Baked Chicken with Crispy Feta & Zesty Vinaigrette Recipe
This Baked Chicken with Crispy Feta & Zesty Vinaigrette Delight is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish featuring juicy bone-in chicken thighs topped with a creamy blend of crumbled feta cheese and a tangy vinaigrette. Baked to golden perfection and garnished with fresh herbs and lemon wedges, it offers a perfect balance of rich, savory, and zesty flavors ideal for a hearty dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 45-50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 pieces Chicken Thighs (bone-in for moisture)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (or avocado oil for higher smoke point)
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
Topping
- 1 cup Feta Cheese (crumbled, use sheep’s milk for creaminess)
- 1/4 cup Zesty Vinaigrette (homemade blend of lemon juice and Dijon mustard)
Garnish
- 1/4 cup Fresh Herbs (chopped parsley or basil)
- 2 pieces Lemon Wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Chicken: Arrange the chicken thighs bone-side down in the baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper for balanced flavor.
- Mix Topping: In a small bowl, combine the crumbled feta cheese with the zesty vinaigrette, which is a blend of fresh lemon juice and Dijon mustard, mixing thoroughly until well combined.
- Top Chicken: Evenly spoon the feta and vinaigrette mixture over each chicken thigh, ensuring good coverage for maximum flavor and a crispy golden crust when baked.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C) and the feta becomes crispy and golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, sprinkle with fresh chopped herbs such as parsley or basil, and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side to add a fresh citrusy punch.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, broil the chicken for the last 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs to retain moisture and enhance flavor.
- Homemade zesty vinaigrette can be made by whisking together fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the oven.
Keywords: baked chicken, feta cheese, zesty vinaigrette, Mediterranean chicken, crispy feta chicken, oven-baked chicken thighs, lemon chicken, easy dinner recipe
