I’m always trying to find new ways to jazz up chicken. I don’t eat a ton of different kinds of meat, so chicken is a staple in our house. But it can be so boring cooking the same thing over and over again.
This Saucy Mediterranean Chicken is something new I recently tried. Normally when I buy chicken, it’s the same….whole chicken to roast or cook in the air fryer, or boneless, skinless chicken breasts. This time I bought a cut up chicken, bone in and skin on. The boneless, skinless chicken may be healthier but it doesn’t have nearly as much juice or flavor as it does with bone and skin still on. And making this was SO easy!
Simply make a paste of garlic, oregano and olive oil. Then rub the paste all over the chicken. Sprinkle the chicken with kosher salt and pepper and brown for a few minutes on the stovetop. Add some kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes and capers and drizzle with a little olive oil. Then it is ready to roast! I cooked this on a high temperature at 450 degrees and it came out perfectly in 30 minutes. Top with some fresh parsley and voilà…dinner is done!
Saucy Mediterranean Chicken
(Makes 4 servings)
- 3-4 pound chicken, cut up (or pack of chicken parts, such as breast and drumsticks)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ pint of cherry tomatoes
- 2 oz. jar of capers, drained
- ½ 10 oz. jar of kalamata olives, drained
- Olive oil, for drizzling
- Chopped fresh parsley, for topping
Instructions:
- Heat oven to 450℉. Wash and pat chicken dry.
- Mix 1 tablespoon olive oil, garlic, oregano, thyme, salt and pepper into a paste. Rub paste all over chicken pieces
- Heat the remaining olive oil on medium-high in a heavy skillet or pan that can go into the oven.
- Brown chicken pieces, 3-4 minutes each side, working in batches if needed.
- Drizzle the chicken with a little more olive oil and nestle the cherry tomatoes, olives and capers in the skillet around the chicken.
- Cook until the juices run clear, about 25-30 minutes (oven times may vary a bit).
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Let sit for 5-10 minutes and enjoy with brown rice and sautéed spinach or roasted broccoli.
