One of the easiest recipes in Mediterranean cuisine... Chicken Riganati, or Greek Lemon Roasted Chicken, is juicy and tender and requires just a handful of ingredients. Prepare it for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. You'll love the lemon and oregano flavor of the dish and the easiness of putting it together.
When it comes to cooking, my chicken recipes always include a whole lot of spices. My pantry is literally overloaded, and I would usually incorporate at least 5 different spices into my regular chicken recipe.
So, when I made Chicken Riganati or Kota Riganati, I was pleasantly impressed with how so little ingredients can produce such a delicious and succulent meal.
Greek food as a part of the Mediterranean Diet is by default considered one of the tastiest in the world. The simplicity and the abundance of vegetables in the recipes' ingredients make it one of the healthiest cuisines.
What's interesting is that without realising this, Mediterranean food is the one we tend to order the most often for take out. I can't get enough of it and their garlic sauce is one of its kind!
And when it's summer and hot outside, there's no salad recipe that I make more often than Greek Chicken Panzanella. Super flavorful and my family loves it!
Back to our Greek Lemon Roasted Chicken. The recipe comes together super quickly. Your oven will do the rest of the job.
If you're a fan of this recipe, you need to try my other chicken recipes! This mustard chicken is a reader favorite, and skillet chicken with bell peppers is perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Make sure you use a freshly squeezed lemon juice and if possible Greek or Mediterranean Oregano, which tends to have the most earthy and savory flavor.
To prepare the recipe, drizzle chicken with olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Then, rub it with oregano, garlic, salt and pepper. Pop it in the oven and wait for the magic to happen. Juicy, flavorful and delicious chicken is calling your name.
This Greek Lemon Chicken is one flavorful meal that will cheer you up after a long day.
More simple Mediterranean recipes
If you make this recipe, please leave me a comment below and rate it. I always appreciate the feedback. Also, you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.
Recipe
Greek Chicken Riganati (Kota Riganati)
Video
Ingredients
- 5 chicken drumsticks*
- 4 tablespoon lemon juice fresh
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon dry oregano
- 2 cloves garlic pushed through a garlic press
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup Kalamata olives
- 2 tablespoon Feta cheese crumbled
- 1 medium lemon sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F.
- Rinse the drumsticks, pat dry and place it in a medium baking pan.**
- Drizzle chicken with olive oil and lemon juice.
- In a small bowl combine oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper and rub it into a chicken. Tuck the lemon slices in between the chicken.
- Bake for 60 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 180 F on an instant-read thermometer. Flip the chicken halfway and baste it a 4-5 times during baking***
- Remove from the oven, sprinkle with Kalamata olives and Feta cheese.
- Serve with roasted or mashed potatoes, pasta or Basmati rice.
Notes
**I used 1.25 qt rectangular baking dish.
***If you want your chicken to have an extra crispy skin, turn on a broiler and broil it for a few minutes keeping an eye on it at all times.
Nutrition
Iryna Bychkiv is the founder and writer of the culinary website Lavender & Macarons, where she shares clean, European-inspired recipes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and made with wholesome ingredients. Iryna loves creating meals that are simple yet healthy and unique, including vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Iryna is also a freelance writer for MSN and Associated Press Wire.
annemarie schweitzer says
Your picture shows lemon slices between the chicken- why not include this in the recipe
Iryna says
Anne Marie, my apologies for the confusion. Editing the recipe now.
Dolly says
If you use chicken breasts how many would you use or how many pounds. Thanks
Iryna says
You can use 4 chicken breasts. And I would bake it 450F for about 18 minutes. Then , you can remove it from the oven, cover with a foil and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. If you have an instant meat thermometer, it should read 165 F. Hope this helps!
Elizabeth says
Now that's my kind of meal! Love all these flavours, and it sounds so simple to make. It looks delicious!
Iryna says
Thanks Elizabeth!
Claire says
This is just delicious!
I am always looking for extra oven baked chicken recipes, as they are so handy on busy week nights!
I made this last night with chicken thighs and served it with bread and salad.
Simple and delicious.
Thanks for a great recipe
Iryna says
Thanks for your comment Claire! I'm so glad you liked the recipe!
Veena Azmanov says
What a delicious CHICKEN RIGANATI! I simply cannot wait to try it! Very interesting combination of ingredients. I am saving this recipe for later. YUM!
Iryna says
Thanks Veena!
Natalie says
I never heard of chicken riganati before, but it sure looks like my kinds of preferred meal! Sounds absolutely delicious!
Iryna says
Thank you Natalie!
Marie says
This looks so delicious. I am a big fan of lemon chicken and the addition of feta and olives to create zesty, bright and salty flavours sounds amazing!
Iryna says
Thanks Marie! Yes, olives and Feta intensify the flavor of the dish even more.
Kulia says
Yummy yummy!
Iryna says
Thank you!:)