Looking for a crowd pleasing baked chicken and potatoes dinner? Just throw chicken thighs and potatoes into a pan, pour over a lemon, olive oil and oregano marinade, and bake. Made with just 6 ingredients, this one pan chicken dinner is perfect for a midweek meal, but impressive enough for guests. Don’t forget a Greek salad on the side!
Transport yourself to sunny Greece
One of the fastest ways to imagine yourself eating in Greece in a cute taverna with blue wooden chairs is to make this easy chicken and potatoes in the oven.
It’s one of the simplest every day meals in Greece. If you’d grown up there, something like this would have appeared on the dinner table regularly.
But while this is an authentic recipe for Greek chicken (which is what you can proudly tell your friends when they’re tucking into it!), It doesn’t have a fancy name. It’s just called oven baked chicken.
You could say it’s the Greek aunt of this simple stove top chicken and rice.
This is one of the many reasons I love Greek food so much. It often doesn’t sound (or even look) anything special, but one bite and you’ll be blown away…
Why this will become one of your go-to recipes
- It’s a one pan meal. And who doesn’t love those?
- You only need about 10 minutes hands on time to make it.
- It’s a 6-ingredient recipe made with everyday ingredients. Buy some chicken thighs and a lemon and you probably have everything else already.
- It’s a crowd pleaser. Even the pickiest eaters will love it.
- It’s easy – but it’s impressive! Serve it as an easy midweek meal for your family, or for guests with a Greek salad, crusty fresh bread and tzatziki sauce (recipe in this post). It’ll look like a Greek feast!
- You can prepare the potatoes and marinade ahead. All you have to do when you’re ready to eat is pop the potatoes in the oven for 20 minutes, nestle in the chicken, then pour over the marinade and bake.
- It’s an easy and super delicious way to try out the Mediterranean diet! (Hello olive oil, oregano, and super healthy Greek salad ingredients!)
Ingredients
This is all you need (I told you it was easy):
- potatoes roughly sliced into chunky wedges
- skinless boneless chicken thighs
For the Greek chicken marinade:
- the juice and zest of a lemon
- lots of olive oil (but it doesn’t taste oily)
- dried oregano
And finally:
- plenty of salt & pepper
Yep, just 6 ingredients!
Pro tip: Grind more salt over this dish than you would usually. Just trust me on this one!
I’m convinced – so how do you make it?
You only need to follow 5 simple steps to get this on your dinner table in about an hour (with only about 10 minutes hands-on time!)
Step 1: Toss some potato wedges in olive oil, then roast in the oven for about 20 minutes. To give them a head start! (Photo 1)
Step 2: Make the easy Greek marinade. (Photo 2)
Step 3: Nestle chicken thighs in among the part cooked potatoes (Photo 3), then drizzle over the marinade. Mostly over the chicken, but it doesn’t matter if some goes over the potatoes too. (Photo 4)
Step 4: Drizzle the whole dish with the delicious Greek chicken marinade. (Photo 4)
Step 5: Tuck the used lemon halves into the pan as well, then sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Bake for about 45 minutes. (Photos 5 and 6)
The oven does most of the work. And that’s where the magic happens. While the dish is baking, the juices from the chicken mix with the marinade to make the most incredible ‘sauce’. They also run into the potatoes and make them perfectly tasty, tender, and crispy.
Erm… that’s a lot of olive oil!
As you make the marinade, you might be thinking it’s a lot of oil to use.
But again, trust me. As the chicken cooks, the juices run into the marinade and create the most delicious lemon oregano ‘sauce’ to mop up with your bread.
What to serve with this meal
I don’t know about you but I always like to know how to serve a meal I find online. The best way to serve this is with:
- a traditional Greek salad (see this post: how to make a Greek salad for a perfect recipe and how-to video!)
- fresh crusty bread. We like to toast ours and drizzle it with olive oil and sprinkle it with salt.
- tzatziki (or just Greek yogurt if you like – that’s what I usually serve!)
Don’t skip these amazing Greek side dishes. They turn a good meal into a fantastic meal – one you can just as equally enjoy as an easy midweek meal, or as a delicious Mediterranean feast to serve to guests.
Make sure you have a bit of everything on your fork, including some feta from the salad and a bit of Greek yogurt or tzatziki. Then close your eyes and imagine yourself at a taverna at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens.
Can I reheat the leftovers?
Surprisingly… yes! I usually just reheat slowly (on 50% power) in the microwave. There are fewer crispy bits, but it’s more intensely flavoured by the marinade by the second day.
Final thoughts…
- After you’ve made this a couple of times, you could probably make it without the recipe. Have you added a little more or less of each ingredient? No problem!
- You will find that the potatoes are half crispy and half soaked in the delicious lemony oregano ‘sauce’. This is exactly how they are supposed to be. Enjoy!
- If you find your potatoes stick to the pan a bit (or a lot), no problem! In fact, all the better. Scrape up all those delicious crispy bits and the person who gets them will be one very happy diner!
FORGET THE CHICKEN, JUST FEED ME POTATOES! If you just need a potato side dish that’s easy but a little bit different, try these amazing crispy Greek potatoes. They truly are the best! Serve with chicken, fish, steak, anything…
More scrumptious Greek main meals
- Greek oven baked fish (your new favourite way to cook fish!)
- Easy moussaka (the ultimate guide!)
- One pan Greek couscous with halloumi (a vegetarian option)
- Greek lamb with lemony garlic potatoes (highly recommended if you’re looking to impress!)
- Greek stuffed peppers and tomatoes
- Baked Greek chicken orzo (another tasty one pot chicken dinner)
Or if you’re just enjoying the whole Greek food vibe in this post, you might like to check out my Greek recipes archives!
Last but not least: Need a quick and easy dessert to serve after this meal? Here are 11 really easy dessert recipes (6 ingredients or less).
IF YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE, LET ME KNOW HOW YOU GET ON BY LEAVING A COMMENT AND RATING BELOW… AND DON’T FORGET TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE ALL MY NEW RECIPES BY EMAIL!
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Amazingly delicious Greek baked chicken and potatoes
Equipment (affiliate links)
Ingredients (UK/Australia? Click below for grams/ml)
- 1¾ pounds medium-sized potatoes peeled & sliced into wedges
- ¼ cup olive oil plus a little extra
- 2 pounds skinless boneless chicken thighs (8-10 thighs)
- 1 lemon zest & juice
- 1 large teaspoon dried oregano
- salt & black pepper
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 390F/200C.
- Put the raw potato wedges into a large baking dish or roasting pan (in one layer if you can). Drizzle with a little olive oil, toss with your hands and bake for about 20 minutes.
- Remove the potatoes from the oven and nestle the chicken thighs in amongst them in the dish. Add the squeezed lemon halves as well.
- Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice & zest & oregano and drizzle all over the chicken and potatoes. Grind over plenty of salt and black pepper, then put the dish back in the oven and bake for 45 minutes or until the chicken juices run clear when you poke the meat with a knife and the whole dish is golden.
- Serve with a big traditional Greek salad, Greek yogurt and crusty bread.
Notes
Feeding a crowd?
This can very easily be doubled or tripled for a larger number of people – just use a HUGE dish (or you could use 2 smaller ones of course).Potatoes
Don’t worry if the potatoes are a bit (or a lot!) stuck to the baking dish after you’ve pre-baked them. Just loosen them and toss before adding in the chicken. This will just make the potatoes all the more crispy and delicious when you serve the final dish!Obligatory sides!
Serve with a traditional Greek salad of tomatoes, cucumber, onions, green peppers, black olives and a big slab of feta cheese. Sprinkle the salad with oregano and plenty of olive oil just before serving.Reheating leftovers
We often reheat the leftovers the next day and eat them with a fresh Greek salad. I usually just reheat on 50% heat for a few minutes in the microwave until the chicken is piping hot. The potatoes are often a bit less crispy, but just as if not more delicious!Nutrition
Note: This post has been updated from its original version to include new photos, step-by-step cooking instructions, an FAQ, similar recipes, and a how-to video. I hope you like it!
Aimee says
Love the crispy potatoes. So much flavor!!!!
Helen says
Thanks, Aimee! Hope you give it a go some time!
Billie says
I have been looking for this recipe for a long time. This is it! This is so delicious!
Helen says
Hello, Billie! I’m so happy that this is something you’ve been looking for. This is seriously one of my all-time favourite meals. Don’t forget to have a Greek salad with it! 🙂
Cheryl Gauden says
im going to print these out when i get some ink they sound amazing keep up the great work
Helen says
Hello, Cheryl! Oh, please do give this recipe a go! This is one of mine and my husband’s favourite meals. Honestly, you’ll really think you’re in Greece while eating this! Thanks so much for passing by!
Denise says
This is dinner tonight- no lemons but grapefruit will have to do.Love Greek food!
Helen says
Hi Denise! Oh, grapefruit will be just fine … why not? Let me know how you found it!
[email protected] Eats says
I love dinners like this! So easy but packed full of flavour. And I entered the Giveaway!! Of course 😉
Helen says
So glad you like this, Nagi! My fave! 🙂
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
I need more as well as simple things to do with chicken so I am pinning this one.
Helen says
Great! Really hope you try this, Bintu! I had this again today for dinner and it really is a perfect mid-week meal!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Helen you are so generous on both counts-firstly for giving us this delicious recipe and secondly for the giveaway! “D
Helen says
Tee hee … thank you, Lorraine! I aim to please! 😉
Kelley @ Chef Savvy says
What a wonderful giveaway! This chicken and potatoes looks amazing!! I love the combination of lemon and oregano.
Helen says
Hi, Kelley! So happy you like the giveaway and hope you entered! I also hope you try out this meal some time – it’s so worth it!
Liz says
Whoa, what a simple, delectable dish! Perect as we’re just on the last leg of our flight home. I need easy dinners for the next few days. I need to enter your giveaway, too, when I get back to my computer 🙂
Helen says
Great! So glad I could have been of some help to you this week, Liz! Hope you had a good trip and got home safely.
Ashley says
I just completely love the simplicity of this meal! And it sounds so so good!
And I cannot wait for that greek salad recipe … one of my absolute favs!!
Helen says
Aw, thanks, Ashley! Do try the chicken dinner – we had it again tonight and it can’t fail to please. Greek salad recipe just posted!
[email protected] Well Floured Kitchen says
This dinner is amazing! Love all of those greek flavors- I cook with them often. Wish I was on the coast of the Mediterranean! Great giveaway too 🙂
Helen says
Hi, Sherri! Thanks so much for taking the time to pass by and comment. So glad you like this dinner – I just love the flavours and simplicity of Greek food. I wish I was over in the Mediterranean, too … although perhaps not today as it’s snowing there, I hear! 🙂
Annie @ ciaochowbambina says
So perfect for a weeknight meal! I love the combination of flavors… especially when enhanced by crispy potatoes!!
Helen says
Hi, Annie, and Happy New Year! So happy you approve of this meal!
Eva says
Un repas méditerranéen? J’ai dit oui!! Surtout avec la grisaille de l’hiver !
Helen says
Je suis d’accord! Ce repas me rapelle beacoup des vacances d’ete! 🙂
Queen of Spices says
so glad to see a giveaway that isnt restricted to the US! I am new to food blogging and am enjoying seeing such wonderful blogs as yours.
Helen says
Hello! Thanks so much for passing by. I so agree re. the non-US giveaway … it’s a rare thing indeed! Thanks so much for the compliment on the blog (blush) and … of course, a big welcome to food blogging! All the best!
Maggie says
It’s a pity that I didn’t try out this one when I was traveling in Greece! And totally agree that it goes great wit Greek salad. I love the refreshing seasonings in this recipe. Can’t wait to try out soon!
Helen says
Hello, Maggie! Never mind that you didn’t try this in Greece – it’s so easy to make at home and I promise you it tastes just like it would in Greece as it’s so so simple. 🙂
Samina | The Cupcake Confession says
Helen, I am LITERALLY drooling all over my screen right now!!!!!! This looks so so SOOOOOO good!!!!!! I’m just imagining how amazing this chicken will taste with its lemony – oregano flavor. And the juices from the chicken crisping up the potatoes????? THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN THAT! <3 I so need to make this (with the Greek Salad, of course!)
Helen says
Hi, Samina! So happy you’re as enthusiastic about this dish as I am. It’s truly one of my favourite easy meals. 😉
cheri says
Love Greek food, especially dishes like this. Great give away Helen!
Helen says
Hi Cheri .. so glad you like it!
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
LOVING all these flavors… I’m a big fan of Greek food and lemon-oregano is the bomb dot com!! Happy New Year Helen!
Helen says
Happy New Year to you, too! 🙂
marcie says
I love the sound of this Mediterranean meal, Helen, and with that salad on the side? Heaven! I’ve really been craving Greek food lately. 🙂 Awesome giveaway, too!
Helen says
This really is a heavenly meal, Marcie … although I say it myself. So simple and yet truly delicious. Glad you like the giveaway, too!
Allie | Baking a Moment says
Thank you so much for the amazing giveaway, and omg! This dish sounds phenomenal!
Helen says
You’re so welcome, Allie … it’s a good one, isn’t it? 😉
Analida says
Sounds delicious. I am a food blogger too. I am glad I found your site. It seems we share the same passion for international foods.
Helen says
Hello, Analinda! So glad you found me as well – I’ll pop over and check out your site, too!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
I am a big fan of any kind of Greek food. I bet this has so much flavour in it. I have pinned and shared on Twitter too 🙂
Great giveaway!
Helen says
Aw, thanks for pinning and sharing, Dannii … you’re a star! Really glad you like this, too. I love this because it’s got such great flavour and yet is so so simple it’s hardly a recipe. Hope you try it out some time. 🙂
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
What a delicious dinner recipe, the whole family will love this! Also it must smell amazing!
Helen says
You’re right that this is a good family recipe – you can’t really go wrong!
Culinary Ginger says
What a delicious dish, can’t wait to try it. I’m also very happy to be involved in the giveaway with a great group of bloggers.
Helen says
Glad you like it, Janette … and so happy I could take part in this giveaway with you all, too!
Lori @ TheHealthMinded.com says
LOVE the simplicity of this! Visited Greece this summer and this will bring back lovely memories for my family tonight! We all thank you! Off to the store now . . .
Helen says
Aw, Lori, I’m thrilled that you like this enough to give it a go tonight! I really hope you and your family enjoy it as much as we did!
Laura says
Awesome giveaway Helen! You ladies are wonderful!! I’ll have to check out the other blogs. And of course, another nice lightweight recipes. Need that right now after holiday after holiday indulgence. You’re lightening up my waist and wallet. Thanks! (well, if I win, the wallet part, but you know. )
Helen says
Ha! There’s nothing I’d like better than for someone as lovely as you to win, Laura! Please do check out the other blogs (going to add in their links to the post in just a moment) 🙂
whatjessicabakednext says
This sounds like my sort of dinner! I love Greek food, this recipe reminds me of the chicken herb bakes my Mum makes! The giveaway sounds SO amazing! 😀 Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe!
Helen says
So glad you like it, Jess. I know you always appreciate my Greek recipes! 🙂
Mira says
So excited about our giveaway!!!
This dish looks flavorful and delicious! I’ve told you I’m from the Southern part of Bulgaria, close to Greece and we make similar one pot chicken and potatoes. It is so easy to make, great for a light weeknight dinner. Pinned!
Helen says
Me too, Mira! I have a very good Bulgarian friend in Greece and a lot of the food was similar. Yum – I love it all! So glad you approve of this!
Kathleen | hapanom says
YUM!!! Greek food is one of my favs – packed with a ton of flavor, but uncomplicated ingredients! I can’t wait to see the Greed Salad next!
Great GIVEAWAY!
Helen says
Thanks, Kathleen! I’ve been wanting to post about the Greek salad for ages … now seems like the right time 😉