Greek Style Chicken

Have you tried Greek style chicken? If not, then you are in for a treat. This dish features chicken that is marinated in orange and lemon juice. The flavours are enhanced with black olives and onions. When baked, this dish produces a remarkable combination of flavours that offers an unparalleled culinary experience.

This Greek Style chicken recipe is a celebration of Mediterranean flavours. Fresh lemon juice along with orange juice brighten up the chicken and adds a depth to the recipe. A light seasoning of salt, oregano and pepper brings everything together.

Ingredients

Chicken thighs, Garlic cloves, Lemon juice, Orange juice, Onion, Cherry tomatoes, Olives, Baby Potatoes, Ground black pepper, Dried Thyme, Dried Oregano.

Chicken thighs are tender and soft, making them ideal for this dish. The orange and lemon juices add to the zesty flavours of the chicken in the marination process. Garlic cloves add a savoury element to this dish. Dried oregano is a quintessential herb in Greek cooking; it offers an earthy flavour to the chicken.

Leaving the skin on the chicken will ensure that the chicken remains crispy on the outside and tender on the outside. You can swap out lemon for lime juice. Surprisingly, one of the stars of this dish are the onions. The onions caramelize and absorb the flavours of the orange and lemon juice. It creates a sweet, tangy flavour that is slightly sharp. If you’re a huge fan of onions, you can double the quantity of it for this recipe. You can use white onion in place of the red onion.

The baby potatoes crisp up on the edges. The black olives offer a briny and tangy flavour, which is a contrast to the citrus elements. Kalamata olives are commonly used in Greek cooking, however, it is not always available at most supermarkets. Black olives and green olives are great substitutes. If you want to add a creamy flavour, consider cubes of feta cheese. And if you would like to add a more tangy component, consider a few slices of sun-dried tomatoes.

Instructions

Peel the red onion and garlic cloves. Slice the red onions and garlic thinly. Squeeze the juice of one lemon and one orange into a bowl.

Wash the chicken thighs, and add it to the baking tray. Add the sliced onion and garlic cloves. Add the juice of the lemon and orange to the baking tray. Add the baby potatoes to the baking tray.

If you want to reduce the cooking time by a few minutes, you can cut the baby potatoes into halves. Slice the baby tomatoes as well and add them to the tray along with the black olives. Place the tray in the fridge and marinate the ingredients for thirty minutes.

Add the baking tray in the oven and bake the Greek style chicken at a temperature of 160 °C or 320°F for 40 to 45 minutes. During the baking process, baste the chicken with the juices one to two times, this will ensure that the chicken stays moist as it bakes in the oven.

Whilst in the baking tray, drizzle the top of the chicken with some of that baking tray juice, it is full of flavour and it will add moisture to the chicken. Resting the chicken will ensure that the juices redistribute, ensuring the chicken remains juicy on the inside. Add the chicken to the plate, sprinkle more black pepper on the top. Decorate the plate as shown above and impress your guests with this delicious meal. A few slices of orange will add a pop of colour.

What can you serve with Greek style chicken?

You can serve any of your favourite salads alongside this dish. This recipe pairs well with a Greek Salad, Tzatziki, or warm pita bread. You can also serve it with a Rocket and Red pepper salad.

How to store the Greek style chicken?

Allow the chicken to cool completely. Place the chicken in an airtight container and store in the fridge for two to four days. Make sure to keep that citrusy liquid in the container as well. The flavours will meld into the chicken as it rests in the fridge. It is not recommended to freeze this recipe, the flavours of the lemon and orange will mellow out.