Baked Mediterranean Chicken, an easy to prepare recipe that's packed with delicious bold flavors of a wet rub. A blend of garlic powder, cumin, coriander, and smoked paprika combined with a liquid base such as olive oil and fresh lime juice creates the perfect marinade to intensify the taste of each chicken breast.
Even if you tend to shy away from cooking chicken breast, due to its low moisture content. I think you'll appreciate the simplicity and juiciness this wet rub offers to this easy Baked Mediterranean Chicken recipe. In this post, I'll walk you through a few simple key elements that will take boring ole' chicken breast to the next level.
HOW TO PREPARE BAKED MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN
In my opinion, extra care needs to be taken when cooking chicken breast... why? Well, chicken breast doesn't contain the same level of fat as dark meat and because of that chicken breast tends to dry out much faster and can lack in flavor compared to dark meat. With that being said, you can use these simple steps to prepare a quick and easy weeknight dinner of Baked Mediterranean Chicken.
Wet Rub: The key to this easy Baked Mediterranean Chicken recipe is the wet rub. It contains a blend of my favorite Mediterranean spices, extra virgin olive oil, the juice of one lime or lemon, and salt.
Sear: I love searing and try to sear whenever possible. Although this step is optional, I think it's worth the time. Searing really enhances the flavor of different meat and chicken breast is no exception. It only requires about 5 to 7 minutes on both sides and will definitely enhance the flavor and beauty of the chicken breast.
Bake: After searing the chicken breast, finish the cooking process by placing the oven proof skillet in the oven. Here, you'll continue cooking the chicken breast until the meat is no longer pink paying extra attention to not overcook or insert an instant read thermometer into the thickest part of the breast for doneness. You will know the chicken breasts are done when they reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit (75 degrees Celsius, they are done.
Tips for Serving: The options are pretty much limitless when it comes to serving Baked Mediterranean Chicken. You can top each chicken breast:
- Roasted blistered cherry tomatoes (as shown in photo)
- Fresh salsa
- Crumbled feta
- Salsa Verde
You can also serve Baked Mediterranean Chicken over a bed of:
- Rice
- Zucchini noodles (as a healthier option)
- Salad in particular this delicious and fresh Vegetable Salad with Lettuce
I also like chopping up the chicken breast and using it to make chicken tacos, burritos, or for a quick stir fry.
These are the ingredients used to create the wet rub
Combined and whisked the ingredients to create the wet rub
Marinating the chicken breast in the wet rub
Searing the chicken breast
While chicken breast is baking in the oven. Add the cherry tomatoes around the chicken breast about 10 minutes before the chicken is done.
BAKED MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN MEAL PREP IDEAS
As a meal prep idea, chop each chicken breast and store it in an air tight container and place in the fridge or freezer until you're ready to use. This is convenient for last minute lunch or dinner ideas especially when you're in a time crutch.
Looking for sides to go with your Baked Mediterranean Chicken, check out:
How to Bake Sweet Potatoes Fast
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Baked Mediterranean Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breast (bonless with either skin or no skin)
- 1.5 tbsp kosher salt (more or less to taste)
- ½ tbsp cumin (more or less to taste)
- ½ tbsp coriander (more or less to taste)
- ½ tbsp garlic powder (more or less to taste)
- ½ tbsp smoked paprika (more or less to taste)
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil (for wet rub)
- pepper (more or less to taste)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (for cooking)
- 2 tbsp chopped cilantro for garnish (optional)
- 1 cup roasted cherry tomatoes (optional)
- juice of one lime (or lemon)
Instructions
Wet Rub
- In a measuring cup, add ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil, lime juice, and seasonings and whisk. Set aside.
Chicken Preparation
- Wash 4 chicken breast and pat dry with paper towels. Place on clean plate. Set aside.
- Open a large freezer zip loc bag and place it in a large bowl. Place the chicken breast inside of the zip loc bag and pour over the wet rub. Close the zip loc bag securely while releasing as much air as possible from the bag. Move the zip loc bag around to coat each chicken breast. Allow the chicken to marinade for 15 to 30 minutes at room temperature. Try not to exceed 30 minutes.
- Place an oven proof skillet over medium. Add extra virgin olive oil to the skillet. When the skillet is hot, add the chicken breast. DO NOT OVERCROWD THE SKILLET AS THIS WILL NOT ALLOW THE CHICKEN BREAST TO SEAR PROPERLY. INSTEAD IT WILL STEAM THE CHICKEN. Therefore, cook the chicken in batches if necessary.
- Sear chicken breast on both sides for about 5 to 7 minutes until you get a nice medium brown outer coating. After all chicken breast are seared, place all 4 chicken breast in the skillet. Place oven proof skillet in the preheated oven until chicken breast is cooked through and no longer pink or instant read thermometer reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit or 75 degrees Celsius. DO NOT OVERCOOK AS THE CHICKEN BREAST COULD BECOME DRY. This may take about 27 minutes depending on your oven.
- If serving with blistered cherry tomatoes, wash, pat dry, slice tomatoes in half and drizzle with a bit of extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of salt. Place in the same skillet as the chicken about 10 minutes before the chicken is done.
- Remove skillet from the oven and place chicken breast on a clean plate to rest. This will allow the juices to redistribute back into the meat. Therefore, do not cut chicken breast immediately.
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