Description
Baked Chicken with Crispy Feta & Vinaigrette turns your ordinary dinner into a Mediterranean feast with golden chicken and crumbled cheese that crackles with tangy goodness. Weeknight dinner gets an instant upgrade when your kitchen smells like a Greek taverna and your plate looks seriously delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt
- Pepper
Vinaigrette and Finishing:
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), ensuring the rack is centered for even cooking.
- Mix 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Pat 4 chicken breasts dry with paper towels and generously coat both sides with the seasoning blend.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Sear chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes per side until a golden-brown crust develops.
- Transfer the skillet directly to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.
- While chicken cooks, whisk ¼ cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, and 1 tablespoon honey in a small bowl.
- Remove skillet from oven and sprinkle 1 cup crumbled feta cheese over chicken breasts.
- Switch oven to broil and place skillet 4-6 inches from heat source for 2-3 minutes until feta turns golden and crispy.
- Let chicken rest for 5 minutes to redistribute juices.
- Drizzle vinaigrette over chicken and garnish with 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Chicken breasts cook faster when they’re an even thickness, so pound them gently before seasoning to ensure uniform cooking.
- Salt draws moisture out, so season the chicken just before cooking to keep it tender and prevent dryness.
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the vinaigrette for 30 minutes before cooking, which helps tenderize and infuse the meat.
- If avoiding dairy, replace feta with nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese alternatives for a similar crispy, tangy topping.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 460 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg