Meta Description: This Greek chicken and lemon potato bake is a delicious and easy one-pan meal. With juicy chicken, tender potatoes, and a zesty herb marinade, it’s a perfect weeknight dinner for the whole family.
My love for a good one-pan meal runs deep. As a busy home cook, I’m always looking for a recipe that’s delicious, satisfying, and doesn’t require a mountain of dishes to clean afterward. For a long time, I struggled to find a recipe that hit all three marks. I was tired of the same old roasted chicken and vegetables, and I was craving something with a little more flair, something that felt like a vacation in a single pan. My inspiration came from a family trip to Greece years ago. I remember a small taverna where they served a simple dish that was a revelation: perfectly roasted chicken and potatoes, soaked in a bright, zesty, and savory marinade. The chicken was incredibly juicy, the potatoes were tender and crispy at the edges, and the whole dish was infused with the flavors of fresh oregano, garlic, and a generous amount of lemon. It was a complete meal on a single plate, a dish that was both comforting and vibrant. This Greek chicken and lemon potato bake has since become my go-to recipe for a fast, delicious, and deeply satisfying meal. It’s a dish that proves that a simple, humble meal can be full of flavor and texture, and it’s a perfect way to bring a little bit of Mediterranean sunshine to your table without a lot of fuss.
🌟 Why This Bake is a Weeknight Hero
This Greek chicken and lemon potato bake is a true game-changer for anyone looking for a quick, healthy, and satisfying meal. It’s a perfect example of a dish that combines a variety of flavors and textures in a single pan, creating a harmonious and delicious experience. The star of the show is the simple but powerful marinade. It’s a perfect blend of bright, zesty lemon juice, savory garlic, and fresh oregano. This marinade not only flavors the chicken and potatoes but also creates a beautiful, savory sauce that is perfect for drizzling over the finished dish. The use of bone-in, skin-on chicken is key here. The chicken, when roasted with the potatoes, stays incredibly juicy and tender, and the skin gets perfectly crispy.
Beyond the flavor, this bake is a powerhouse of comfort. It’s a simple, elegant meal that works for any occasion, from a quick weeknight dinner to a small get-together with friends. The process is straightforward, and the result is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The aroma of roasted chicken, lemon, and herbs filling your kitchen is pure comfort in itself. This is a recipe that proves that a simple, classic dish can be elevated with just a few simple, thoughtful ingredients. It’s the kind of one-pan meal that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
✅ Ingredients
This recipe is built on a foundation of simple, wholesome ingredients. The key is to use a good quality chicken and fresh lemons and herbs for the best flavor.
- 2 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks
- 2 lbs Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, cubed into 1-inch pieces
- 1 medium red onion, cut into wedges1
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- Juice of 1 large lemon
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
⏰ Total Time
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 45-50 minutes
- Total time: 60-65 minutes
🍽️ Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for a perfect, crispy, and flavorful Greek chicken and lemon potato bake. The key is to arrange everything in a single, even layer so it cooks evenly.
- Prep the Chicken and Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large bowl, combine the cubed potatoes and red onion wedges. In a separate, smaller bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, fresh oregano, and fresh rosemary.
- Season and Arrange: Pat the chicken pieces dry with a paper towel and season them generously with salt, pepper, and the dried oregano. Add the chicken to the bowl with the potatoes and onions. Pour the marinade over everything and toss until the chicken and potatoes are evenly coated.
- Bake: Spread the chicken, potatoes, and onions in a single, even layer on a large baking sheet or in a large roasting pan. Make sure the chicken skin is facing up. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the potatoes are tender and golden-brown.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the baking sheet from the oven. For an extra crispy skin, you can turn on the broiler for the last 1-2 minutes, but watch it carefully so it doesn’t burn! Garnish the Greek chicken and lemon potato bake with a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Serve immediately and enjoy every delicious bite.
👩🍳 Recipe Variations
This Greek chicken and lemon potato bake recipe is a great starting point for creativity. You can easily adapt it to suit your tastes or whatever ingredients you have on hand.
- Add More Vegetables: You can add all sorts of vegetables to this bake.2 Broccoli florets, sliced bell peppers, or even a few handfuls of fresh spinach would all work wonderfully.
- Different Cuts of Chicken: While bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are the star, you can use other cuts of chicken, like bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts or even chicken drumsticks. The cooking time may vary, so be sure to check for doneness.
- Make it a Garnish Bar: Set up a garnish bar for a fun dinner! Offer toppings like crumbled feta cheese, a few slices of fresh avocado, or a drizzle of plain Greek yogurt.
- Make it a Different Flavor: You can swap the oregano and rosemary for other herbs, like a few sprigs of fresh dill or a handful of fresh thyme. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick.
- Make it a different Grain: You can serve this with a side of couscous or a quinoa salad to soak up all the delicious juices.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I get my potatoes to be crispy? The key to crispy potatoes is a hot oven and a single layer on the baking sheet.3 Make sure you don’t overcrowd the pan, as this can cause the potatoes to steam instead of roast.
- Can I use boneless, skinless chicken? Yes, you can. The cooking time will be slightly shorter, so be sure to watch them carefully. You will lose the crispy skin, but they will still be incredibly juicy and flavorful.
- How do I know when the chicken is cooked? The best way to tell is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165°F (74°C).4 The juices should also run clear when you pierce the thickest part of the chicken.
- Can I make this ahead of time? You can prep the potatoes and the marinade a day or two in advance. Store the potatoes in a bowl of cold water in the refrigerator, and the marinade in an airtight container. When you’re ready to eat, all you have to do is toss everything together and bake it.
- What’s the best way to clean and chop the potatoes? The best way to clean and chop the potatoes is to scrub them clean and then chop them into uniform, 1-inch pieces. You don’t need to peel them if you’re using Yukon Gold potatoes, as their skin is thin and delicious when roasted.5
✅ Nutritional Information
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 6g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Note: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.
Conclusion
This Greek chicken and lemon potato bake is a perfect example of a fast, healthy, and incredibly delicious weeknight meal. It’s a vibrant, flavorful dish that is as beautiful to look at as it is to eat. The combination of juicy chicken, tender potatoes, and a zesty, savory marinade creates a symphony of flavors and textures that will make you rethink everything you know about one-pan meals. It’s a recipe that is as nourishing for the body as it is for the soul, and it’s a total game-changer for anyone looking to eat a little healthier without sacrificing taste.
I truly hope you give this recipe a try and discover your new favorite go-to meal. It’s the perfect dish for a quiet night in or a big family dinner, and it’s sure to be a hit with everyone you share it with. I’d love to hear how your bake turned out and if you added any of your own creative twists! Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Happy cooking! 😋
