Mediterranean Chicken with Vegetables
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Preparing dinner on a hectic weeknight can be a challenge, but this Mediterranean Chicken with Vegetables simplifies the process. Here's why this recipe will become a staple in your household:
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Convenient One-Pan Meal: All the ingredients are cooked together on one single sheet pan, which means fewer dishes for you to wash. It's a complete meal with protein and vegetables, all in one.
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Healthy Ingredients: This dish incorporates fresh, wholesome ingredients like cherry tomatoes, zucchinis, red onions, and chicken thighs, providing you with a nutrient-packed dinner.
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Bursting with Flavour: The marinade, made with olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, and oregano, infuses the chicken and vegetables with a delightful Mediterranean flavour that will please even the most discerning family members taste buds.
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Customizable: You can easily adjust the vegetables or add other Mediterranean favourites like bell peppers, artichokes, or baby potatoes to suit your taste or what you have on hand.
What is a Sheet Pan Dinner?
Sheet pan dinners have become incredibly popular. Most likely due to their simplicity. Simply put, it involves cooking an entire meal on a single sheet pan, therefor minimizing cleanup and making preparation a breeze. By roasting the ingredients together, you achieve a harmony of flavours and textures that’s hard to beat. This Mediterranean Chicken with Vegetables is one of the quintessential sheet pan dinners that exemplifies these benefits.
Let's talk Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet is renowned for its health benefits. Including but not limited to: promotes heart health, reduces inflammation, and supports healthy weight management.
The Mediterranean diet emphasizes whole foods such as:
- Olive Oil: A healthy fat high in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants.
- Lots of Vegetables: Rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
- Lean Proteins: Chicken, fish, and legumes.
- Fresh Herbs and Spices: Adding flavour without extra calories or sodium.
This Mediterranean Chicken with Vegetables recipe is an excellent example of how delicious and practical this eating style can be.
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (whole (otherwise they will collapse))
- 4 whole chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
- 2 medium zucchinis (sliced into half-moons)
- 1 medium red onion (cut into wedges)
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 cup olives, pitted (Kalamata or green)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 medium lemon (Zest only)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 handful parsley (finely chopped)
- 1/2 cup feta (crumbled)
- Oven TempPreheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper for easier cleanup.
- Mix the marinadeIn a small bowl, mix together the dried oregano, minced garlic, lemon zest, olive oil, salt, and pepper. This creates a flavorful marinade.
- Prep the chickenPat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and place them in a large mixing bowl. Pour half of the marinade over the chicken and rub it into the skin and meat, ensuring the chicken is evenly coated.
- Let it hang out for a bit and soak up all that goodness!Let the chicken marinate at room temperature for 15-20 minutes, or if you have time, cover and let it marinate in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours.
- Prep the veggiesWhile the chicken is marinating, prepare the vegetables. In another large bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes, sliced zucchinis, red onion wedges, and olives.
- Toss in the sauceDrizzle the remaining marinade over the vegetables and toss to coat evenly. Use just enough marinade to lightly coat the vegetables, and discard any marinade left at the bottom of the bowl.
- Final assemblySpread the marinated vegetables in a single layer on the prepared sheet pan. Nestle the marinated chicken thighs among the vegetables, skin side up.
- RoastRoast in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Halfway through cooking, gently stir the vegetables for even roasting, being careful not to disturb the chicken too much.
- Once done, remove the sheet pan from the oven and let the chicken rest for a few minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.
- GarnishIf using, sprinkle fresh parsley and crumbled feta over the vegetables and chicken for extra flavor and a beautiful presentation.
Chef's Notes
- Uniform Sizes:Cut vegetables into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking.
- Crispy Skin:For extra crispy chicken skin, turn on the broiler for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
- Variations: Experiment with additional Mediterranean herbs and spices, such as thyme, rosemary, or za'atar.
- Meal Prep:You know we love our prep ahead meals here at the coordinated cook, and this my friends is no exception.This dish can be prepped ahead. Simply marinate the chicken and prep the vegetables the night before, storing them separately in the fridge. We cannot stress the separately part enough ......this is raw chicken we are marinating folks. Please do not store the veg and chicken together!!! Assemble and roast when ready to cook.
