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.
Recipe For Greek Lemon Chicken
My idea of a perfect weeknight dinner is one that doesn't require me to spend hours in the kitchen. Moreover, lately I've been on a "mission" to finish with the dinner prep as well as main daily blogging tasks before 3 pm.
My older daughter goes to preschool and I love being able to pick her up earlier so that we all can have a quality mom-daughters time before the bedtime.
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.
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 recipe
- Quinoa Fritters With Zucchini And Feta - reader's favorite recipe approved by meat eaters;
- Pea Fritters Cakes - easy, healthy and delicious for lunch or dinner.
Let me know in the comment section below if you love Greek food and what is your favorite recipe?
If you make Chicken Riganati, don't forget to snap a picture and post it on Instagram with a hashtag #lavenderandmacarons. I'd love to see your creations.
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Recipe
Greek Chicken Riganati (Kota Riganati)
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
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, pepper and rub it into a 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.
Video
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
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!:)