Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Thighs work wonderfully - they're juicier and handle the long bake time beautifully. Just increase cooking time by 5-10 minutes until they hit 175°F internally. The feta still gets gloriously crispy on top. Bonus: thighs are often cheaper for meal planning too!

How do I keep the feta from burning?

The secret's in the baking temp - 375°F is the sweet spot for golden perfection. If your oven runs hot (like mine does), you might tent the dish with foil for the first 20 minutes, then remove it to crisp up. Also, stick with block feta you crumble yourself - it holds up better than the pre-crumbled kind.

Can I make this ahead for meal prep?

Yes! Prep the chicken with vinaigrette up to a day ahead (store covered in the fridge), then add the feta just before baking. It's my favorite Mediterranean diet meal prep hack - the flavors marinate beautifully overnight. Leftovers keep for 3 days and make killer lunch salads!

What can I substitute for feta?

If you're not a feta fan (though I'll try to convert you!), goat cheese gives a similar tangy bite without the crispiness. For dairy-free, try crumbled baked tofu with lemon zest - it won't crisp the same but brings great texture. Just don't tell my Greek grandma I suggested alternatives!

Irresistible Baked Chicken with Crispy Feta in 30 Minutes

Name: Baked Chicken with Crispy Feta and Zesty Vinaigrette
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 1 cup crumbled feta cheese; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 lemon, juiced and zested; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Baked Chicken with Crispy Feta and Zesty Vinaigrette

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A Mediterranean-inspired chicken dish with crispy feta and a bright lemon vinaigrette, perfect for a simple yet impressive dinner.

Author: Sophia Collins
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 30 min
Total Time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Diet: Low Calorie

Ingredients

Scale

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
2 tbsp olive oil
1 lemon, juiced and zested
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Coat the chicken breasts with the mixture and place them in a baking dish.
Sprinkle crumbled feta evenly over the chicken.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the feta is crispy.
Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

For extra crispiness, broil the chicken for 2-3 minutes at the end.
Serve with a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh salad.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
Calories: 320
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 650mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 4g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 35g
Cholesterol: 110mg

Find it online: https://kitchenuser.net/baked-chicken-crispy-feta-zesty-vinaigrette-recipe/