Mediterranean Baked Chicken with Olives is a vibrant, rustic, and flavor-packed dish inspired by the coastal cuisines of Greece, Italy, and Spain. This dish features bone-in chicken baked to golden perfection in a fragrant mix of garlic, lemon, herbs, and briny olives. Sun-dried tomatoes, onions, and olive oil create a beautiful balance of savory, tangy, and lightly sweet flavors.

This meal captures the essence of Mediterranean cooking: simple ingredients, wholesome preparation, and naturally bold flavor. The sauce that forms during baking is rich and aromatic — perfect for spooning over couscous, rice, roasted potatoes, or crusty bread.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it’s simple but deeply flavorful. Every ingredient plays a role: the olives bring brininess, the lemon adds brightness, the herbs infuse warmth and aroma, and the chicken becomes juicy and tender during roasting.

It’s also a great one-pan recipe, meaning easier cooking and easier cleanup — a big win!

Another reason I love it is its flexibility — it fits weekday dinners, weekend entertaining, or meal prep. And leftovers taste even better as the flavors deepen.

Why It’s a Must-Try

✔ Packed with authentic Mediterranean flavors
✔ Uses simple, everyday ingredients
✔ Low-effort, high-impact dinner
✔ Naturally gluten-free and high-protein
✔ Customizable and meal-prep friendly

Prep & Cook Time

Stage	Time
Preparation Time	15 minutes
Cooking Time	40–50 minutes
Total Time	55–65 minutes

Servings & Nutrition

Servings: 4
Calories: ~420 per serving

Cuisine & Course

Cuisine: Mediterranean / Greek / Italian inspired
Course: Main Dish / Dinner

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

4 bone-in chicken thighs (or drumsticks)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, thinly sliced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 lemon (½ sliced, ½ juiced)
¾ cup mixed olives (Kalamata preferred)
¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes (optional but recommended)
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp dried thyme
½ tsp paprika
Salt & black pepper to taste
¼ cup chicken broth or white wine (optional but adds flavor)
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Cooking Directions (Short Form)

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Season chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, and oregano.
Sear chicken in olive oil until lightly golden.
Add onions, garlic, olives, lemon slices, broth, and sun-dried tomatoes.
Bake 40–50 minutes until chicken is fully cooked.
Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

Step-by-Step Method

Step 1 Season the Chicken

Rub chicken with:

Salt
Black pepper
Paprika
Oregano
Thyme

Let sit 5–10 minutes if possible

Step 2 Sear

Heat olive oil in a skillet or oven-safe dish. Brown chicken on both sides (about 2–3 minutes per side). This creates flavor and seals in juices.

Step 3 — Add Aromatics

Add:

Sliced onion
Garlic
Sun-dried tomatoes
Olives
Lemon slices

Pour lemon juice and broth/wine over the top.

Step 4 Bake

Bake uncovered for 40–50 minutes, or until the chicken reaches internal temp of 165°F (74°C).

Step 5 Garnish & Serve

Let rest 5 minutes. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top.

How to Serve

Serve with:

Couscous
Rice pilaf
Roasted potatoes
Garlic bread
Quinoa
Fresh salad with feta and cucumber

Spoon the flavorful pan juices over the plate — they act like a built-in sauce.

Special Equipment Needed

Oven-safe baking dish or cast-iron skillet
Tongs
Knife & cutting board

Recipe Tips

Pat chicken dry for the best browning.
For extra tenderness, marinate for up to 4 hours in lemon, herbs, and olive oil.
Don’t skip browning — it builds flavor.
Add fresh herbs after baking, dried herbs before for best taste.

Variations

With Potatoes: Add baby potatoes directly to the dish before baking.
With Tomatoes: Add cherry tomatoes for a juicier bake.
Spicy Version: Add chili flakes or harissa.
Greek Style: Add feta cheese before serving.
Low-Carb: Serve with cauliflower rice.

Freezing & Storage

Method	Duration
Refrigeration	3–4 days
Freezing (cooked chicken)	Up to 2 months
Freezing marinade	Up to 3 months

FAQ

Q: Can I use boneless chicken?
Yes, but reduce cooking time to 25–30 minutes.

Q: Can I use jarred olives?
Absolutely — just rinse if very salty.

Q: What wine works best?
Dry white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.

Q: Can this be made ahead?
Yes! Season and refrigerate chicken up to 24 hours before baking.

Conclusion

Mediterranean Baked Chicken with Olives is a bold, colorful, and beautifully balanced dish that celebrates simplicity and flavor. Each bite offers savory richness, bright lemon, salty olives, and aromatic herbs — all in a juicy, tender piece of chicken. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner, a casual meal, or hosting guests, this dish delivers elegance with very little effort.