Cooking tips:

A few helpful cooking tips to elevate your Spanish Chicken and Veggie dish:

🔪 Preparation Tips

1. Pat the chicken dry before seasoning – this helps achieve a better sear and crispier skin, even in the oven.
2. Marinate ahead of time (if possible) – if you have the time, letting the chicken and veggies sit in the lemon juice, olive oil, and spices for 30 minutes to 2 hours (or overnight) enhances flavor depth.

🍋 Ingredient Enhancements

1. Zest the lemons before juicing and add the zest to the dish for extra citrusy brightness.
2. Add other Spanish-inspired veggies like sliced bell peppers or zucchini for variety and color.
3. Use high-quality smoked paprika (pimentón de la Vera if you can find it) for authentic Spanish flavor.

🔥 Cooking & Oven Tips

1. Roast uncovered so the chicken skin crisps and the veggies caramelize slightly.
2. Position chicken skin-side up (if using skin-on) to allow browning and better texture.
3. Rotate the dish halfway through baking if your oven has hot spots for even cooking.

🧂 Finishing Touches

1. Rest the chicken for 5 minutes after baking to retain juices.
2. Garnish with fresh herbs like chopped parsley or thyme before serving for added freshness and color.

Serving Suggestions

Here are a few delicious and complementary side dishes to serve with your Spanish Chicken and Veggie recipe. Each one enhances the Mediterranean flavors and rounds out the meal with balance and texture:

Spanish-Style Roasted Potatoes 

Toss baby potatoes or cubed Yukon golds with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and a pinch of sea salt. Roast them alongside the chicken or in a separate tray. Crispy on the outside and fluffy inside—perfect for soaking up the pan juices. 

Here’s our Patatas a lo Pobre Recipe that’s perfect for serving alongside Spanish chicken and veggies

Saffron or Turmeric Rice

A lightly flavored yellow rice made with saffron or turmeric gives color and a subtle aroma that pairs wonderfully with the lemony, smoky chicken. You can stir in peas or chopped red pepper for extra Spanish flair.

Check out our Mediterranean Yellow Rice recipe, it’s vegan, Gluten-Free, and made in under 30 mins.

Simple Green Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Keep it fresh with a crisp salad of mixed greens, arugula, or romaine, dressed in lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, and a dash of oregano. This brightens the plate and balances the richness of the chicken.

We’ve got a great (and super healthy) ensalada verde Spanish Green Salad with Asparagus and Blue Cheese recipe here! 

Crusty Bread or Garlic Bread

A warm, crusty loaf of sourdough or rustic country bread is perfect for dipping into the flavorful juices left in the baking dish. For more punch, try garlic bread with a hint of parsley.

Spanish Garlic Mushrooms (Champiñones al Ajillo)

Sauté mushrooms with garlic, olive oil, and a touch of white wine or sherry. This classic Spanish tapas dish adds an earthy, umami-rich side that complements the chicken beautifully.

The classic Champiñones Al Ajillo recipe with love from Spanish radish HQ: Spanish Garlic Mushrooms 

Grilled or Roasted Vegetables

Add grilled zucchini, bell peppers, or eggplant for extra color and nutrients. A light brush of olive oil and a pinch of sea salt is all they need—keep it rustic and Mediterranean.

Step into summer with these incredible Mediterranean Veggie Skewers with a Yogurt and Paprika Marinade

• Patatas a lo Pobre
• Mediterranean Yellow Rice
• Champiñones al Ajillo

Spanish Chicken and Veggie Recipe Ingredients: Flavorful & Wholesome Staples

This Spanish Chicken and Veggie recipe brings together a vibrant mix of fresh, healthy, and Mediterranean-inspired ingredients that are both simple and bursting with flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Chicken Thighs (Bone-In, Skin-On or Skinless): Juicy and tender, chicken thighs are perfect for roasting. Bone-in pieces add extra flavor and help keep the meat moist during baking.

• Fresh Garlic Cloves (Minced): Garlic is a cornerstone of Spanish cooking. Minced garlic infuses the dish with bold, savory depth and irresistible aroma. Check out our fancy Spanish Ceramic grater plate in the video and grab one for yourself (they’re amazing!!!).

• Onion (Finely Diced): Sweet, caramelized onion adds richness and balances the acidity of the tomatoes and lemon.

• Cherry Tomatoes (Halved): These juicy, bite-sized tomatoes burst with flavor and add a slight sweetness that complements the smokiness of the paprika.

• Fresh Lemons (Juiced): Lemon juice brightens the dish and tenderizes the chicken naturally. It’s a key component of Mediterranean flavor profiles.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Use high-quality olive oil for the best results. It enhances the texture, adds heart-healthy fats, and brings out the essence of all the other ingredients.

  Discover more about the health benefits of EVOO in our complete guide: Olive oil nutrition facts and how it can benefit your health

• Smoked Paprika (1 tsp): Known as pimentón, this is the spice that gives Spanish dishes their signature smoky warmth. It adds color and boldness to every bite.

• Dried Oregano (1 tsp, Organic if possible): Earthy and aromatic, oregano is a Mediterranean herb that pairs beautifully with roasted chicken and vegetables.

• Garlic Powder (1 tsp): Adds an extra layer of garlicky goodness to enhance the flavor profile without overpowering the dish.

• Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper (To Taste): Essential for seasoning and bringing all the flavors together. Always taste and adjust as needed.

This combination of simple, nutritious ingredients creates a one-dish Spanish chicken dinner that’s both delicious and easy to prepare. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, healthy meal prep, or a flavorful family meal.

Best Cut of Chicken to Use

When it comes to roasting chicken in a dish like Spanish Chicken and Veggie, bone-in, skin-on (or skinless) chicken thighs are easily the best cuts to use. They’re flavorful, juicy, and stay tender even after high-heat roasting. The bone adds richness and depth to the meat, while the skin on thighs crisps up beautifully in the oven, adding a satisfying texture. 

Chicken thighs are also more forgiving than leaner cuts like breast—they retain moisture well and don’t dry out easily, even if slightly overcooked. This makes them ideal for hands-off, oven-baked dishes where everything cooks together in one pan.

Other options

If you prefer boneless, skinless chicken thighs, they’re still a great choice. They cook faster than bone-in pieces, so you’ll want to reduce the baking time to about 18–22 minutes. Because they lack the bone and skin, they can be slightly less juicy, so it helps to marinate them in the lemon juice and olive oil mixture for at least 30 minutes before cooking. Also, consider adding a few extra cherry tomatoes or a splash of broth to ensure the dish stays moist.

For those using chicken breast, keep in mind that it’s the leanest cut and can dry out quickly in the oven. To avoid this, slice the breast in half horizontally to create thinner pieces (cutlets), or pound them slightly for even cooking. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and bake for about 18–20 minutes, depending on thickness. Marinating is essential here, and adding the chicken to the dish during the last 15–20 minutes of baking (after veggies have started roasting) can help preserve juiciness.

Chicken drumsticks are another excellent alternative, especially if you’re cooking for kids or prefer a darker, more robust flavor. Like thighs, drumsticks are forgiving and do well with high heat. Keep the skin on for added texture and bake for around 30 minutes, turning once halfway through for even browning. A meat thermometer is helpful here—cook to an internal temperature of 74°C / 165°F.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh + portion of veggies
Servings Per Recipe: 4

⚠️ Notes:

• Olive oil adds most of the fat content, but it’s heart-healthy monounsaturated fat.
• Chicken thighs provide the bulk of the protein and some saturated fat.
• Lemon juice, tomatoes, and garlic contribute to the vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
• This estimate assumes moderate olive oil usage (~2 tablespoons total) and skin-on thighs. If skin is removed, calories and fat will decrease.

More Spanish Chicken Recipes:

Whether you’re looking for a no-fuss recipe that can easily be whipped up for a weeknight meal, or a high-protein post-workout dinner that’s healthy and nutritious, we’ve got you with 7 of our favorite easy chicken recipes that will transport your tastebuds straight to the Mediterranean!

Check out our complete recipe guide for 7 Easy Chicken Recipes That Are Perfect for Weeknight Dinners here. 

FAQS

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

Yes, you can use chicken breast, but reduce the cooking time to 18–20 minutes and consider 

What vegetables can I add to this dish?

You can add bell peppers, zucchini, or even mushrooms for extra color and flavor. Just keep them in similar sizes for even cooking.

How do I know the chicken is cooked properly?

Use a meat thermometer—the internal temperature should reach 74°C / 165°F for perfectly cooked chicken.

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