Mediterranean Feta Chicken Tenders

Are you constantly searching for that perfect weeknight dinner – one that’s both incredibly simple to prepare and bursts with unforgettable flavor? Do you long for a fresh take on chicken that transcends the ordinary? Look no further! This delightful Baked Feta Chicken recipe is your answer, promising to revolutionize your dinner routine with its ease and delicious Mediterranean-inspired taste.

This fantastic recipe requires only four core ingredients and clocks in at an astounding 10 minutes of hands-on prep time. Once assembled, it bakes to perfection in just 30-35 minutes. Imagine: in under an hour, you can transform simple ingredients into a gourmet-tasting meal, leaving you ample time to unwind, catch your breath, and enjoy the evening. It’s the ultimate stress-free solution for busy evenings when you crave something special without the fuss.

And if you’re feeling adventurous, I’ve included plenty of creative variation ideas to inspire your culinary journey. Whether you’re aiming for a healthier option, a richer flavor profile, or simply using what you have on hand, this adaptable dish provides a superb canvas for your personal touch. Get ready to discover your new go-to chicken recipe!

Why This Baked Feta Chicken Will Be Your New Favorite Dinner

It’s simply irresistible: effortlessly easy, remarkably fast, and incredibly delicious. What more could one ask for in a dinner recipe? This Baked Feta Chicken stands out as a true culinary gem, perfect for anyone from seasoned home cooks to complete beginners looking for a foolproof meal.

The beauty of this dish lies in its streamlined preparation. You can literally have the entire meal prepped and ready for the oven in the same amount of time it takes for your oven to preheat. That’s right – under 10 minutes of active work! Once it’s in the oven, you’re free to relax, set the table, or even prepare some simple side dishes. The 30-35 minute baking time is just long enough to get everything else organized without feeling rushed.

The secret to its vibrant flavor profile lies in the dynamic duo of tangy Greek dressing and savory feta cheese. These Mediterranean staples infuse the chicken with an incredible depth of taste, creating a dish that feels sophisticated yet requires minimal effort. Because the chicken itself is so packed with flavor, I often opt for straightforward side dishes. A crisp, tossed green salad and some perfectly steamed broccoli are my usual companions, making for a balanced, healthy, and incredibly satisfying meal. And yes, there’s always enough time to pour myself a nice glass of wine while dinner bakes. It’s a moment of calm in a busy week!

Essential Ingredients for Your Feta Chicken Bake

This recipe celebrates simplicity, utilizing a handful of common ingredients to create a dish rich in flavor. You’ll be amazed at how such minimal components can deliver such a delicious result. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Chicken Tenderloins: These are my preferred cut for their quick cooking time and consistent tenderness. They absorb the flavors beautifully.
• Greek Salad Dressing: This is your secret weapon for a burst of authentic Mediterranean flavor. Opt for an oil-based dressing for the best results.
• Diced Tomatoes: Canned diced tomatoes add a wonderful juiciness and a touch of acidity that complements the feta perfectly. You can also use fresh Roma tomatoes for a brighter taste.
• Feta Cheese: The star of the show! Crumbled feta, especially a Mediterranean herb-flavored variety, melts into a salty, creamy topping that elevates the entire dish.

Each ingredient plays a crucial role, contributing to the overall balance and deliciousness of this easy baked feta chicken. This short list ensures that grocery shopping is a breeze, and you might even have most items already in your pantry!

How to Master This Feta Chicken Bake: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating this flavorful Baked Feta Chicken is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a perfect meal every time:

1. Prepare the Chicken: Begin by arranging your chicken tenderloins in a single layer on a plate. Drizzle a generous amount of Greek dressing over them. Use a basting brush to ensure every piece is evenly coated, allowing the flavors to penetrate the chicken. This initial coating is key to tender and flavorful results.
2. Arrange in Baking Pan: Lightly spray an 11×7 inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Carefully transfer the dressed chicken tenderloins to the prepared pan, ensuring they are laid out in a single layer. This promotes even cooking.
3. Optional Marination: For an even deeper flavor, you can marinate the chicken at this stage for up to 30 minutes. This is a fantastic option if you’re multitasking or prepping components ahead of time. Simply cover the pan and let it sit.
4. Prepare the Tomato Mixture: Take your can of diced tomatoes and partially drain the excess liquid. A simple trick is to crack the lid without fully removing it, then invert the can over the sink for about 10 seconds. Once partially drained, empty the tomatoes into a bowl. Add ¼ cup of Greek dressing to the tomatoes and stir thoroughly to combine these vibrant flavors.
5. Layer and Top: Pour the seasoned tomato mixture evenly over the layer of chicken in the baking dish. This creates a succulent base for the feta. Finally, sprinkle a generous amount of crumbled feta cheese over the entire dish. The feta will melt beautifully, creating a creamy, tangy topping.
6. Bake to Perfection: Cover the baking pan tightly with aluminum foil. This helps to steam the chicken and keep it moist. Bake in your preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked through and tender.
7. Rest and Serve: Once removed from the oven, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness and flavor.

Expert Tips for the Perfect Baked Feta Chicken

While this recipe is incredibly forgiving, a few expert tips can ensure your Baked Feta Chicken is consistently outstanding, whether you’re a novice or an experienced cook.

• Understanding Cooking Times for Different Cuts: The recommended cooking time is based on chicken tenderloins, which are inherently thin and cook quickly, yielding perfectly tender results every time. If you opt for **chicken breasts**, especially thicker ones, they will require a longer cooking time – generally an additional 10-15 minutes. For even cooking, consider butterflying or pounding thicker breasts to a uniform thickness. If using **boneless, skinless chicken thighs**, while they are also a great choice for flavor, their cooking time may vary. Always use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken, ensuring it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
• Pan Size Matters: The amount of chicken and the size of your baking dish significantly impact cooking time. If your 11×7 inch pan is very crowded and the tenderloins are overlapping, they will steam rather than bake evenly, requiring an additional 10 minutes or more. To avoid this, or if you’re cooking for a larger crowd, consider using a larger 9×13 inch baking pan. This allows the chicken pieces to spread out in a single layer, ensuring optimal heat distribution and consistent cooking.
• Scaling Up the Recipe: I’ve successfully prepared this baked feta chicken with up to 2 pounds of chicken tenderloins without altering the quantities of the other ingredients. The robust flavors of the Greek dressing, tomatoes, and feta are potent enough to adequately season the increased amount of chicken. When doubling the chicken, a 9×13 inch pan is highly recommended to maintain that crucial single layer and ensure everything cooks evenly.
• Marination for Enhanced Flavor: While optional, marinating the chicken tenderloins in Greek dressing for 15-30 minutes before baking truly deepens the flavor. The acidity in the dressing also helps to tenderize the chicken, resulting in an even more succulent dish. This is a simple step that yields significant flavor dividends.
• Flavorful Feta Choice: Don’t hesitate to experiment with different types of feta cheese. A feta infused with Mediterranean herbs can add an extra layer of aromatic complexity to your dish, making it even more special.

Creative Variation Ideas to Customize Your Dish

One of the best aspects of this Baked Feta Chicken recipe is its versatility. It serves as an excellent foundation for a variety of culinary explorations. Feel free to get creative and adapt it to your taste preferences or whatever ingredients you have on hand.

• Add More Vegetables: For a more robust and colorful meal, consider adding chopped red pepper, zucchini, or even a handful of spinach to the tomato mixture before pouring it over the chicken. The vegetables will soften beautifully as they bake, absorbing the delicious Mediterranean flavors. Sliced red onion or cherry tomatoes (halved) also make excellent additions.
• Fresh Tomato Alternative: If you prefer the vibrant taste of fresh produce, swap out the canned diced tomatoes for 3-4 chopped Roma tomatoes. Their firm texture and sweet-tart flavor work wonderfully in this bake, offering a brighter, garden-fresh profile.
• Dressing Substitutions: Can’t find Greek dressing? An oil-based Caesar dressing makes an excellent substitute, providing a similar savory and tangy kick. Just be sure to avoid creamy Caesar varieties, as their texture and flavor profile are quite different. Other good options include Italian dressing or a simple olive oil and lemon juice mixture with dried oregano.
• Herb Power: Enhance the aromatic qualities of the dish by sprinkling fresh or dried herbs over the chicken and tomato mixture. Oregano, thyme, and basil are classic Mediterranean choices that complement the feta and Greek dressing perfectly.
• A Touch of Spice: For those who enjoy a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes mixed into the tomato sauce can add a delightful warmth without overpowering the other flavors.
• Olive Perfection: For an extra layer of briny, savory depth, chop 3-4 Kalamata olives and sprinkle them over the feta cheese just before baking. This truly amplifies the Mediterranean essence of the dish.

Serving Suggestions to Complete Your Meal

This Baked Feta Chicken is incredibly versatile when it comes to serving. As mentioned, I often keep things light and simple, pairing it with a fresh green salad and a steamed vegetable like broccoli or green beans. This approach creates a wonderfully healthy, low-carb meal that feels satisfying without being heavy.

However, if you’re looking for something more substantial, this dish pairs beautifully with a variety of starches:

• Pasta: Serve the chicken alongside a small portion of your favorite pasta. While the liquid from the bake doesn’t form a thick sauce, you can easily drizzle the flavorful pan juices over plain noodles to give them a wonderful Mediterranean essence. For an even easier approach, place hot, drained pasta in a bowl and pour the warm pan liquid over the top, stirring quickly to coat before serving.
• Rice or Quinoa: Fluffy rice (white or brown) or protein-rich quinoa are excellent choices for soaking up the delicious juices from the pan, making each bite incredibly flavorful.
• Roasted Potatoes or Orzo: Small roasted potatoes or a side of orzo pasta tossed with a bit of olive oil and fresh parsley would also be delightful.
• Pita Bread or Naan: Warm pita bread or naan is perfect for scooping up the chicken, tomatoes, and any delicious residual juices.

No matter how you choose to serve it, this Baked Feta Chicken is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser, providing a burst of Mediterranean flavor with every forkful.

Discover More Easy Weeknight Meals You’ll Love

If you enjoyed the simplicity and flavor of this Baked Feta Chicken, you’re in for a treat! Here are some other incredibly easy and delicious recipes from my kitchen that are perfect for busy weeknights:

• Mediterranean Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
• Instant Pot French Onion Chicken
• Hearty Zucchini and Ground Beef Casserole
• Spicy Blackened Chicken Tenders
• Quick Instant Pot Pepper Steak

📖 Recipe: Baked Feta Chicken

Average Rating: 5 out of 5 stars from 69 votes

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Baked Feta Chicken

This easy chicken dinner will quickly become a favorite! Bottled salad dressing is a shortcut way to punch up the flavor!

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 35 mins

Total Time: 45 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Servings: 4

Calories: 434 kcal

Author: Sula

Ingredients

• 1- 1 ½ pounds chicken tenderloins
• ½ cup Greek salad dressing (divided)
• 4 Roma tomatoes, diced (about 1 pound, or 1 can diced tomatoes, partially drained)
• ¾ cup feta cheese, crumbled (Mediterranean herb flavor recommended)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Lay the chicken tenderloins in a single layer on a plate. Drizzle ¼ cup of the Greek dressing over the chicken. If needed, use a pastry brush to spread evenly over the pieces.
3. Spray an 11×7 inch baking dish with cooking spray and add the tenderloins in a single layer.
4. If using canned tomatoes, partially drain the liquid, then empty the contents into a bowl. (If using fresh Roma tomatoes, chop them and add to the bowl). Add the remaining ¼ cup Greek dressing and stir to combine. Pour this mixture over the chicken in the pan to evenly cover.
5. Sprinkle feta cheese generously over the top of the chicken and tomato mixture.
6. Cover the pan with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C).
7. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness.

Video

Notes

Chicken breasts or boneless, skinless thighs may be substituted for the tenderloins. Cooking time may need to be adjusted to 40-45 minutes, depending upon the size of the pieces and how crowded the pan is. When in doubt, always cook to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Variation ideas: 1. Add chopped red peppers to the tomato mixture. 2. Substitute 4 chopped fresh Roma tomatoes for the canned tomatoes. 3. Chop 3-4 Kalamata olives and sprinkle over the feta cheese before baking. 4. Incorporate fresh herbs like oregano or basil for an added aromatic touch.

Nutrition

Calories: 434kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 65g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 206mg | Sodium: 713mg | Potassium: 1213mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 720IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 159mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.