A Classic Mediterranean Diet Dinner

There’s a nostalgic warmth that surrounds me every time I think about Roasted Greek chicken with lemon and potatoes. If you’ve ventured into Greek cuisine, you’ll know that their culinary style revolves around fresh ingredients, simple preparation methods, and a lot of love. For someone like me, who has a lifelong affair with Greek dishes, there’s a certain sheet pan chicken recipe that takes the crown: Greek Sheet Pan Chicken with Lemon and Potatoes.. This isn’t just a meal. It’s a memory, a journey to the sun-kissed shores of Greece, and a culinary celebration.

Greek Sheet Pan Chicken with Lemon and Potatoes article

Greek lemon Potatoes

Now, let’s talk potatoes. If you’ve never allowed your taste buds to dance to the tunes of roasted Greek lemon potatoes, it’s high time you did. When done right, these spuds emerge from the oven gleaming with a golden hue of extra virgin olive oil, a slightly crispy exterior, and a soft, comforting core. Every bite encapsulates the zesty punch of lemon paired with the earthy charm of oregano. To amp up this experience, imagine dipping these lustrous potatoes into a cool, refreshing tzatziki sauce. Can you blame me for being tempted to devour the entire sheet pan?

Selecting the right potato makes all the difference. My heart has a special corner reserved for Yukon gold potatoes. Their alluring golden color and paper-thin skin eliminate the need for peeling. But if you’re opting for a more robust-skinned variant, do peel them for that perfect texture.

Why This Recipe Belongs in Your Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan

This Greek chicken recipe is a perfect example of a Mediterranean Diet dinner:

  • Packed with anti-inflammatory extra virgin olive oil

  • Uses high quality protein from chicken thighs

  • Loaded with fiber-rich potatoes and fresh lemon

  • Bursting with classic Greek herbs like oregano and thyme

It’s also a one-pan meal, making it easy for weeknights and delicious enough for guests.

Chicken Thighs vs. Breasts – What’s Better for Roasting?

While chicken breasts are a lean option, chicken thighs win for tenderness and flavor—especially in this kind of rustic, high-heat Mediterranean roasting. The fat in the thighs keeps the meat juicy and rich.

If you prefer breasts, keep the skin on and monitor the cook time to avoid drying them out.

A Mediterranean Twist: Mustard and Roasted Lemons

One of the most underrated secrets in this recipe is Dijon mustard. A tiny touch deepens the tang and makes everything taste brighter. While not traditionally Greek, it’s a common modern addition in Greek kitchens.

Roasting halved lemons on the sheet pan isn’t just a visual flourish—they caramelize slightly and become irresistibly juicy. Squeeze one over your chicken before serving and thank me later.

What to Serve with Greek Sheet Pan Chicken

This Mediterranean Diet meal pairs perfectly with:

  • Horiatiki Salad (Greek Village Salad) – tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, red onion, and feta

  • Tzatziki Sauce – for dipping chicken and potatoes

  • Zucchini fritters (Kolokithokeftedes) with herbs and feta

  • Crusty whole grain bread for mopping up the lemony pan juices

  • A glass of red wine or retsina

FAQs – Greek Sheet Pan Chicken & Mediterranean Diet Tips

What kind of olive oil should I use?

Use extra virgin olive oil, preferably cold-pressed and from a Mediterranean region like Greece, Italy, or Spain. It’s the healthiest fat in the Mediterranean Diet and adds unbeatable flavor.

Can I use sweet potatoes instead?

Yes! While traditional Greek lemon potatoes use white or yellow varieties, sweet potatoes offer extra fiber and antioxidants. Just adjust cooking time if they start to soften too quickly.

Is this dish heart-healthy?

Yes. It’s high in monounsaturated fats, fiber, and antioxidants from herbs and lemon. Paired with more vegetables or legumes, it fits beautifully into a Mediterranean heart-healthy meal plan.

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

While chicken is the protein here, you can create a vegetarian version by roasting chickpeas or mushrooms with the potatoes and using the same lemony, herb-packed dressing.

How does this fit into a Mediterranean Diet lifestyle?

It checks every box:

  • Healthy fats from olive oil

  • Lean protein from chicken

  • Vegetables and fiber from potatoes and herbs

  • No processed ingredients
    It’s balanced, satisfying, and totally Mediterranean.

This Greek sheet pan chicken with lemon and potatoes is more than a recipe—it’s a moment of joy. It’s your ticket to a Mediterranean kitchen, where fresh food, good company, and deep flavors come together.

Whether you’re following the Mediterranean Diet for weight loss, heart health, or pure pleasure, this recipe belongs on your table.

Greek Sheet Pan Chicken with Lemon and Potatoes

Greek Sheet Pan Chicken with Lemon and Potatoes

George Zikos
4.58 from 21 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Greek
Servings 4
Calories 579 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 chicken thighs, skin on (bone-in or boneless)
  • extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
  • salt
  • pepper
  • 2 pounds potatoes, washed and cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3/4 tsp pepper
  • 3 lemons (2 for sheet pan, 1 for juice)
  • 2 tbsp dried oregano
  • 1 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tbsp dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400 F.
  • Drizzle chicken thighs with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
  • In a mixing bowl combine potatoes, salt, pepper, lemon juice, oregano, thyme, garlic, water, dijon mustard, and extra virgin olive oil. Mix well.
  • Pour potatoes onto sheet pan. Arrange lemon halves face up between potatoes. Arrange chicken thighs on top of potatoes.
  • Bake at 400 F for one hour or until the potatoes are tender and the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Remove and let cool for 5 minutes.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 579kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 24gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 111mgSodium: 728mgPotassium: 1353mgFiber: 9gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 172IUVitamin C: 89mgCalcium: 114mgIron: 5mg
Keyword sheet pan chicken
Have you tried this recipe? Tell us about it!Click here to rate this recipe in the comments section below.

 

About the Author: George Zikos
George studied International Business in Greece in 2015 for three semesters. His family is from the island of Crete, and he lived with them for a whole summer. During that time, he started working for Mediterranean Living and contributing his firsthand experiences of the traditional Cretan diet. He learned fluent Greek along the way, being fully immersed in a traditional Cretan village. He is since graduated with a business degree from Worcester State University. George loves language and traveling, so he completed a TEFL certificate program at the Boston Language Institute in order to teach English abroad and travel the world. He currently works full-time blogging, recipe formulating, and social media marketing for Mediterranean Living. His passions include language, gardening, hiking, skateboarding, and watching sports. He dreams of living in Crete one day, after he travels the world learning as many languages and cultures as possible.

3 Comments

  1. Jeannine Bianchi August 13, 2023 at 2:55 pm - Reply

    5 stars
    Do you use bone in, or boneless chicken thighs?

    • Bill Bradley, R.D. August 15, 2023 at 3:56 pm - Reply

      I use whichever I have. The recipe works with either. I usually use boneless.

  2. Erica February 20, 2021 at 11:13 pm - Reply

    Delicious! Served with a Greek salad and good wine… will definitely make again!

4.58 from 21 votes (20 ratings without comment)

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