This zesty Hairy Bikers Mediterranean Chicken Tray Bake is made with tender chicken pieces, bright cherry tomatoes, salty olives, red onion, and a simple dressing of lemon and oregano. The result is a vibrant and savory one-pan meal where the chicken becomes perfectly cooked and infused with classic Mediterranean herbs. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, especially on a warm summer evening, and makes a healthy and delicious meal for 4 people.
Hairy Bikers Mediterranean Chicken Tray Bake Ingredients
- 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (a mix of thighs and drumsticks)
- 1 large red onion, cut into wedges
- 2 medium courgettes (zucchini), cut into thick chunks
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 1 whole head of garlic, cloves separated but unpeeled
- ½ cup pitted Kalamata olives
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large lemon, zest and juice
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 oz feta cheese, crumbled (optional, for serving)
How To Make Hairy Bikers Mediterranean Chicken Tray Bake
- Preheat your oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Find a large roasting tin that will comfortably hold all the ingredients in a single layer.
- Combine the ingredients: Place the chicken pieces, red onion wedges, courgette chunks, cherry tomatoes, and garlic cloves directly into the roasting tin. Scatter the Kalamata olives over the top.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl or jug, whisk together the olive oil, the zest and juice of the lemon, and the dried oregano. Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Coat everything evenly: Pour the dressing all over the chicken and vegetables in the tin. Use your hands to toss everything together, ensuring each piece is well-coated in the zesty mixture.
- Roast to perfection: Arrange the ingredients in a single layer to ensure they roast evenly. Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the chicken skin is golden and crisp, the chicken is cooked through, and the vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.
- Finish and serve: Remove the tray bake from the oven. If using, sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese over the hot chicken and vegetables. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: For the best results, make sure your ingredients are in a single, even layer in the roasting tin. If the pan is too crowded, the ingredients will steam instead of roast, and you won’t get that delicious golden color on the chicken and vegetables.
- Use Bone-In Chicken: Using bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces like thighs and drumsticks adds a huge amount of flavor and ensures the meat stays juicy and tender during roasting. The skin also becomes wonderfully crisp.
- Add Feta at the End: Crumble and sprinkle the feta cheese over the tray bake after it comes out of the oven. The residual heat will warm it through and make it slightly creamy without it melting away completely.
- Keep Garlic Cloves Whole: Roasting whole, unpeeled garlic cloves makes them incredibly sweet and soft. Guests can squeeze the creamy, roasted garlic out of its skin and spread it on their chicken.
What To Serve Mediterranean Chicken Tray Bake
This tray bake is a fantastic one-pan meal that can easily be served on its own. To make it go further or to mop up the delicious pan juices, serve it with a side of warm, crusty bread or some fluffy couscous. For an extra touch of freshness, a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette would also be a perfect accompaniment.
How To Store Mediterranean Chicken Tray Bake Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will meld together and it makes for a delicious lunch the next day, either cold or reheated.
- Freeze: Freezing is not highly recommended for this dish. While the chicken will be fine, the texture of the roasted vegetables, particularly the tomatoes and courgettes, can become overly soft and watery upon thawing.
Hairy Bikers Mediterranean Chicken Tray Bake Nutrition Facts
- Serving size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 495 kcal
- Total Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 15g
- Dietary Fiber: 5g
- Sugars: 8g
- Protein: 38g
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts? Yes, you can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but you will need to adjust the cooking time as they cook much faster. Cut them into large 2-inch chunks and add them to the tray. Start checking for doneness after 20-25 minutes to ensure they don’t dry out.
- Can I add other vegetables to the tray bake? Absolutely! This recipe is incredibly versatile. Chunks of bell peppers (any color), aubergine (eggplant), or even new potatoes would be fantastic additions. If adding potatoes, cut them into small 1-inch pieces so they cook in the same time as the chicken.
- Can I prepare this meal in advance? Yes, this is a great recipe to prep ahead. You can chop all your vegetables and combine them with the chicken in the roasting tin. Mix the dressing separately. Cover both and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to cook, just pour over the dressing, toss, and bake.
Hairy Bikers Mediterranean Chicken Tray Bake
Description
An easy and healthy Hairy Bikers Mediterranean Chicken Tray Bake. This vibrant one-pan meal features tender chicken pieces roasted with cherry tomatoes, courgettes, olives, and red onion, all tossed in a zesty lemon and oregano dressing. Perfect for a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place chicken, onion, courgettes, tomatoes, garlic, and olives in a large roasting tin.
- In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the ingredients in the tin and toss to coat everything evenly.
- Arrange in a single layer and roast for 40-45 minutes until the chicken is golden and cooked through.
- Sprinkle with optional feta cheese before serving.
