Baked Mediterranean Chicken Recipe
Are you looking for a flavorful, healthy dinner that’s easy to make? This baked Mediterranean chicken recipe is perfect! Juicy chicken breasts, colorful veggies, olives, and herbs come together in one pan for a simple, delicious meal. For more easy dinners, try this easy chicken penne vodka, cozy chicken pot pie with crescent rolls, or hearty chicken macaroni casserole.
This is literally the easiest recipe ever! With minimal prep and mostly hands-off cooking, you can enjoy a restaurant-quality meal any night of the week. The mix of sweet cherry tomatoes, tangy olives, and savory herbs gives this dish that classic Mediterranean flavor. For a hearty side, try this chicken macaroni casserole.
What You’ll Love About This Recipe
- One-Pan Wonder – Everything cooks together in a single baking dish, meaning less cleanup and more flavor as the ingredients mingle while cooking
- Healthy and Satisfying – Packed with lean protein, vegetables, and heart-healthy olive oil, this dish follows Mediterranean diet principles
- Versatile and Adaptable – Easily customize with your favorite vegetables or what you have on hand while maintaining the core Mediterranean flavors
Recipe Ingredients
This baked Mediterranean chicken recipe brings together classic Mediterranean ingredients for a flavor explosion. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Cherry tomatoes
- Kalamata olives
- Red onion
- Bell pepper
- Garlic
- Dried herbs (oregano and thyme)
- Paprika
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Feta cheese
- Fresh parsley
- Lemon
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken Breasts: For the most tender results, try to select chicken breasts that are similar in size so they cook evenly. You can also use chicken thighs if you prefer darker meat with more flavor and moisture.
- Kalamata Olives: These provide the distinctive Mediterranean flavor, but you can substitute with black olives if needed. Just don’t skip the olives altogether – they add essential briny notes to the dish.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Use the best quality you can afford as it significantly impacts the flavor. A good olive oil with fruity or peppery notes will elevate the entire dish.
How to Make Baked Mediterranean Chicken Recipe
Looking for the complete, detailed instructions? You’ll find the full printable recipe card at the end of this post. Here’s a simplified overview of how to make this delicious baked Mediterranean chicken recipe:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C)
- Place chicken in a greased baking dish and season with herbs and spices
- Arrange vegetables and olives around the chicken
- Drizzle everything with olive oil
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F
- Top with feta cheese (if using)
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges
Pro Tips
For the juiciest chicken and most flavorful results, don’t rush the baking process and let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. The flavors actually improve after a day as the ingredients continue to meld together.
- Freezing: You can freeze this dish for up to 3 months. Freeze in individual portions for easy meal prep. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: For best results, reheat in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes or until warmed through. You can also microwave individual portions, but the texture of the vegetables won’t be as good.
Additions & Substitutions
Additions:
- Add artichoke hearts for an extra Mediterranean touch
- Include a sprinkle of pine nuts for crunch and nuttiness
- Toss in some spinach or kale during the last 5 minutes of cooking for added nutrition
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving for a sweet-tangy finish
Substitutions:
- Swap chicken breasts for boneless chicken thighs for juicier meat
- Use a mix of colored bell peppers instead of just one for more visual appeal
- Replace feta with goat cheese for a creamier texture
- Substitute fresh herbs for dried (use 3 times the amount) if you have them on hand
FAQs about this Baked Mediterranean Chicken Recipe
What seasonings go on Mediterranean chicken?
What is in Mediterranean marinade for chicken?
How to make Mediterranean spices for chicken?
What Can I Serve with Mediterranean Chicken?
This baked Mediterranean chicken recipe is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a side of fluffy couscous, quinoa, or crusty bread to soak up all the delicious juices. A simple Greek salad also makes a perfect accompaniment for a truly authentic Mediterranean feast.
If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Please leave a comment below and share your photos on social media – don’t forget to tag me so I can see your delicious creations!
Save this recipe for later!You May Also Like
- Gluten Free Chicken Pot Pie
- Healthy Chicken Instant Pot
- Instant Pot Garlic Chicken
- Dairy Free Chicken Sauce
Baked Mediterranean Chicken
Equipment
- Baking Dish Large enough to fit the chicken and vegetables in a single layer
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into halves
Vegetables
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup Kalamata olives pitted and halved
- 1 large red onion thinly sliced
- 1 large bell pepper thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
Seasonings
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp paprika
- salt and pepper to taste
Other
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup feta cheese crumbled (optional)
- fresh parsley chopped for garnish
- lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Grease a large baking dish with a little olive oil.
- Place the chicken in the baking dish and season both sides with salt, pepper, oregano, thyme, and paprika.
- Arrange the cherry tomatoes, olives, red onion, bell pepper, and garlic around the chicken.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken and vegetables, tossing gently to coat evenly.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through (165°F/75°C) and the vegetables are tender.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle feta cheese over the top if using.
- Garnish with parsley and serve with lemon wedges.