Ingredients
– 1 Β½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
– 3 medium zucchini, sliced into ΒΌ-inch rounds
– 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
– 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
– 4 garlic cloves, minced
– β cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved (optional)
– 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
– 1 tablespoon dried oregano
– 1 teaspoon dried thyme
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
– Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1-First: preheat the oven to 400Β°F (200Β°C) and pat the 1 Β½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs dry, seasoning them with salt and pepper. This step ensures the chicken gets a nice sear and flavorful crust. In a large bowl, mix the 3 medium zucchini (sliced into ΒΌ-inch rounds), 1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved), 1 medium red onion (thinly sliced), 4 garlic cloves (minced), and β cup kalamata olives (pitted and halved, if using).
2-Assembling and Baking: Drizzle the bowl with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, then add 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss everything together to coat evenly, making sure every piece gets a bit of that Mediterranean magic. Spread half of this veggie mix in a 9Γ13-inch baking dish, place the seasoned chicken on top, and cover with the rest of the vegetables for even cooking.
3-Bake uncovered for 25 minutes, then sprinkle 4 oz crumbled feta cheese over the dish and bake for another 10 minutes until the chicken hits 165Β°F (74Β°C) internally. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving, and garnish with fresh basil leaves if you like. This method keeps things juicy and full of flavor, perfect for a quick family dinner.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
π Use chicken thighs for juicier meat; monitor cooking time if using chicken breasts.
π₯ Slice zucchini into 1/4-inch rounds to maintain texture during baking.
π§ Kalamata olives add salty tang but can be replaced or omitted; feta cheese can be swapped with dairy-free alternatives.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
