Roasted Mediterranean Chicken Thighs and Baby Potatoes – Easy One-Pan Family Dinner

🎉 Introduction

If you’re craving a no-fuss, full-flavor dinner that brings warmth and comfort to the table — look no further than this Roasted Mediterranean Chicken Thighs and Baby Potatoes recipe. It’s a one-pan wonder that combines crispy-skinned, juicy chicken thighs with golden, herby potatoes, infused with garlic, lemon, smoked paprika, and a touch of tomato paste for a beautifully savory glaze.

Perfect for weeknights or relaxed weekends, this dish is both hearty and wholesome, echoing the rustic, sun-soaked flavors of the Mediterranean. Best of all? Minimal prep and cleanup!

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large sheet pan or roasting tray
• Mixing bowl
• Measuring spoons
• Sharp knife and cutting board
• Tongs or spatula
• Aluminum foil (optional for easier cleanup)

🧄 Sheet pan meals are the real MVP for busy families — less mess, more magic!

🛒 Ingredients

🍗 For the Chicken & Potatoes

• 6 bone-in chicken thighs, skin-on for best flavor
• 1 lb baby potatoes, halved or quartered depending on size

🌿 Herbs, Spices & Flavor

• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp oregano, dried
• 1/4 tsp chili flakes
• 1 tsp paprika, smoked
• 2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 lemon, juiced (about 1 1/2 tbsp)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• Extra salt and pepper, to taste

🫒 Oils

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Extra drizzle of olive oil for finishing

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Preheat & Prep

• Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
• Line a large sheet pan with foil or parchment for easy cleanup.

🔥 High heat is key to crispy chicken and golden potatoes.

Step 2: Season the Chicken

1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
2. In a large bowl, mix together:
   • Garlic powder
   • Oregano
   • Paprika
   • Chili flakes
   • Salt and black pepper
   • Lemon juice
   • Tomato paste
   • 2 tbsp olive oil
3. Add chicken thighs to the bowl and rub the marinade all over, making sure it gets under the skin too.

🍋 The tomato paste adds a rich Mediterranean depth — don’t skip it!

Step 3: Prepare the Potatoes

• Toss halved baby potatoes in a separate bowl with a drizzle of olive oil, a pinch of salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of garlic powder and paprika.
• Spread them evenly across one side of the sheet pan.

Step 4: Roast Everything Together

• Arrange the marinated chicken thighs on the other half of the sheet pan, skin side up.
• Roast for 40–45 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 175°F (79°C) internally and the skin is crisp.
• Halfway through, flip the potatoes and spoon any juices over the top for max flavor.

🔁 Optional: Broil for 3–5 minutes at the end for extra crispy skin.

Step 5: Finish & Garnish

• Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes.
• Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and an extra squeeze of lemon juice if desired.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Yield: 4–6 servings
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40–45 minutes
• Total Time: ~55 minutes

This is a balanced and satisfying meal ideal for busy weeknights or cozy weekends.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer

• Freeze cooled chicken and potatoes separately for up to 2 months.
• Thaw overnight in the fridge.

Reheating

• Reheat in a 375°F oven for 10–15 minutes or microwave individual portions.

♻️ For best results, re-crisp potatoes in the oven or a skillet!

🥄 Variations

• 🍅 Add Veggies – Add bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, or zucchini to the pan during the last 20 minutes.
• 🧀 Feta Finish – Crumble feta cheese over the dish for a creamy, salty kick.
• 🌶️ Spicy Kick – Add more chili flakes or a drizzle of hot harissa after roasting.
• 🧄 Garlic-Lemon Sauce – Mix roasted garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil for a quick drizzle.
• 🍚 Serve Over Rice or Couscous – Great way to soak up the juices!

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use boneless chicken thighs or breasts?
Yes, reduce cooking time to 25–30 minutes for boneless cuts.

2. Do I need to marinate the chicken ahead of time?
Not required, but if you have time, marinate for 1 hour or overnight for deeper flavor.

3. Can I use sweet potatoes instead?
Yes, sweet potatoes roast beautifully with the same seasoning.

4. What’s the best way to crisp the skin?
Always roast chicken skin side up, and use the broiler for 3–5 minutes at the end.

5. Can I add olives or capers?
Absolutely! Add them during the last 15 minutes of roasting.

6. Is this gluten-free?
Yes, all ingredients are naturally gluten-free — just confirm with your specific brands.

7. Can I make this ahead of time?
You can prep everything in the morning and roast it at dinnertime — easy meal prep win!

8. What other proteins can I use?
Bone-in drumsticks or thighs are best, but lamb chops or pork shoulder chunks also work.

9. Is this spicy?
It has mild heat from chili flakes, but you can omit or adjust to taste.

10. What wine pairs well with this?
A chilled rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, or light red like Pinot Noir complements it beautifully.

🏁 Conclusion

This Roasted Mediterranean Chicken Thighs and Baby Potatoes dish is a flavor-packed, no-fuss dinner that delivers on every level — crispy, juicy, herby, and comforting. It’s perfect for feeding your family, impressing guests, or prepping lunches for the week ahead.

Thanks to just one pan, you’ll have less mess and more flavor — the way Mediterranean cooking was meant to be.

Adam

Roasted Mediterranean Chicken Thighs and Baby Potatoes – Easy One-Pan Family Dinner

If you’re craving a no-fuss, full-flavor dinner that brings warmth and comfort to the table — look no further than this Roasted Mediterranean Chicken Thighs and Baby Potatoes recipe. It’s a one-pan wonder that combines crispy-skinned, juicy chicken thighs with golden, herby potatoes, infused with garlic, lemon, smoked paprika, and a touch of tomato paste for a beautifully savory glaze. Perfect for weeknights or relaxed weekends, this dish is both hearty and wholesome, echoing the rustic, sun-soaked flavors of the Mediterranean. Best of all? Minimal prep and cleanup!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

🍗 For the Chicken & Potatoes

• 6 bone-in chicken thighs skin-on for best flavor
• 1 lb baby potatoes halved or quartered depending on size

🌿 Herbs, Spices & Flavor

• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp oregano dried
• 1/4 tsp chili flakes
• 1 tsp paprika smoked
• 2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 lemon juiced (about 1 1/2 tbsp)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 3 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
• Extra salt and pepper to taste

🫒 Oils

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Extra drizzle of olive oil for finishing

Equipment

• Large sheet pan or roasting tray
• Mixing bowl
• Measuring spoons
• Sharp knife and cutting board
• Tongs or spatula
• Aluminum foil (optional for easier cleanup)
• 🧄 Sheet pan meals are the real MVP for busy families — less mess, more magic!

Method

 

Step 1: Preheat & Prep

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Line a large sheet pan with foil or parchment for easy cleanup.

🔥 High heat is key to crispy chicken and golden potatoes.

Step 2: Season the Chicken

1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
2. In a large bowl, mix together:
3. Garlic powder
4. Oregano
5. Paprika
6. Chili flakes
7. Salt and black pepper
8. Lemon juice
9. Tomato paste
10. 2 tbsp olive oil
11. Add chicken thighs to the bowl and rub the marinade all over, making sure it gets under the skin too.

🍋 The tomato paste adds a rich Mediterranean depth — don’t skip it!

Step 3: Prepare the Potatoes

1. Toss halved baby potatoes in a separate bowl with a drizzle of olive oil, a pinch of salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of garlic powder and paprika.
2. Spread them evenly across one side of the sheet pan.

Step 4: Roast Everything Together

1. Arrange the marinated chicken thighs on the other half of the sheet pan, skin side up.
2. Roast for 40–45 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 175°F (79°C) internally and the skin is crisp.
3. Halfway through, flip the potatoes and spoon any juices over the top for max flavor.

🔁 Optional: Broil for 3–5 minutes at the end for extra crispy skin.

Step 5: Finish & Garnish

1. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes.
2. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and an extra squeeze of lemon juice if desired.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer
Freeze cooled chicken and potatoes separately for up to 2 months.

Thaw overnight in the fridge.

Reheating
Reheat in a 375°F oven for 10–15 minutes or microwave individual portions.

♻️ For best results, re-crisp potatoes in the oven or a skillet!

🥄 Variations

🍅 Add Veggies – Add bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, or zucchini to the pan during the last 20 minutes.

🧀 Feta Finish – Crumble feta cheese over the dish for a creamy, salty kick.

🌶️ Spicy Kick – Add more chili flakes or a drizzle of hot harissa after roasting.

🧄 Garlic-Lemon Sauce – Mix roasted garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil for a quick drizzle.

🍚 Serve Over Rice or Couscous – Great way to soak up the juices!

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use boneless chicken thighs or breasts?
Yes, reduce cooking time to 25–30 minutes for boneless cuts.

2. Do I need to marinate the chicken ahead of time?
Not required, but if you have time, marinate for 1 hour or overnight for deeper flavor.

3. Can I use sweet potatoes instead?
Yes, sweet potatoes roast beautifully with the same seasoning.

4. What’s the best way to crisp the skin?
Always roast chicken skin side up, and use the broiler for 3–5 minutes at the end.

5. Can I add olives or capers?
Absolutely! Add them during the last 15 minutes of roasting.

6. Is this gluten-free?
Yes, all ingredients are naturally gluten-free — just confirm with your specific brands.

7. Can I make this ahead of time?
You can prep everything in the morning and roast it at dinnertime — easy meal prep win!

8. What other proteins can I use?
Bone-in drumsticks or thighs are best, but lamb chops or pork shoulder chunks also work.

9. Is this spicy?
It has mild heat from chili flakes, but you can omit or adjust to taste.

10. What wine pairs well with this?
A chilled rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, or light red like Pinot Noir complements it beautifully.

🏁 Conclusion

This Roasted Mediterranean Chicken Thighs and Baby Potatoes dish is a flavor-packed, no-fuss dinner that delivers on every level — crispy, juicy, herby, and comforting. It’s perfect for feeding your family, impressing guests, or prepping lunches for the week ahead.

Thanks to just one pan, you’ll have less mess and more flavor — the way Mediterranean cooking was meant to be.