Mediterranean Chicken

Chicken can get boring – and let me be honest I’ve never been able to get chicken cooked without over cooking it and drying it out. But this one came out perfect!

Mediterranean Chicken (Using Leg Quarters)

This recipe is flavorful, juicy, and perfect for meal prep. It pairs well with a side salad, roasted veggies, or cauliflower rice.

Ingredients:

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken leg quarters

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar

• 2 tsp dried oregano

• 1 tsp dried thyme

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)

• ½ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

• ¼ cup kalamata olives, sliced

• ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• ½ red onion, sliced

• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Chicken

• In a small bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, red wine vinegar, oregano, thyme, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes.

• Pat the chicken leg quarters dry, then rub the marinade all over them, making sure to get under the skin for extra flavor.

• Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.

2. Preheat and Prepare

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

• Arrange the marinated chicken leg quarters in a baking dish or cast iron skillet.

3. Bake the Chicken

• Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and the internal temperature reaches 175-180°F (for juicy dark meat).

• About 10 minutes before the chicken is done, scatter the cherry tomatoes and red onion around the chicken.

4. Broil for Crispy Skin (Optional)

• For extra crispiness, broil the chicken for the last 3-5 minutes, keeping an eye on it to prevent burning.

5. Add Finishing Touches

• Remove from the oven and top with kalamata olives, crumbled feta (if using), and fresh parsley.

• Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve with a large spring mix salad, roasted Brussels sprouts, or cauliflower rice.

• Drizzle extra lemon juice or tzatziki sauce over the top for added freshness.

Here’s the salad I put together for our dinner!

Let me know if you try it!

Angel