Dive into the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with this Easy Greek Sheet-Pan Chicken, a recipe that stands out for its simplicity and depth of flavor. With minimal prep and customizable ingredients, it’s a healthier, tastier alternative to your usual dinner routine, guaranteed to become a weeknight favorite
This Greek Sheet-Pan Chicken combines tender chicken thighs marinated in a zesty lemon and olive oil dressing with colorful vegetables on a single sheet pan.
Picture this: juicy chicken thighs marinating in a lively lemon and olive oil mix, paired with a medley of vibrant veggies, all cooked together on a single sheet pan. And for that extra punch? We’re throwing in some Feta cheese and olives to give it that tangy kick.
It’s a breeze to prepare—just 5 minutes of prep and 40 minutes in the oven. You’ll have a delicious, heart-healthy meal that’s oozing with Mediterranean goodness.
Ideal for busy weeknights or meal prep, this recipe offers a delicious way to enjoy a Mediterranean chicken dinner without the hassle.
🥘 Ingredients and Substitutes
- Chicken Thighs are the star of the show, providing juicy, flavorful meat that remains tender during roasting. For a leaner option, chicken breasts can be used, though keep an eye on cooking time as they cook faster and can dry out if overcooked. Alternatively, for a vegetarian twist, portobello mushrooms can stand in, offering a meaty texture and rich flavor.
- Lemon Pepper adds a zesty, tangy kick, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the dish. If you don’t have lemon pepper on hand, a mix of freshly grated lemon zest and cracked black pepper can offer a similar fresh and spicy flavor balance.
- Zucchini brings a mild, earthy flavor and a nice bite to the mix, contributing to the vegetable medley. If zucchini is out of season or not your favorite, yellow squash makes an easy swap, offering a similar texture and taste. Eggplant is another great substitute, adding a bit more body and a slightly different flavor profile to the dish.
- Bell Pepper offers a sweet, slightly tangy flavor and a pop of color. If bell peppers are not available or preferred, red onion or cherry tomatoes can provide a similar sweetness and a burst of color, respectively, though with a different texture and flavor nuance.
- Olives add a briny, salty depth that contrasts nicely with the other ingredients. If olives aren’t your thing, capers could be a good alternative, offering a similar salty, tangy kick without the distinct olive flavor.
- Feta Cheese contributes a creamy, tangy element that complements the Mediterranean flavors beautifully. For those who are dairy-free or looking for a different option, crumbled goat cheese offers a similar creamy tanginess, while a vegan feta can be used to keep the dish plant-based.
- Tomatoes bring juiciness and a sweet, acidic balance to the dish, brightening up the overall flavor profile. If tomatoes aren’t in season or you’re looking for a variation, diced red bell peppers can provide a sweet, slightly crunchy alternative, or sun-dried tomatoes can offer a more concentrated, tangy-sweet flavor.
👩🍳 Step-by-step Directions
First, wash and thoroughly dry the meat and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Then, take a bowl and mix the oil, salt, pepper, and lemon pepper to create the marinade.
Quick Note: Pay attention to the amount of salt in the lemon pepper, and adjust the extra amount of salt you add accordingly.
Next, place the meat in a bowl and pour half of the marinade over it, mix well, and let it marinate. After that, move to the next step to prep the vegetables.
Wash the vegetables and cut them into large pieces so they retain their shape during roasting. Place the vegetables in a casserole and pour the rest of the marinade over them.
Mix the vegetables well with the marinade and place the meat in the pan alongside them.
Quick Note: Ensure the meat is placed at the bottom of the pan and the vegetables on top or beside it, so the meat receives more heat from the pan and cooks faster.
Finally, add the cherry tomatoes and olives on top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes at 350°F (175°C) or until the meat is well cooked.
Quick Note: The baking time may vary depending on the oven and the size of the meat pieces.
Once done, remove the pan from the oven and crumble feta cheese over the top.
Serve while hot with a slice of bread to enjoy the delicious sauce that has formed in the pan.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Warm Pita Bread or Flatbread: Serve your Greek Sheet-Pan Chicken with a side of warm, fluffy pita bread or flatbread. This is perfect for scooping up the chicken, vegetables, and that delicious mix of juices and feta cheese on the pan. It adds a comforting, hearty element to the meal, embracing the essence of Mediterranean dining.
- Couscous or Quinoa: Pair your dish with a side of light and fluffy couscous or quinoa. These grains make for a wonderful base that absorbs all the savory juices, creating a perfect bite every time. They’re also quick and easy to prepare, making them ideal companions for your easy weeknight chicken dinner.
- Greek Salad: Complement your sheet pan meal with a fresh Greek salad. The crispness of cucumbers, the sweetness of tomatoes, and the tanginess of a simple vinaigrette alongside olives and more feta cheese can brighten the meal and add a refreshing contrast to the roasted elements.
- Tzatziki Sauce: Offer a side of cool, creamy tzatziki sauce to add a refreshing, herby layer to your dish. Its cucumber and dill flavors will enhance the lemon and garlic notes of the chicken, making for a delightful flavor combination that’s hard to resist.
- Roasted Potatoes: For those who love their carbs, adding a side of crispy roasted potatoes seasoned with oregano and lemon can round out the meal beautifully. They can be roasted on a separate sheet pan in the same oven, ensuring everything is ready at the same time.
- Rice Pilaf: A side of rice pilaf, fragrant with herbs and a touch of lemon zest, can serve as a subtle, comforting base that complements the bold flavors of the Greek Sheet-Pan Chicken without overshadowing them.
- Steamed Green Beans: For a simple, healthy addition, lightly steamed green beans tossed with a bit of olive oil and lemon juice offer a crisp, vibrant side that balances the richness of the dish.
😻 Storage
In the Fridge
Allow the chicken and vegetables to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation inside the container, which could make the veggies soggy.
Transfer the cooled chicken and vegetables into an airtight container. If you have a lot of leftovers, consider storing them in separate containers to make reheating portions easier.
The Easy Greek Sheet-Pan Chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Make sure your fridge is set to below 40°F (4°C) to ensure safe storage.
In the Freezer
If you plan to freeze the dish, it’s best to do so in portion-sized containers for easier thawing and reheating. Use freezer-safe containers to prevent freezer burn.
Label the containers with the date, so you know when it was stored. The dish can be kept frozen for up to 3 months for optimal taste and quality.
To thaw, transfer the desired portion from the freezer to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight. Avoid thawing at room temperature, as it can lead to bacterial growth.
Reheating Instructions:
When you’re ready to enjoy your stored Greek Sheet-Pan Chicken, reheat it gently to preserve its moisture and flavor.
For the best results, reheat it in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), transfer the chicken and vegetables to a baking dish, and cover with foil to prevent drying out. Heat for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. If it was frozen, you might need to extend the heating time.
Alternatively, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave. Use a microwave-safe dish, cover it to keep the moisture in, and heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming. Be cautious as microwaves can unevenly heat and potentially dry out the chicken.
Considerations
- Remember that the texture of the vegetables may change slightly upon reheating, especially if they’ve been frozen and thawed. They might be a bit softer but will still be tasty.
- If you’ve added feta cheese before storing, it might become a bit softer and less crumbly upon reheating. This doesn’t affect the dish’s flavor but something to keep in mind regarding texture.
🏆 Expert Tips. What to Pay Attention To?
- Choose the Right Chicken Thighs: For the juiciest and most flavorful outcome, opt for bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. They tend to be more flavorful and retain moisture better than boneless, skinless varieties, making them ideal for roasting. This choice aligns well with the goal of achieving a quick healthy chicken thigh recipe without sacrificing taste or texture.
- Uniform Vegetable Sizing: When chopping your vegetables—zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes—aim for uniform pieces. This ensures they cook evenly and finish at the same time as your chicken, embodying the essence of a harmonious one-pan Greek chicken and vegetables.
- Maximize Flavor with Marinade: The ladolemono (lemon and garlic) marinade is crucial for infusing the chicken and vegetables with vibrant Mediterranean flavors. For the best results, allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight in the fridge, if time permits. This step is pivotal in elevating your dish to the status of the best Greek chicken recipe.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Spread the chicken and vegetables in a single layer on the sheet pan to ensure everything roasts evenly. Overcrowding can lead to steaming rather than roasting, resulting in softer vegetables and less crisp chicken skin.
- Add Feta and Olives Towards the End: To prevent the feta cheese from drying out and the olives from becoming too shriveled, sprinkle them over the chicken and vegetables during the last 10 minutes of roasting. This ensures they warm through and impart their salty, briny flavors without losing texture.
- Let It Rest: After removing your sheet pan from the oven, let the dish rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring every bite of your Greek chicken with feta and olives is succulent and rich in flavor.
🤔 Answering Your Questions:
Is This Recipe Suitable for Meal Prep?
Absolutely! This Greek Sheet-Pan Chicken is excellent for meal prep. It can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. When meal prepping, store the dish in airtight containers and reheat portions as needed, following the proper thawing and reheating guidelines to enjoy a quick, healthy meal any day of the week.
How Can I Ensure the Vegetables Don’t Become Too Soft?
To prevent your vegetables from becoming too soft, make sure to cut them into large enough pieces so they can withstand the roasting time needed for the chicken to cook through. Additionally, spreading them out in a single layer on the sheet pan ensures they roast rather than steam. If you prefer your vegetables with a bit more crunch, you can add them to the pan partway through the cooking time instead of at the beginning.
📋 Recipe Card:
Easy Greek Sheet-Pan Chicken with Veggies
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Olive Oil
- 1 tablespoons Lemon Pepper
- 4 pieces Chicken Thighs
- 1 piece Zucchini medium
- 1 piece Bell pepper
- ½ cup Olives kalamata
- 3 oz Feta
- 3 oz Cherry Tomatoes
- Salt
- Black Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Wash and dry the meat.
- Mix olive oil, salt, black pepper, and lemon pepper to create the marinade. Adjust the salt according to the lemon pepper's saltiness.¼ cup Olive Oil, 1 tablespoons Lemon Pepper, Salt, Black Pepper
- In a bowl, coat the chicken with half of the marinade and let it marinate.4 pieces Chicken Thighs
- Wash and chop vegetables into large pieces. Toss the vegetables in a casserole with the remaining marinade.1 piece Zucchini, 1 piece Bell pepper
- Arrange the marinated meat at the bottom of the pan. Place the marinated vegetables around or on top of the meat. Scatter cherry tomatoes and olives over the top.3 oz Cherry Tomatoes, ½ cup Olives
- Bake for 40 minutes at 350°F (175°C), or until the meat is fully cooked. Note: Cooking time may vary.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle feta cheese over the cooked chicken and veggies.3 oz Feta
- Serve while hot.
Quick Note
I highly recommend reading the entire recipe to find more tips and notes about this recipe. Read Full Recipe ⇑
Notes
- For an extra burst of flavor, consider marinating the chicken thighs in the lemon-garlic mixture for several hours or overnight in the refrigerator. This deepens the flavors and tenderizes the chicken, resulting in an even more delicious dish.
- If you’re sensitive to salt, be mindful of the saltiness of the olives and feta cheese when seasoning your chicken and vegetables. You may want to adjust the amount of added salt accordingly.
- To achieve a slightly charred and crispy finish on the vegetables, consider broiling the sheet pan for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking time. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
- This recipe is adaptable to various dietary needs. For a gluten-free option, ensure all your ingredients, including spices and feta cheese, are certified gluten-free. For a dairy-free version, omit the feta cheese or use a dairy-free cheese alternative that can withstand the heat without melting away.
- I recommend using a heavy-duty, non-stick sheet pan or lining your pan with parchment paper for easier cleanup. This prevents sticking and ensures your chicken and vegetables roast perfectly without burning onto the pan.
- For those who love a bit of spice, adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix can introduce a warm, spicy element to the dish, complementing the tangy and savory flavors beautifully.
Nutrition Estimates
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