“There are two kinds of people – Greeks, and everyone else who wish they was Greek.” Movie? My family and I play this game all the time where you have to guess what movie a quote came from. If you guessed My Big Fat Greek Wedding, then you’re right. I must have watched that movie no less than 50 times (and it’s not because I’m half Greek). 😉
The chicken and potatoes in this dish are roasted in traditional Greek flavors of lemon and oregano.
Greek Roasted Chicken and Potatoes Recipe
(Makes 4 servings)
Ingredients:
- 6 small potatoes
- 2 pounds chicken (with skin and bones) (I used thighs)
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Peel the potatoes and cut each of them into 6 pieces, lengthwise like you are making steak fries.
- Place the potatoes and chicken in a 9 x 13 baking dish, in as close to a single layer as possible. Set it aside.
- Whisk together the lemon juice, oil, oregano, salt and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the potatoes and chicken, coating well.
- Bake for 1 and 1/2 hours, or until everything is golden brown and the potatoes are tender, basting it about every 30 minutes.
Store in an air tight container in the refrigerator or freezer.
When my husband and I host dinner parties there are several criteria involved in choosing the main meal. First, I find a successful dinner party is assisted greatly by a meal that can be largely prepared ahead of time. This reduces both the time spent at the party dealing with food as well as overall stress levels caused by timing everything. Second, and I realize this one may be amusing, but I think long and hard about whether or not I can remember having already made a meal for the group coming to the party. Even dishes that people love aren’t welcome every single time. Lastly, I consider whether I can keep the party within a reasonable budget. Food can be expensive when you are feeding a large family or a lot of friends, so reasonably priced items help me be Greek. That is to say, everyone gets to leave stuffed silly.
This dish works perfectly on almost any budget and no matter how many people are coming over. You only need a few ingredients and they are some of the cheapest ones in the grocery store. Delicious chicken thighs are just about the cheapest part of the chicken, and potatoes are available in giant bags because they are easy to afford too.
I like to prepare food before my guests arrive so that I can spend more time with them and so I’m not running around in the kitchen like a crazy lady. When you get to prepare something the day before, no one but my husband gets to see me running around and that’s just better for everyone.
Since I cook this nice and slow, the chicken is incredibly moist and tender. The lemon juice adds a wonderful bright flavor. You can even use the lemon juice and oil mixture for a Greek salad dressing! Bonus, a recipe with a dual purpose. While we are on that, please use olive oil. It offers a fair bit of flavor on its own and it’s worth it. 🙂
My Yiayia (the Greek word for grandmother) is an amazing cook and she gets her potatoes to a crispy perfection. Maybe there is some secret technique that maybe only yiayias have. The potatoes with the crispiest edges are the most popular ones in my family. My sisters and I have been known to fight for those.
Oopa! Maybe you should remind your guests to not break the plates. 😉
Adapted from: Opaa! Greek Cooking New York Style
Here are some of my other favorite chicken dinners.
I love the idea of this meal- looks so delicious and full of flavor!
Thanks Meghan!
Figuring out exactly what to make for a dinner party is always very important. I don’t think people really put much thought into it. But, you’re right. It takes some time and choosing on what to make. And, these potatoes would be fun to make whether hosting a dinner party or just for the family. I love how you put the lemon and oregano together. Super divine! (=
I totally agree! Thanks Gloria. 🙂
Love it, Tina! Reminds me of my Ukrainian chicken and potatoes. Pinning!
That’s so cool that it’s similar to a Ukraine dish!
YUMM! This would be a good Thanksgiving side dish 🙂
Absolutely. 🙂
Chicken, potatoes, lemon and oregano this has to be divine!
I always stress over what to have when company is coming over, this will be a life saver for next time!!
Awesome! I hope it does come in handy one day. 🙂
This is a must-make! So easy and simple. I love that movie too 🙂
Awesome sauce. 🙂
I always take me a bit of time to think about what to make when I have guests coming over for dinner too and this dish sounds perfect since I can do most of the prep work ahead of time. The flavors sound fantastic and the chicken looks so moist and tender! Thanks for sharing Tina 🙂
Exactly! Thanks so much Kelly. 🙂
Delish, Tina! I love Greek food. A couple of my favorite items are the Moussaka and the Avgo Lemono soup. YUM!
Your chicken recipe looks ah-mazing! Pinned!
Avgo lemono soup is on my list of recipes to make and blog! Moussaka is one of my favorites too, but the hubby isn’t too much a fan of eggplant. I think pastitsio is my all time favorite…definitely need to make and blog one day. 🙂
Thanks for pinning. 🙂
Yassou, ti kanis?! Do you speak Greek, Tina? I’m supposing you do some. I’m part Greek as well, so this dish is resonating with me big time! I loved My Big Fat Greek Wedding, too. 🙂
Oh my gosh! Kala’! Pos íste? I miloún polý líga elli̱niká. I know a little from my family but my husband and I trying to learn more with Rosetta Stone…it’s hard to find the time to keep it up though. I love meeting a fellow Greek. 🙂 I knew there was a reason why I liked you. 😉
Haha the.boy says that pretty much on a daily basis (he is 100% greek). I just know he would love this meal!
Haha, that’s awesome! He would love this dish. 🙂
Greek dinners like these are my favorite! I must try it soon, it is making my mouth water 😉
Hehe, awesome! Let me know if you end up trying it. 🙂
I love that movie! And this roasted chicken with potatoes is calling my name, seriously. Will you send it to me please? 🙂
Hehe, if my husband and I didn’t gobble this up over the weekend, I’d definitely send you a sample. 😉
Chicken and potatoes, can’t go wrong with this dinner! I bet this smelled amazing while it was roasting. 🙂 John Corbett was so dreamy in the movie! 😀 Happy Friday Tina!
TGIF! I always enjoy seeing you here. 🙂
Hi Tina! First of all, yum. Second, what kind of potatoes do you use? When I’ve tried to make a different recipe in the past I couldn’t get the potatoes and chicken cooked at the same time.
Hi there! I usually use russet potatoes. I have that problem too sometimes because it depends on the size of the chicken pieces and potato slices. If your potatoes tend to take longer to cook (which is usually my issue) then cut them smaller/skinnier so that they cook faster. I hope that helps.