Roasted Mediterranean Chicken Thighs & Baby Potatoes Recipe

There’s something truly magical about the combination of perfectly roasted chicken and golden, crispy potatoes. When you infuse this classic pairing with the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean—aromatic herbs, bright lemon, and fragrant garlic—you create a dish that’s both comforting and exciting. This Roasted Mediterranean Chicken Thighs & Baby Potatoes recipe is the kind of meal that makes your kitchen smell incredible and brings everyone to the table with eager anticipation.

What makes this recipe particularly special is its simplicity. Despite delivering restaurant-quality results, it requires minimal prep work and uses just one pan. The bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs become wonderfully crispy on the outside while staying juicy and tender inside, while the baby potatoes soak up all those delicious Mediterranean flavors as they roast alongside the chicken. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner that feels special enough for company.

The beauty of Mediterranean cuisine lies in its ability to transform simple, wholesome ingredients into something extraordinary. With just a handful of herbs, quality olive oil, and fresh lemon, you’ll create a meal that tastes like it came straight from a coastal Greek taverna. Whether you’re feeding your family on a busy Tuesday or hosting a casual dinner party, this recipe delivers every single time.

Ingredients

For the Chicken and Potatoes

• 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1.5 lbs baby potatoes, halved
• 3 tbsp olive oil (use good quality extra virgin for best flavor)
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp paprika (smoked paprika works beautifully too)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a subtle kick)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• 1 lemon, sliced into rounds (for roasting)

Instructions

Preparing Your Oven and Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). This high temperature is crucial for achieving that coveted crispy skin on the chicken while ensuring the potatoes develop golden, caramelized edges. While the oven heats up, prepare a large rimmed baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it. This will make cleanup significantly easier and prevent sticking.

Creating the Mediterranean Marinade

In a large mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, dried oregano, dried thyme, paprika, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Whisk these ingredients together until they form a cohesive marinade. The olive oil acts as a carrier for the herbs and spices, helping them adhere to both the chicken and potatoes while promoting browning in the oven. If you’re using the crushed red pepper flakes for a bit of heat, add them to the mixture now.

The key to this marinade is the balance of flavors. The lemon juice provides acidity and brightness, cutting through the richness of the chicken skin. The oregano and thyme bring that quintessential Mediterranean herbal quality, while the paprika adds depth and a subtle sweetness. Don’t be shy with the garlic—it mellows beautifully as it roasts, becoming sweet and fragrant.

Coating the Chicken and Potatoes

Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels before adding them to the marinade. This step is important because dry skin browns and crisps much better than moist skin. Add the chicken thighs to the bowl with the marinade, followed by the halved baby potatoes. Using your hands or a large spoon, toss everything together until the chicken and potatoes are thoroughly and evenly coated with the herbed oil mixture.

Make sure to get the marinade under the skin of the chicken thighs when possible, as this will infuse even more flavor into the meat itself. Spend a good minute or two really working the marinade into everything—this attention to detail makes a noticeable difference in the final result.

Arranging on the Baking Sheet

Transfer the marinated chicken thighs and potatoes to your prepared baking sheet, arranging them in a single layer. This is crucial for even cooking and proper browning. If the chicken and potatoes are crowded or stacked, they’ll steam rather than roast, preventing that beautiful golden color and crispy texture you’re after.

Place the chicken thighs skin-side up, spacing them evenly across the pan. Nestle the potato halves around the chicken, cut-side down when possible, as this allows more surface area to caramelize. Tuck the lemon slices among the chicken and potatoes. As they roast, these lemon slices will soften and become slightly caramelized, adding bursts of concentrated citrus flavor throughout the dish.

Roasting to Perfection

Place the baking sheet in your preheated oven and roast for 35-40 minutes. The exact timing will depend on the size of your chicken thighs and how crowded your pan is. You’re looking for chicken that registers 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer when inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding the bone. The skin should be deeply golden and crispy, and the potatoes should be tender when pierced with a fork.

About halfway through cooking, around the 20-minute mark, give the potatoes a quick stir or flip to ensure even browning. The chicken thighs should remain undisturbed to allow the skin to crisp properly.

Optional Broiling Step

If you want extra-crispy skin, finish the dish under the broiler for 2-3 minutes. Keep a close eye on it during this time, as the high heat of the broiler can quickly go from perfectly golden to burnt. This step isn’t necessary, but it does add that restaurant-quality finish that makes the dish extra special.

Serving

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring every bite is moist and flavorful. Transfer the chicken and potatoes to a serving platter, being sure to scrape up any crispy, caramelized bits from the pan—these are flavor gold. Garnish generously with freshly chopped parsley, which adds a pop of color and fresh flavor that brightens the entire dish.

Serve the roasted Mediterranean chicken and potatoes hot, with the roasted lemon slices on the side. These can be squeezed over the chicken for an extra burst of citrus brightness.

Tips for Success

Choosing Your Chicken

Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are ideal for this recipe because they stay incredibly moist during the long roasting time, and the skin becomes wonderfully crispy. However, if you prefer boneless, skinless thighs, you can certainly use them. Just reduce the cooking time by about 5-7 minutes and check for doneness earlier to prevent the meat from drying out.

Potato Variations

While baby potatoes are perfect for this dish because they’re naturally creamy and cook quickly, you can substitute them with Yukon gold or red potatoes cut into 1-inch chunks. Just make sure all the pieces are roughly the same size so they cook evenly. Fingerling potatoes also work beautifully and add an elegant touch.

Adding More Mediterranean Flair

For an even more authentic Mediterranean experience, consider adding kalamata olives or halved cherry tomatoes to the pan during the last 15 minutes of cooking. The olives will add a briny, salty element, while the tomatoes will burst and create a light, fresh sauce. Crumbled feta cheese sprinkled over the dish just before serving is another delicious addition.

Storage and Reheating

Leftover roasted chicken and potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes. This method helps maintain the crispy skin better than microwaving.

Why This Recipe Works

The combination of high heat, quality olive oil, and the right balance of herbs creates a dish where every element shines. The chicken thighs, with their higher fat content, remain juicy and flavorful, while the potatoes become crispy on the outside and fluffy inside. The Mediterranean herbs and lemon provide brightness without overwhelming the natural flavors of the chicken and potatoes. It’s a balanced, satisfying meal that proves simple ingredients, when treated with care, can create something truly special.