Feta Chicken Recipe
This flavorful Feta Chicken Dish features tender baked chicken breasts topped with a tangy, creamy feta cheese mixture and a sweet and savory honey marinade infused with garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Simple to prepare and perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner, it delivers Mediterranean-inspired flavors that pair beautifully with fresh lemon wedges and parsley garnish.
- Author: liam
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes to 4 hours 30 minutes (including marinating)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Gluten Free
For the Chicken and Marinade
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Feta Topping
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- A drizzle of olive oil
- Pinch of salt
- Black pepper, to taste
For Garnish and Serving
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 lemon, sliced
- Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper until the mixture is well blended and smooth.
- Adjust the Seasoning: Taste the marinade and adjust the spiciness or sweetness by adding more red pepper flakes or honey as desired to balance the flavors.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish, pour the marinade over the chicken pieces ensuring they are fully coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate: Refrigerate the marinating chicken for at least 30 minutes, but ideally for 2 to 4 hours to allow deeper flavor penetration.
- Prepare Feta Topping: In a small bowl, gently mix the crumbled feta cheese with a drizzle of olive oil, a pinch of salt, and black pepper until combined. Set aside.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Chicken: Heat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off, discard the used marinade. Arrange the chicken breasts in a baking dish evenly spaced.
- Apply Feta Mixture: Spoon the prepared feta cheese topping evenly over each chicken breast, covering the surface.
- Bake: Bake the chicken for 25 to 30 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and the feta cheese is golden and bubbly. Optionally, broil for the final 2-3 minutes to achieve a nicely browned top.
- Rest the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes to retain juices and enhance tenderness.
- Prepare to Serve: Arrange fresh greens or roasted vegetables on a serving platter and slice the lemon into wedges for a fresh citrus accompaniment.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the baked feta chicken with chopped fresh parsley and serve warm, optionally drizzling any juices collected in the baking dish over the top.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken longer intensifies the flavor and tenderizes the meat.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes to your heat preference or omit if you prefer a milder dish.
- Broiling at the end is optional but adds a beautiful golden crust to the feta topping.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Pair with a side of roasted vegetables, quinoa, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Keywords: feta chicken, baked chicken with feta, honey marinated chicken, Mediterranean chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, baked chicken breasts, feta cheese chicken