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Easy Sheet Pan Mediterranean Chicken Recipe with Olives and Feta for Perfect Weeknight Dinner

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A quick and easy sheet pan Mediterranean chicken dish featuring juicy chicken thighs, Kalamata olives, and melty feta cheese, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1 lemon, juice and zest
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 red onion, cut into wedges
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt, about 1 teaspoon
  • Freshly ground black pepper, about 1/2 teaspoon

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice and zest, minced garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
  3. Pat chicken thighs dry with a paper towel and toss them in the marinade until well coated. Let sit for at least 10 minutes, preferably 30 minutes.
  4. Cut the red onion into wedges, halve the cherry tomatoes, and pit the Kalamata olives. Toss these veggies gently with a small drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt.
  5. Arrange the chicken thighs skin-side up on a rimmed sheet pan, spacing them out evenly. Scatter the onion wedges, tomatoes, and olives around the chicken.
  6. Sprinkle fresh oregano and thyme leaves over the chicken and veggies.
  7. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the chicken skin is golden and crisp and juices run clear. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  8. About 5 minutes before the chicken finishes, crumble the feta cheese evenly over the pan and return to the oven until the feta softens but does not fully melt.
  9. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before marinating for crispy skin. Do not overcrowd the pan to avoid steaming. Add feta cheese in the last 5 minutes of baking to keep texture. Use fresh herbs for best flavor. Check chicken early if oven runs hot. Leftovers reheat best in oven covered with foil to maintain crispness.

Nutrition

Keywords: sheet pan chicken, Mediterranean chicken, chicken thighs, olives, feta cheese, easy dinner, weeknight meal, healthy chicken recipe

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