Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner

Imagine the tantalizing aroma of roasted lemons, oregano, and garlic wafting through your kitchen as your Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner transforms in the oven. This Mediterranean masterpiece combines juicy chicken thighs with colorful vegetables and traditional Greek seasonings, all coming together on a single pan. Perfect for busy weeknights yet impressive enough for entertaining, this effortless dish captures the essence of Greek cuisine without the fuss. You’ll learn how to create a complete, flavor-packed meal with minimal cleanup that will transport your taste buds straight to the Greek isles.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner is a game-changer for anyone seeking both convenience and incredible flavor. The beauty lies in its perfect balance of simplicity and sophistication. As everything roasts together, the chicken develops a golden, crispy skin while remaining incredibly tender inside. Meanwhile, the vegetables caramelize and absorb all those wonderful Mediterranean flavors.

What makes this recipe truly special is how the ingredients complement each other – the slight sweetness of bell peppers against the briny olives, the earthy potatoes soaking up the lemon-garlic infused chicken juices. The contrast between the crisp exterior of the roasted vegetables and their tender interiors creates a textural symphony in every bite.

Best of all, this meal is incredibly adaptable to your preferences while maintaining its Greek character. The single-pan approach means minimal cleanup, making this easy Greek chicken dinner as practical as it is delicious.

Ingredients

For this Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner, you’ll need:

• 2 lbs (900g) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1 lb (450g) baby potatoes, halved
• 1 large red onion, cut into wedges
• 2 bell peppers (red and yellow), chunked
• 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes
• ½ cup (75g) kalamata olives, pitted
• ¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons (45ml) fresh lemon juice
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons (6g) dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon (3g) dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon (5g) salt
• ½ teaspoon (2g) black pepper
• 4 oz (115g) feta cheese, crumbled
• Fresh parsley for garnish
• 1 lemon, sliced into rounds

The quality of olive oil matters significantly in this Mediterranean sheet pan meal – use the best extra virgin olive oil you can find for authentic Greek flavor.

Pro Tips

Achieving the perfect Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner comes down to a few critical techniques that elevate it from good to exceptional:

1. 
   

   Temperature Matters: Always start with room-temperature chicken. Taking the meat out of the refrigerator 20-30 minutes before cooking ensures even cooking and helps achieve that coveted crispy skin. Cold chicken straight from the refrigerator will steam rather than roast.

   
   
2. 
   

   Strategic Layering: Place your chicken skin-side up on top of some of the vegetables. This positioning allows the flavorful fat from the chicken to baste the vegetables below as it renders, creating an incredible depth of flavor that’s impossible to achieve otherwise.

   
   
3. 
   

   Don’t Overcrowd Your Pan: Use a large sheet pan and arrange ingredients in a single layer with some breathing room. Overcrowding causes steaming instead of roasting, resulting in soggy vegetables and rubbery chicken. If necessary, use two pans rather than cramming everything onto one.

   
   

Additionally, pat your chicken dry with paper towels before seasoning. This simple step removes excess moisture and is crucial for achieving that perfect golden, crispy skin that makes this Greek chicken sheet pan dinner so irresistible.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and position a rack in the middle. While your oven heats, prepare your vegetables by cutting potatoes into even-sized pieces (halved or quartered depending on size), slicing the red onion into wedges, and chunking the bell peppers. This ensures everything cooks at the same rate. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels – this is your secret weapon for achieving that gorgeous crispy skin!

Step 2: Create The Marinade

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and pepper until well combined. This Mediterranean-inspired marinade is the flavor foundation of your Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner. The acid from the lemon juice will tenderize the chicken while the herbs infuse everything with classic Greek flavors.

Step 3: Season The Chicken

Place your chicken thighs in a large bowl and pour about half of the marinade over them. Using your hands (food-safe gloves optional), massage the marinade into the chicken, ensuring it gets under the skin where possible for maximum flavor penetration. Let the chicken marinate while you prepare the vegetables – even this brief marinade time makes a difference!

Step 4: Prepare The Vegetables

In another large bowl, combine the potatoes, bell peppers, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and kalamata olives. Pour the remaining marinade over the vegetables and toss until everything is evenly coated. The oil will help the vegetables roast properly while the herbs and garlic infuse them with Mediterranean flavor.

Step 5: Assemble Your Sheet Pan

Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper or foil for easier cleanup. Spread about two-thirds of the vegetable mixture evenly across the pan. Arrange the chicken thighs on top, skin-side up, nestling them slightly into the vegetables but keeping the skin exposed. Scatter the remaining vegetables around the chicken, then tuck lemon slices between components for extra flavor and visual appeal.

Step 6: Roast To Perfection

Slide your sheet pan into the preheated oven and roast for 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the skin is golden and crispy. The vegetables should be tender and caramelized around the edges. If your chicken is done but you’d like more color on the vegetables, remove the chicken to a plate and return the vegetables to the oven for 5-10 minutes more.

Step 7: Finish And Serve

Remove the pan from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the still-warm vegetables and chicken, allowing it to soften slightly from the residual heat. Finish with a generous sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Serve your Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner directly from the pan for a rustic presentation, or transfer to a serving platter for a more formal meal.

Variations

This versatile Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner can be easily adapted to suit different preferences while maintaining its Mediterranean essence:

Lemon Garlic Greek Chicken Thighs: For an even more pronounced citrus profile, double the lemon juice in the marinade and add 1 tablespoon of lemon zest. This variation brightens the entire dish and works particularly well in summer months when you want something lighter yet still satisfying.

Mediterranean Vegetable Medley: Customize the vegetable selection based on what’s in season. Zucchini, eggplant, and artichoke hearts make excellent additions or substitutions. Simply cut them into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. This variation makes your Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner adaptable year-round.

Vegetarian Greek Sheet Pan Meal: Replace the chicken with thick slices of halloumi cheese added during the last 10 minutes of cooking, or try extra-firm tofu marinated in the same seasonings. Increase the olive portion and add chickpeas for protein. This creates a satisfying meatless version that still delivers authentic Greek flavors.

Storage/Serving

Your Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner stores beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep. Once cooled, transfer leftovers to airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. The flavors actually develop and improve overnight! Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes to maintain the crispy texture, or microwave for convenience though the skin won’t stay as crisp.

For serving, try these elevated presentation ideas:

Wrap the entire meal in warm pita bread with a dollop of tzatziki sauce for a handheld Greek-inspired feast. The cool, creamy tzatziki perfectly balances the warm, herb-infused components.

Create a Greek bowl by serving the chicken and vegetables over a bed of lemon-herb rice or quinoa, with additional feta cheese and fresh cucumber on top.

For a lighter option, chop the chicken and vegetables and toss with fresh greens, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a drizzle of olive oil for a warm Greek salad that’s both satisfying and refreshing.

FAQs

Can I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, though they cook faster and can dry out more easily. Reduce the cooking time to about 25-30 minutes, or until they reach 165°F (74°C) internally. Consider tossing the vegetables first for 10 minutes before adding the chicken breasts to the pan.

Can I make this Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner ahead of time?
You can prep all ingredients and the marinade up to 24 hours ahead, storing them separately. The chicken can marinate overnight for even more flavor. Assemble and bake just before serving for the best texture.

My vegetables are cooking faster than the chicken. What should I do?
If you notice the vegetables browning too quickly, loosely cover the pan with foil, which will slow their cooking while allowing the chicken to continue roasting.

Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! It reheats wonderfully and stays good in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The flavors actually deepen over time.

Can I make this recipe low-carb?
Yes, simply omit the potatoes and substitute with more bell peppers, zucchini, or cauliflower florets for a keto-friendly Greek Sheet Pan Chicken meal.

Conclusion

This Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner is comfort food at its finest — a vibrant, flavor-packed meal that combines the sun-soaked tastes of the Mediterranean with the convenience modern cooks crave. It’s the kind of dish that brings family together around the table while whisking everyone away on a culinary journey to Greece. Whether you’re looking for a simple weeknight solution or a crowd-pleasing entertaining option, this one-pan wonder delivers on all fronts. The combination of crispy-skinned chicken, caramelized vegetables, and bright, zesty flavors makes this recipe one you’ll return to again and again. Enjoy the delicious simplicity of Greek cuisine at its most accessible!

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