Description
This Mediterranean Chicken recipe features tender, seasoned chicken thighs or breasts roasted alongside vibrant bell peppers, zucchini, red onion, and cherry tomatoes. Finished with Kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, lemon juice, and fresh parsley, it’s a colorful, healthy, and flavorful one-pan meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables and Toppings
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small red onion, sliced
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- â…“ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (205°C) to prepare for roasting the chicken and vegetables evenly.
- Prepare the seasoning: In a small bowl, combine olive oil, dried oregano, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. This mixture will infuse the chicken with classic Mediterranean flavors.
- Season the chicken: Place the chicken thighs or breasts in a large bowl or zip-top bag and thoroughly coat them with the seasoning mixture ensuring every piece is evenly covered.
- Arrange in baking dish: Lay the seasoned chicken in a large baking dish or sheet pan. Surround it with sliced red and yellow bell peppers, red onion slices, zucchini, and whole cherry tomatoes, distributing everything evenly.
- Roast the chicken and vegetables: Place the dish in the preheated oven and roast for 25 to 30 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F) and the vegetables are tender but not mushy.
- Add olives and feta: In the final 5 minutes of cooking, scatter the halved Kalamata olives over the chicken and vegetables, then sprinkle crumbled feta cheese evenly on top. Return to the oven to allow the cheese to soften slightly.
- Finish with lemon and parsley: After removing from the oven, drizzle fresh lemon juice over the dish and garnish with chopped fresh parsley for brightness and an added fresh herb aroma before serving.
Notes
- This dish pairs excellently with couscous, fluffy rice, or warm pita bread to soak up all the Mediterranean flavors.
- For deeper flavor, marinate the chicken in the seasoning mixture for up to 24 hours prior to cooking.
- Feel free to customize by adding or substituting vegetables such as eggplant slices or artichoke hearts according to preference.
