Mediterranean cuisine captures the soul of sunny coasts and olive groves, celebrating fresh ingredients and classic flavors. This Lemon-Garlic Olive Chicken Bake highlights bright citrus, fragrant herbs, and briny olives for an irresistible, authentic Mediterranean experience right in your own kitchen.
Ingredients
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup pitted kalamata olives, halved
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (optional for extra color)
- Handful of fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and place them in a baking dish, skin-side up. Drizzle each thigh with the extra-virgin olive oil, ensuring every piece is lightly coated.
In a small bowl, combine the sliced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, dried oregano, and dried basil. Sprinkle this fragrant mixture over the chicken, making sure the seasonings cover the thighs evenly. Season with salt and pepper, adjusting to taste.
Add the kalamata olives and cherry tomatoes around the chicken in the baking dish. The juices from the tomatoes and olives will mingle with the lemon-garlic mixture, creating a lovely, sultry sauce as they bake. Place the dish in the oven and bake for about 35–40 minutes, or until the chicken skin is crisp and the meat is cooked through.
When done, remove the dish from the oven and let everything rest for 5 minutes. Top with a generous sprinkle of fresh parsley for a final touch of zest and color.
This Lemon-Garlic Olive Chicken Bake embodies the heart of Mediterranean home cooking. It’s perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or when you want to feel like you’re on a Mediterranean getaway without leaving your kitchen. The zingy lemon and earthy herbs provide vibrant flavor, and you can easily swap out vegetables (think zucchini, onions, or peppers) or adapt with different olives to suit your taste buds. Plus, it’s a one-pan wonder that keeps cleanup simple and your table a pleasure to gather around.
Nathaniel Lee is an avid cook, drawing on his decades of home cooking and fine dining experience. He is a contributing chef at Mashed, and his recipes and contributions have been featured in Tasting Table, Edible Arrangements, Insanely Good Recipes, and The Daily Meal.
