Baked Chicken with Crispy Feta & Zesty Vinaigrette – A Mediterranean Delight
Baked Chicken with Crispy Feta & Zesty Vinaigrette Delight – juicy, tender baked chicken thighs topped with a crispy, tangy feta cheese crust. The zesty vinaigrette infuses the feta with bright lemon and Dijon flavors, creating a simple yet impressive dish ready in under an hour!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Chicken:
- 4 chicken thighs (bone-in)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- For the Topping:
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup zesty vinaigrette (lemon juice + Dijon mustard)
- For Serving:
- 1/4 cup fresh herbs (parsley or basil)
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F) and lightly grease a baking dish.
- Place chicken thighs in the dish, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
- In a bowl, mix feta cheese with vinaigrette until combined.
- Spoon the feta mixture evenly over the chicken.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes until chicken is cooked through and feta is golden.
- Garnish with fresh herbs and serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for the juiciest results and crispy skin.
- For the vinaigrette: whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 clove minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
- For an extra crispy feta topping, broil for the last 2-3 minutes of baking.
- Substitute chicken breasts (reduce cooking time to 25-30 minutes) or drumsticks.
- Serve with roasted vegetables, rice, quinoa, or a fresh green salad.
- Add cherry tomatoes or sliced red onion to the baking dish for extra flavor.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute feta with a plant-based alternative or omit.