This Hairy Bikers Mediterranean chicken tray bake is made with chicken thighs, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, courgettes, and a lemon and oregano dressing. Everything roasts together in one tin for a light, bright meal that is packed with flavour. Serves 6 and takes about 1 hour from start to finish.
I make this all through the summer months when I want something easy but a bit more special than a standard roast. It is one of those recipes where the oven does all the work and you just throw everything in the tin.
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, cut into thick chunks
- 300g cherry tomatoes
- 1 whole head of garlic, cloves separated but unpeeled
- 80g pitted Kalamata olives
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large lemon, zest and juice
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 60g feta cheese, crumbled (optional, for serving)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
How To Make Mediterranean Chicken Tray Bake
- Preheat the oven: Set the oven to 200°C (400°F). Get a large roasting tin that will hold everything in a single layer.
- Arrange the tray: Place the chicken pieces, red onion wedges, courgette chunks, cherry tomatoes, and garlic cloves in the tin. Scatter the Kalamata olives over the top.
- Make the dressing: Whisk together the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, and dried oregano in a small jug. Season well with salt and pepper.
- Coat everything: Pour the dressing over the chicken and vegetables. Use your hands to toss everything together so each piece is evenly coated.
- Roast: Spread the ingredients in a single even layer and bake for 40-45 minutes. The chicken skin should be golden and crisp, the meat cooked through, and the vegetables tender and lightly caramelised.
- Finish and serve: Scatter the crumbled feta over the hot tray bake if using. Let it rest for a few minutes, then serve straight from the tin.
What Is the Secret to a Perfect Mediterranean Chicken Tray Bake?
Spread everything in a single layer so the ingredients roast rather than steam. A crowded tin means soggy vegetables and pale chicken skin. If you enjoy tray bake meals, try the Hairy Bikers chicken tray bake for a heartier version with new potatoes and rosemary.
Always use bone-in, skin-on chicken for this. The bones keep the meat juicy and the skin goes wonderfully crisp in the oven. Add the feta right at the end so it warms through and turns slightly creamy without melting away.
Leave the garlic cloves whole and unpeeled — they turn sweet and soft in the oven. Guests can squeeze the roasted garlic out of the skin and spread it straight onto the chicken.
What Should You Serve on the Side?
This is a full meal from one tin, but warm crusty bread or fluffy couscous alongside is perfect for mopping up the pan juices. A Hairy Bikers halloumi tray bake makes a great vegetarian option if you are cooking for a mixed crowd.
A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette adds freshness and cuts through the richness of the olives and feta.
Does This Reheat Well?
Leftover tray bake keeps in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavours actually meld together overnight and it makes a brilliant cold lunch straight from the fridge or warmed through in the oven.
Freezing is not ideal because the courgettes and tomatoes go soft and watery when thawed. The chicken itself freezes fine, so you could strip the meat and freeze it separately for wraps or salads.
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 chicken breast instead of thighs? Yes, but cut them into large chunks and start checking after 20-25 minutes as they cook much faster. Bone-in thighs give a juicier result and crispier skin.
Can I add other vegetables? Absolutely — aubergine chunks, bell peppers, or new potatoes all work well. Cut potatoes into small pieces (about 2cm) so they cook through in the same time as the chicken.
Can I prepare this the day before? Yes, chop all the vegetables and put them in the tin with the chicken, then make the dressing separately. Cover both and keep in the fridge for up to 24 hours, then just pour over the dressing and bake.
What is the difference between this and the standard Hairy Bikers chicken tray bake? The standard chicken tray bake is a heartier British version with new potatoes and rosemary. This Mediterranean version is lighter, using courgettes, olives, and oregano with crumbled feta on top.
Do I need a special tin for a tray bake? Any large roasting tin works fine. The key is that everything fits in a single layer — if the tin is too small, the ingredients steam rather than roast and the chicken skin will not crisp up.
Can I make this without olives? Yes, simply leave them out. The dish still has plenty of flavour from the lemon, oregano, garlic, and roasted vegetables. Capers make a good alternative if you want a similar briny note.
Try More Recipes:
- Hairy Bikers Chicken Tray Bake Recipe
- Hairy Bikers Halloumi Tray Bake Recipe
- Hairy Bikers Salmon Tray Bake Recipe
Hairy Bikers Mediterranean Chicken Tray Bake
Description
This Hairy Bikers Mediterranean chicken tray bake is made with chicken thighs, courgettes, cherry tomatoes, olives, and feta in a lemon oregano dressing. A one-pan meal ready in 1 hour. Serves 6.
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.
