Easy Dinner for Busy People – Mediterranean Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

…because weeknight life is too busy for complicated cooking!

If you haven’t already fallen for sheet pan dinners, get ready for a little love-fest. Sheet pan meals (like the below Mediterranean Chicken recipe) check all the boxes for a busy weeknight dinner winner.

What is a sheet pan dinner, you ask? Dinner that is made entirely on one sheet pan! The protein, veggies, flavor components – everything goes onto the pan, and gets popped into the oven. In about 30 minutes (or less) the timer dings and…dinner’s ready, no extra fuss. 

Sheet pan dinners are easy to prep, fast to make, and so incredibly versatile. Leftovers are easily paired with pasta, rice, salad, tortilla/lettuce wraps, for a great next-day lunch. And the bonus – with one sheet pan, clean up is a breeze.

This flavor profile is a family favorite! We enjoy the Mediterranean Chicken sheet pan recipe on many occasions, in large part because of its versatility. I like to mix the whole (post-bake) recipe with Israeli couscous for a hearty salad that is delicious served chilled. It’s a great handheld meal when tucked inside a whole wheat pita pocket. And, it’s really good on a fresh lettuce salad with a little extra Lemon-Herb Dressing. Usually, we eat the recipe as-is with a side of pita bread for dinner. Any leftovers are reserved for next-day lunches in various forms.

The veggies retain a great texture if cut into large slices, and the chicken so beautifully soaks up the bright citrus flavors of the dressing.

Just for a moment, let’s talk about that Lemon-Herb Dressing…so good! If you are hugely strapped for time, the dressing can be substituted for 2 Tbs of extra virgin olive oil. But if you have the ingredients on hand, give it a whirl. The fresh lemon offers the finished dish bright top notes that are beyond compare – truly. And whether you opt for basil, parsley, or a combination, your fresh herbs will add intrigue to your dish that you won’t find otherwise.

Make a little extra dressing to have on hand and keep an eye out. You’ll find soon find a few creative uses of your own!

Print

Mediterranean Chicken

Servings 2

Author Mary

Ingredients

Lemon-Herb Dressing

• 1/4 c. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1/4 c. Lemon Juice Fresh!!
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1/4 tsp. Salt
• 1/4 tsp. Granulated Garlic (or use 2 cloves fresh garlic, finely chopped)
• 1/4 tsp. Cracked Black Pepper
• 1 tsp. Sugar
• 1/4 c. Loosely packed fresh herbs Basil or Parsley is perfect!

Mediterranean Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

• 2 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast Left whole, with slits cut halfway through
• 1 Red Pepper Sliced
• 1 Small Yellow Summer Squash Large slices
• 1 Small Zucchini Large slices
• 1 Red Onion Sliced
• 1 c. Kalamata Olives Whole
• to taste Kosher Salt
• to taste Cracked Black Pepper

Garnish

• Feta Cheese
• Pita Bread
• Lemon Wedges

Instructions

1. In a jar with a lid, add all ingredients for the dressing, and shake to combine. Set aside. 

2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. 

3. Add chicken, pepper, squash, zucchini, onion and olives to a sheet pan. Sprinkle all ingredients with salt and pepper, then drizzle half of the Lemon-Herb Dressing on top. Gently toss ingredients to coat, and arrange into one layer for even cooking. 

4. Pop the sheet pan into the oven and bake at 425 degrees F for about 20 minutes, or until fully cooked. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165 degrees F. 

5. Drizzle the finished sheet pan dinner with the remaining Lemon-Herb Dressing, and serve! Enjoy with rice, Israeli cous cous, lettuce wraps, and salads for a bigger meal (and leftovers!)

Recipe Notes

For the easiest, one-pan dinner, this Mediterranean Chicken recipe can be made without the Lemon-Herb Dressing. But, it's extra good with the dressing on top!!