Description
This Baked Chicken with Crispy Feta & Vinaigrette is a flavorful Mediterranean-inspired dish featuring tender chicken thighs topped with a golden, crispy feta and panko breadcrumb crust, finished with a tangy garlic vinaigrette. It’s an easy yet elegant meal perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Topping
- 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Vinaigrette
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat and Season: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika to build a flavorful base.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken thighs for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown but are not fully cooked through, locking in juices and adding depth of flavor.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, combine the crumbled feta cheese, panko breadcrumbs, and dried oregano. Mix well so the topping is evenly seasoned and ready to adhere to the chicken.
- Top and Bake: Press the feta breadcrumb mixture firmly onto the top of each seared chicken thigh. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the topping has turned golden and crispy.
- Make the Vinaigrette: While the chicken bakes, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until emulsified, creating a tangy and aromatic vinaigrette.
- Finish and Serve: Once the chicken is done baking, remove the skillet from the oven. Drizzle the vinaigrette lightly over the chicken pieces and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve warm for best flavor.
Notes
- This dish pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
- For an extra crunchy topping, broil the chicken for the last 1 to 2 minutes of baking.
- You can substitute chicken breasts for thighs, but adjust cooking time as breasts may require slightly longer to cook through.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with topping and vinaigrette
- Calories: 345
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
