Baked Mediterranean Chicken Thighs

Baked Mediterranean Chicken Thighs

Mia

This Baked Mediterranean Chicken Thighs recipe brings the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean coast directly to your dinner table. Featuring bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs that become incredibly juicy and tender during baking, this dish is elevated with a colorful medley of bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, red onions, and briny Kalamata olives. The combination of garlic, oregano, and lemon creates an aromatic profile that's both bright and comforting.

What makes this recipe truly special is its simplicity and hands-off cooking method. Everything bakes together in one pan, allowing the chicken to render its flavorful juices that mingle with the vegetables and olive oil, creating a naturally delicious sauce. The high heat ensures the chicken skin becomes beautifully crispy while the vegetables caramelize and soften, developing deep, savory flavors.

This dish embodies the principles of the Mediterranean Diet perfectly, featuring lean protein, plenty of vegetables, heart-healthy olive oil, and aromatic herbs. It's a complete meal that requires minimal cleanup and delivers maximum flavor. The recipe is easily adaptable to whatever vegetables you have on hand, making it perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something nutritious, satisfying, and impressive without spending hours in the kitchen.

Serve these chicken thighs with crusty whole grain bread to soak up the delicious pan juices, or alongside a simple arugula salad and quinoa for a complete Mediterranean feast. The leftovers, if you have any, are equally delicious the next day and can be enjoyed cold or gently reheated.

Nutrition

1 hour
None servings
425 calories
Fat 28.00g
Carbs 12.00g
Protein 35.00g

Ingredients

8 piecesbone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, patted dry
3 tbspextra virgin olive oil
2 mediumbell peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 cupscherry tomatoes, halved
1 largered onion, cut into wedges
1/2 cupkalamata olives, pitted
4 clovesgarlic cloves, minced
2 tspdried oregano
1 largelemon, zested and juiced
1 tspsalt
1/2 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
1/4 cupfresh parsley, chopped (optional)
1/4 cupcrumbled feta cheese (optional)

Equipment

Cutting board
measuring spoons
measuring cups
paper towels
large mixing bowl
chef's knife
meat thermometer
zester or microplane
large baking dish or sheet pan (9x13 inches)

16:8 Diet

This complete, balanced meal is perfect for the 16:8 eating window, providing substantial protein from chicken, healthy fats from olive oil, and fiber-rich vegetables that deliver sustained energy and satiety. The nutrient-dense ingredients help meet daily nutritional needs within the compressed eating timeframe.

80/20 Diet

This recipe aligns with 80/20 principles as the majority of ingredients are nutrient-dense whole foods including vegetables, lean protein, olive oil, and fresh herbs, while the small amount of feta cheese and natural chicken fat represent the flexible 20%. The dish emphasizes anti-inflammatory ingredients and fiber-rich vegetables without strict restriction.

Clean Eating

This recipe exemplifies clean eating with its use of whole, minimally processed ingredients including fresh chicken thighs, colorful vegetables, extra virgin olive oil, and real feta cheese. Every ingredient is recognizable in its natural form with no refined sugars, artificial additives, or processed components.

Diabetic Diet

This recipe is diabetic-friendly with its emphasis on lean protein, non-starchy vegetables (peppers, tomatoes), and healthy fats from olive oil, all of which support stable blood sugar levels. The low-glycemic vegetables and absence of refined carbohydrates or added sugars make it an excellent choice for blood sugar management.

Gluten-Free Diet

This recipe is naturally gluten-free, containing only whole foods like chicken, vegetables, olives, olive oil, and feta cheese with no wheat, barley, rye, or gluten-containing ingredients. It's a safe, flavorful option that requires no modifications for those avoiding gluten.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This heart-healthy recipe features lean poultry, extra virgin olive oil rich in monounsaturated fats, and abundant vegetables that provide antioxidants and fiber. The Mediterranean-style preparation with minimal added sodium, no trans fats, and emphasis on whole foods supports cardiovascular health.

Intermittent Fasting

This nutrient-dense, protein-rich meal is ideal for intermittent fasting eating windows, providing sustained energy from quality chicken protein, healthy fats from olive oil, and fiber-rich vegetables that promote satiety throughout fasting periods. The whole, unprocessed ingredients support stable blood sugar levels and maximize nutritional value during limited eating times.

Intuitive Eating

This satisfying Mediterranean chicken dish honors intuitive eating principles by featuring nourishing whole foods that provide both pleasure and nutrition without restriction or guilt. The recipe celebrates flavor, variety, and satisfaction with its aromatic herbs, vibrant vegetables, and naturally delicious combination of textures.

Mediterranean Diet

This recipe perfectly embodies Mediterranean Diet principles with its emphasis on extra virgin olive oil, abundant vegetables (bell peppers, tomatoes, onions), Kalamata olives, fresh herbs, and poultry used in moderation. The dish features heart-healthy fats, minimal processing, and the vibrant flavors characteristic of Mediterranean coastal cuisine, while avoiding refined grains and processed ingredients.

Mindful Eating

This recipe supports mindful eating with its diverse textures (crispy chicken skin, tender vegetables, briny olives), vibrant colors (red peppers, yellow tomatoes, purple onions), and aromatic profile from garlic, oregano, and lemon. The whole, minimally processed ingredients engage multiple senses and encourage slow, conscious appreciation of each component.

Instructions

1

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and position the rack in the middle of the oven.

1 min
2

Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.

2 min
3

In a large bowl, combine the bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, Kalamata olives, minced garlic, dried oregano, lemon zest, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and half of the lemon juice. Toss everything together until well coated.

3 min
4

Spread the vegetable mixture evenly across the bottom of a large baking dish or sheet pan (approximately 9x13 inches).

1 min
5

Arrange the seasoned chicken thighs on top of the vegetables, skin side up, spacing them evenly across the pan.

1 min
6

Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the chicken thighs and rub it into the skin.

1 min
7

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the skin is golden and crispy.

45 min
8

Remove the pan from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes.

5 min
9

Drizzle the remaining lemon juice over the chicken and vegetables, then garnish with fresh parsley and crumbled feta cheese if desired.

1 min
10

Serve the chicken thighs with the roasted vegetables and pan juices spooned over the top.

Frequently Asked Questions