Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes

If you love bold Mediterranean flavors and easy, one-pan meals, you’re in for a treat! Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes is a classic Greek dish that combines tender, juicy chicken with crispy, golden potatoes, all roasted together in a zesty, garlicky lemon sauce. The result? A deeply flavorful, comforting meal that’s both simple and satisfying.

This recipe is perfect for weeknights, family gatherings, or meal prep—just marinate, roast, and enjoy! I’m so excited to share this authentic Greek recipe with you, so let’s get started!

What Makes Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes Special?

Greek cuisine is all about fresh, simple ingredients and bold flavors, and this dish is a perfect example of that. Here’s why you’ll love it:

✔️ One-pan meal – Minimal cleanup, maximum flavor!
✔️ Authentic Mediterranean taste – Fresh lemon, garlic, and oregano create an irresistible flavor.
✔️ Juicy chicken, crispy potatoes – The perfect balance of textures.
✔️ Great for meal prep – Reheats beautifully for leftovers.
✔️ Customizable – Works with bone-in or boneless chicken, different potatoes, and added veggies.

What Does Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes Taste Like?

The lemony, garlicky marinade infuses the chicken and potatoes with a bright, tangy, and savory flavor, while roasting gives everything a beautiful golden-brown crispiness. The herbs and olive oil add richness, making this dish both refreshing and deeply satisfying.

Ingredients for Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes

You only need a handful of simple, Mediterranean staples to make this dish shine:

For the Chicken & Potatoes:

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and drumsticks (or 2 large chicken breasts, halved)
• 4 medium Yukon Gold or russet potatoes, cut into wedges
• 1 medium onion, sliced (optional)

For the Marinade:

• Juice of 2 lemons (about ½ cup)
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or fresh)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon paprika (optional, for color)
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

For Garnish:

• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Crumbled feta cheese (optional)
• Lemon wedges, for serving

Tools You’ll Need

✔️ Large mixing bowl
✔️ Baking dish or sheet pan
✔️ Whisk
✔️ Tongs

How to Make Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes

1. Marinate the Chicken

• In a large bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, black pepper, paprika, and red pepper flakes.
• Add the chicken and toss to coat. Cover and let marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight in the fridge).

2. Prepare the Potatoes

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
• In a baking dish, toss the potato wedges with a few spoonfuls of the marinade.

3. Assemble & Roast

• Place the chicken on top of the potatoes, skin-side up. Pour the remaining marinade over everything.
• Add ½ cup water or chicken broth to the pan to keep the potatoes moist.
• Roast uncovered for 40-50 minutes, basting with pan juices halfway through, until the chicken is golden and crispy.

4. Broil for Extra Crispiness

• For extra crispy skin and potatoes, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end.

5. Serve & Garnish

• Sprinkle with fresh parsley and crumbled feta (if using).
• Serve with lemon wedges and enjoy!

What to Serve with Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes

This dish is delicious on its own, but here are some classic Greek sides to round out the meal:

🥗 Greek Salad – Crisp cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and feta with a tangy dressing.
🫓 Pita Bread – Perfect for scooping up the flavorful juices.
🧄 Tzatziki Sauce – A refreshing garlic-yogurt dip.
🍆 Roasted Vegetables – Zucchini, eggplant, or bell peppers complement the dish beautifully.
🍷 A Glass of Greek White Wine – Such as Assyrtiko for a refreshing pairing.

Tips for Making the Best Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes

✅ Use bone-in, skin-on chicken – It stays juicier and crisps up beautifully.
✅ Marinate for extra flavor – The longer, the better! Overnight is best.
✅ Cut potatoes evenly – This ensures they cook at the same rate.
✅ Baste with pan juices – Keeps everything moist and flavorful.
✅ Broil at the end – A quick blast under high heat makes the skin extra crispy.

How to Store & Reheat Leftovers

Storage:

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

Reheating:

• Reheat in a 400°F oven for 10 minutes to maintain crispiness.
• You can also use an air fryer at 375°F for 5 minutes.

Freezing:

• Freeze chicken and potatoes separately in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
• Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

The History Behind Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes

This dish is a classic example of Greek home cooking, where simple ingredients come together to create big, bold flavors. Greek cuisine has always been centered around fresh Mediterranean ingredients like olive oil, citrus, garlic, and herbs, which are key components of this dish.

The tradition of roasting meat with potatoes and lemon dates back centuries, with variations found across Greece. It’s particularly popular in family gatherings and Sunday lunches, where meals are cooked slowly and shared with loved ones. The lemon-garlic-oregano marinade is inspired by classic Greek souvlaki, making this dish both comforting and packed with authentic flavors.

How to Make Greek Lemon Chicken in an Air Fryer

Want to make this faster and crispier? Try using an air fryer! Here’s how:

Air Fryer Instructions

1. Marinate the chicken as usual for at least 30 minutes.
2. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
3. Air-fry the potatoes first for 15 minutes, shaking halfway through.
4. Add the marinated chicken on top of the potatoes and cook for another 20 minutes, flipping once.
5. Check for doneness (165°F internal temperature) and serve!

This method creates super crispy skin and perfectly roasted potatoes in less time!

Best Wine Pairings for Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes

Pairing the right wine can elevate this dish and enhance its flavors. Since this meal is bright, lemony, and herbaceous, you’ll want wines that are crisp, citrusy, and well-balanced.

Best White Wines 🍷

🍋 Assyrtiko – A dry, mineral-rich Greek white wine with citrus notes that complement the lemony chicken.
🍑 Sauvignon Blanc – Crisp acidity with hints of herbs that match the oregano and garlic.
🌿 Vermentino – A light-bodied wine with a refreshing finish that enhances the Mediterranean flavors.

Best Red Wines 🍷

🍒 Pinot Noir – A light, fruity red that won’t overpower the dish.
🍷 Agiorgitiko – A Greek red wine with soft tannins that pair well with roasted chicken.

For a non-alcoholic pairing, try a sparkling lemonade or a mint-infused iced tea!

Other Delicious Greek Dishes to Try

If you loved this Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes recipe, here are more traditional Greek dishes you’ll enjoy:

🥗 Horiatiki (Traditional Greek Salad) – A fresh tomato, cucumber, and feta salad with a simple olive oil dressing.
🍢 Souvlaki (Greek Chicken Skewers) – Marinated grilled chicken skewers served with pita and tzatziki.
🍆 Moussaka – A Greek-style layered casserole with eggplant, ground beef, and creamy béchamel sauce.
🧄 Tzatziki Sauce – A cool and creamy yogurt-based dip with garlic and cucumber, perfect for dipping.
🥖 Homemade Pita Bread – Soft, fluffy Greek pita perfect for scooping up all the lemony juices.

How to Make This Dish for a Crowd

Hosting a Greek-inspired dinner party or cooking for a large group? This dish is perfect for feeding a crowd because it’s easy to prepare and requires minimal hands-on cooking time. Here’s how to scale up the recipe while keeping everything flavorful and well-cooked.

1. Use a Large Roasting Pan

• Instead of a single baking dish, use a large sheet pan or two roasting pans to ensure everything roasts evenly without overcrowding.
• Spread the potatoes in a single layer to ensure they crisp up.

2. Adjust Cooking Time for More Chicken

• If roasting more than 8 pieces of chicken, increase the baking time to 55-60 minutes.
• Rotate the pans halfway through for even browning.

3. Keep It Warm for Serving

• If making in advance, keep the dish warm in the oven at 200°F (95°C) until ready to serve.

4. Serve Buffet-Style

• Set up a self-serve station with Greek sides like tzatziki, pita bread, and salad so guests can customize their plates.

With these simple adjustments, you can serve restaurant-quality Greek chicken and potatoes to a crowd effortlessly!

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes

Even with such a simple dish, there are a few common mistakes that can prevent it from turning out perfectly crispy and flavorful. Here’s how to avoid them:

1. Using Too Much Liquid

❌ Adding too much broth or lemon juice can steam the potatoes instead of roasting them.
✅ Solution: Use just ½ cup of liquid—this keeps things moist while allowing the potatoes to crisp up.

2. Not Marinating Long Enough

❌ Skipping the marinade or rushing it results in less flavorful chicken.
✅ Solution: Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, but ideally overnight for maximum flavor.

3. Overcrowding the Pan

❌ Too many potatoes or chicken pieces prevents crisping and causes steaming.
✅ Solution: Use a large baking sheet and spread ingredients evenly in a single layer.

4. Not Basting the Chicken

❌ Without basting, the chicken may dry out and the flavors won’t fully develop.
✅ Solution: Baste with the pan juices at least once halfway through roasting.

5. Skipping the Broil Step

❌ The chicken and potatoes won’t have that crispy, golden-brown finish.
✅ Solution: Broil for 2-3 minutes at the end to achieve the perfect crisp texture.

By avoiding these common pitfalls, you’ll get perfectly roasted, flavorful Greek lemon chicken and potatoes every time!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use boneless chicken?

Yes! Boneless thighs or breasts work, but reduce the cooking time to 25-30 minutes so they don’t dry out.

What type of potatoes work best?

Yukon Golds and russets crisp up the best, but red potatoes work too.

Can I cook this in a slow cooker?

Yes! Cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours. The potatoes won’t be as crispy, but the flavors will be amazing!

Can I add other vegetables?

Absolutely! Bell peppers, zucchini, or carrots can be roasted along with the chicken and potatoes.

Final Thoughts

Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes is one of the easiest, most flavorful meals you’ll ever make! The tangy lemon, garlic, and herb marinade makes the chicken juicy and tender, while the potatoes soak up all the delicious juices.

If you try this recipe, leave a comment below or tag me on Pinterest with your delicious creations! Want more easy Mediterranean recipes? Subscribe to get them straight to your inbox! 🇬🇷🍗✨

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