If you love bright, comforting dishes that bring a burst of sunshine to your dinner table, you are going to adore this Greek Lemon Chicken & Potatoes Recipe. It’s a joyous marriage of tender, golden-roasted chicken thighs and perfectly crisp, lemon-infused potatoes. Every bite delivers a fantastic balance of zesty citrus, fragrant oregano, and garlic, transporting you straight to a warm Mediterranean kitchen. This recipe is simple enough for a weeknight meal yet impressive enough to serve when guests arrive, making it your new go-to for effortless, flavorful cooking.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Greek Lemon Chicken & Potatoes Recipe lies in its straightforward, wholesome ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in layering flavors and textures—from the juicy chicken thighs to the vibrant lemon and earthy oregano. Together, they create a dish that is both aromatic and satisfying.
- Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks: These provide juicy, flavorful meat and crispy skin when roasted.
- Yukon gold or baby potatoes: Their creamy texture and thin skins make them perfect for roasting alongside the chicken.
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice: Adds bright acidity that tenderizes the meat and freshens the entire dish.
- Olive oil: Delivers richness and helps achieve a beautiful golden roast on both chicken and potatoes.
- Garlic cloves: Infuses the dish with a warm, aromatic depth that complements the lemon perfectly.
- Dried oregano: Brings an unmistakably Mediterranean herbal note that ties the flavors together.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance every other ingredient.
- Chicken broth or water: Adds moisture to keep the potatoes tender without drying the chicken.
- Lemon slices: Roasted atop the chicken for an extra layer of citrus fragrance and visual appeal.
How to Make Greek Lemon Chicken & Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Marinade
Start by whisking together freshly squeezed lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. This bright and flavorful marinade is the foundation of the dish, delivering a perfect balance of tangy, herbal, and savory notes that will soak delightfully into the chicken and potatoes.
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken and Potatoes
Add the chicken pieces and cut potatoes to the marinade, tossing them well to make sure every bit is coated evenly. Let the mixture rest for at least 30 minutes. This crucial step allows the flavors to penetrate deeply, ensuring every bite is bursting with that signature lemony zest and herbaceous fragrance.
Step 3: Arrange in a Baking Dish
Transfer your marinated chicken and potatoes into a single layer in a roasting pan or baking dish. Spread the lemon slices over the top of the chicken to infuse the meat with extra citrus aroma as it roasts. This not only adds flavor but also gives the dish a beautiful, appetizing look.
Step 4: Roast Until Golden
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Roast the chicken and potatoes for 45 to 50 minutes. Look for perfectly crisp, golden skin on the chicken and tender potatoes that easily pierce with a fork. The aroma alone will have you excited to dig in!
Step 5: Rest and Serve
Remove the dish from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes—this step keeps the meat juicy and tender. Before serving, drizzle the pan juices over the chicken and potatoes to elevate the bold, lemony flavors and bring everything together for a truly unforgettable meal.
How to Serve Greek Lemon Chicken & Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or a few extra lemon wedges brighten up this already vibrant dish perfectly. Adding a handful of kalamata olives or crumbled feta cheese on the side can also bring a lovely salty contrast to the tangy chicken and potatoes.
Side Dishes
Because this recipe is a complete meal on its own, simple sides work best. A crisp Greek salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, and olives dressed in olive oil and vinegar complements it beautifully. For something warm, steamed green beans or sautéed spinach with garlic are great vegetable options.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this dish family-style right from the baking pan, inviting everyone to dig in and enjoy the rustic charm. Alternatively, plate the chicken atop a bed of fluffy rice or orzo, spooning the lemony pan juices over. Using a wooden board with fresh lemon wedges also makes for a charming, welcoming presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Greek Lemon Chicken & Potatoes Recipe keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store the chicken and potatoes together to let the flavors mingle even more, but keep lemon slices separate if you want to prevent bitterness.
Freezing
You can freeze the cooked chicken and potatoes for up to 2 months. Make sure they’re cooled completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. When reheated, some texture changes may occur in the potatoes, but the flavors remain wonderfully intact.
Reheating
For best results, reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through and the chicken skin regains some crispiness. Avoid microwaving when possible, as it can make the chicken skin soggy and potatoes mealy.
FAQs
Can I use boneless chicken for this recipe?
While bone-in, skin-on chicken is recommended for the best flavor and crispy skin, you can use boneless pieces. Just be careful not to overcook them to keep the meat juicy.
Is it okay to use fresh oregano instead of dried?
Yes, fresh oregano works wonderfully. Use about 1 tablespoon of fresh leaves in place of 1 tablespoon of dried oregano to keep the herbaceous flavor vibrant.
Can I substitute other types of potatoes?
Yukon gold or baby potatoes are best because they roast evenly and hold their shape. Russets can be used but tend to fall apart more easily, so handle them gently.
How long should I marinate the chicken and potatoes?
A minimum of 30 minutes is ideal to let the flavors develop. If you have more time, marinating for 2–4 hours in the refrigerator will add even more depth.
Can this recipe be made gluten-free?
Absolutely! This Greek Lemon Chicken & Potatoes Recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you ensure your chicken broth is gluten-free as well.
Final Thoughts
This Greek Lemon Chicken & Potatoes Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s one of those meals that feels like a warm hug. The bright lemon, fragrant oregano, and crispy textures come together in such a satisfying way that you’ll keep returning to it time and again. I can’t wait for you to try making this at home and enjoy it as much as I do!
Print
Greek Lemon Chicken & Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Greek
Description
This Greek Lemon Chicken & Potatoes recipe features succulent bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks and tender Yukon gold potatoes roasted together in a zesty lemon, oregano, and garlic marinade. The bright citrus flavors meld beautifully with savory herbs and garlic, creating a comforting and aromatic one-pan meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Chicken and Potatoes
- 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks
- 1.5 pounds Yukon gold or baby potatoes, cut into uniform pieces
Marinade
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano (or fresh oregano equivalent)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup chicken broth or water
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced (for roasting)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together the fresh lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to create a bright and flavorful marinade that will soak into the chicken and potatoes.
- Marinate the Chicken and Potatoes: Add the chicken pieces and the cut potatoes to the marinade. Toss well to coat everything evenly, then let the mixture rest for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate deeply into both chicken and potatoes.
- Arrange in Baking Dish: Transfer the marinated chicken and potatoes into a single layer in a roasting pan or baking dish. Place the thin lemon slices on top of the chicken pieces to infuse fresh citrus aroma during roasting.
- Roast Until Golden: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the dish for 45-50 minutes, or until the chicken skin is crisp and golden brown and the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes. Drizzle the pan juices over the chicken and potatoes to enhance the bold, lemony flavors before serving.
Notes
- For best flavor, marinate the chicken and potatoes for at least 30 minutes, but you can also refrigerate for up to 4 hours.
- Use bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces for juicier and more flavorful results.
- If fresh oregano is not available, dried oregano works equally well.
- Thinly slicing the lemon allows the citrus oils and flavor to infuse without overpowering.
- Ensure potatoes are cut into uniform pieces for even cooking.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the oven.
