheated: Always wait until your oven has reached the target temperature before placing the baking dish inside. A properly preheated oven ensures even cooking from the start and helps the chicken and vegetables cook consistently and brown beautifully.
- Check Doneness with a Meat Thermometer: The most reliable way to ensure your chicken is perfectly cooked and safe to eat is by using a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken, avoiding the bone. The internal temperature should read 165°F (74°C).
- Use a Ziplock Bag for Easy Marinating: For a mess-free and efficient marinating process, place the chicken in a large resealable plastic bag, pour in the marinade, and squeeze out all the excess air before sealing. This method ensures the chicken is fully submerged in the marinade and allows for easy tossing to coat.
Variations & Serving Suggestions
This Baked Mediterranean Chicken is wonderfully versatile. Feel free to customize it to your taste or what you have on hand:
- Add-ins: Before serving, consider crumbling some feta cheese or scattering black olives over the hot dish for an extra burst of salty flavor. Fresh sprigs of thyme or rosemary can be added to the pan during the last 20 minutes of baking for added herbal aroma. Bell peppers, zucchini, or eggplant can also be quartered and added with the potatoes for more vegetable variety.
- Serving Suggestions: While this is a complete meal, it pairs beautifully with a simple side salad dressed with a lemon-herb vinaigrette, a loaf of crusty bread to soak up the delicious pan juices, or a light couscous or quinoa salad for a heartier meal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For an elevated flavor profile, consider adding crumbled feta cheese, Kalamata olives, or capers to the dish just before serving. Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or additional oregano can also be tossed into the pan with the vegetables during the last phase of baking for an extra aromatic kick.
Absolutely! You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but be mindful that the cooking time will be significantly shorter. Chicken breasts tend to dry out more quickly. It’s crucial to use a meat thermometer and remove the chicken from the oven once the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) to prevent overcooking.
The cooking time for chicken breasts varies depending on their size and thickness. A standard 4-ounce chicken breast typically needs about 25 to 30 minutes when baked at 350°F (175°C). Always confirm doneness with a meat thermometer, ensuring it reads 165°F (74°C) at its thickest part.
Leftovers of this Mediterranean chicken are fantastic! Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can microwave individual portions until warmed through. For a crispier skin on the chicken, transfer the leftovers back to a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
For this specific baked chicken recipe featuring thighs and drumsticks, we do not recommend flipping them. Leaving the chicken unflipped allows the skin to get wonderfully crispy as it bakes directly on the pan. Flipping can cause the accumulated juices to make the skin soggy, losing that desirable crisp texture.
A simple yet effective technique to ensure moist chicken is brining. Brine your chicken pieces in a solution of water and a couple of tablespoons of salt for approximately 20 to 30 minutes before marinating. This process helps boost the chicken’s natural moisture content and flavor, resulting in incredibly tender and juicy meat.
You have the option to bake with or without foil. For this recipe, baking the chicken uncovered is preferred as it allows the skin to brown and crisp up beautifully, giving it an appealing golden finish. Covering it with foil would steam the chicken, hindering the skin from becoming crispy. Once in the oven, it’s mostly hands-free until you need to check the internal temperature.
Explore More Delicious Chicken Recipes
- Spicy Cashew Chicken
- Baked Parmesan Chicken Tenders
- Cheesy Sundried Tomato Stuffed Chicken
- Easy Bruschetta Stuffed Chicken
- Baked Chicken Parmesan
Baked Mediterranean Chicken Recipe
This Baked Mediterranean Chicken is a fantastic one-pan dinner featuring succulent chicken, tender potatoes, sweet red onions, and burst tomatoes, all infused with a vibrant Mediterranean marinade. It’s incredibly easy to make, healthy, and promises minimal cleanup, making it perfect for any night of the week.
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- To Marinate the Chicken:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 lb chicken thighs and drumsticks, skin on and bone in
- For the Baking Pan:
- 2 medium red onions, quartered
- 5-6 red potatoes, quartered
- ¾ cup low sodium chicken stock
- 8 oz grape tomatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients (olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, paprika, ½ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp salt) except the chicken. Mix well. Add the chicken pieces, toss and coat them thoroughly. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes (or ideally, overnight in the refrigerator).
- In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread the quartered red onions and potatoes evenly. Place the marinated chicken on top of the vegetables.
- Pour the chicken stock over the chicken and vegetables. Bake for 20 minutes at 375°F (190°C).
- Remove the baking dish from the oven. Evenly spread the grape tomatoes over the chicken and vegetables. Drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp ground black pepper, and salt to taste. Return to the oven and bake for another 40 minutes, or until the chicken skin is golden brown and crispy, and the potatoes are cooked through (internal temperature of chicken should be 165°F / 74°C).
- Once done, sprinkle generously with freshly chopped parsley and serve warm.
Nutrition Information (per serving)
Calories: 662kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 116mg | Sodium: 467mg | Potassium: 1818mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1136IU | Vitamin C: 46mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 4mg
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