Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes (Easy One-Pan Dinner)

This Greek lemon chicken and potatoes recipe is one of those comforting, no-fuss meals that feels special without being complicated. Everything cooks together in one pan, soaking up lemony, garlicky olive oil flavors while the chicken stays juicy and the potatoes turn soft and deeply seasoned.

It’s the kind of dish that works just as well for a relaxed weeknight dinner as it does for feeding family or guests. Minimal prep, simple ingredients, and big flavor.

✅️ You can also try our easy Perfect Pan-Seared Fillet Mignon

Why This Greek Chicken and Potato Dish Is So Popular

The secret here is the marinade. Fresh lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, oregano, and a small amount of honey come together to create a bold Greek-style flavor that penetrates the chicken and coats the potatoes at the same time.

Using chicken thighs instead of breasts makes a huge difference. Thighs are more forgiving, more flavorful, and stay tender even after a long roast. As they cook, their juices drip down into the potatoes, giving them that rich, restaurant-style taste Greek potatoes are known for.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the chicken and potatoes:
Chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on or boneless)
Yukon gold potatoes
Olive oil
Fresh lemon juice
Garlic cloves
Dijon mustard
Honey
Dried oregano
Dried thyme
Salt
Black pepper

For finishing:
Fresh oregano or parsley (optional)
Lemon wedges

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How This Dish Comes Together

The marinade is made first, combining olive oil, fresh lemon juice, garlic, Dijon mustard, honey, oregano, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Everything is blended until smooth. This mixture will be used for both the chicken and the potatoes, which keeps the flavors consistent throughout the dish.

The chicken thighs are placed in a bowl and thoroughly coated in the marinade. Even a short marinating time works well here, but letting the chicken sit for an hour or two in the fridge allows the lemon and garlic to really penetrate the meat.

⭕️ This Recipe perfectly Match with Ultra-Crispy Vegetable Spring Rolls

While the chicken marinates, the potatoes are peeled if desired and cut into chunky pieces. They don’t need to be perfect — just roughly the same size so they cook evenly. Greek-style potatoes are meant to be soft and saturated with flavor, not crisp like fries.

To assemble the dish, the potatoes are spread across the bottom of a large baking dish and tossed with some of the marinade. The chicken thighs are then placed directly on top, skin-side up, with the remaining marinade poured over everything.

The dish goes into a hot oven to start, which helps develop color, and then continues roasting at a lower temperature. As it cooks, the chicken fat and lemony juices drip down into the potatoes, creating a rich sauce that coats every piece.

If the chicken finishes before the potatoes are fully tender, the chicken can simply be removed and set aside while the potatoes return to the oven for a few extra minutes. Once the potatoes are done, the chicken is placed back on top and everything is ready to serve.

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Serving and Finishing Touches

Before serving, a sprinkle of fresh oregano or parsley adds color and freshness. Lemon wedges on the side let everyone add extra brightness to their plate.

This dish is excellent on its own, but it also pairs well with a simple green vegetable or salad. Spoon some of the pan juices over the chicken and potatoes just before serving — that’s where most of the flavor lives.

Helpful Tips for Best Results

Chicken thighs are ideal for this recipe because they stay juicy even when cooked longer. Boneless thighs work too and are easier to eat.

Don’t worry if the potatoes look very saucy while cooking — Greek potatoes are meant to absorb liquid and become soft and flavorful rather than crispy.

If you like stronger garlic flavor, keep all the cloves. If you prefer it milder, reduce the amount slightly.

Can I use boneless chicken thighs?
Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work very well and make the dish easier to eat, especially for kids.

Do I need to marinate the chicken overnight?
No. Even 30 minutes is enough, though longer marinating will deepen the flavor.

Why are Greek potatoes usually soft instead of crispy?
Traditional Greek lemon potatoes are cooked in oil and lemon juice, allowing them to absorb flavor and become tender rather than crunchy.