Mediterranean-Style Crispy Baked Chicken
(35-Minute Recipe)
Mediterranean-style crispy baked chicken is a quick and easy recipe for when you want something easy to prepare and loaded with flavor. Skin-on chicken pieces marinated with a Mediterranean spice rub, then pan-fried and oven-roasted until the skin crisps up. The dried dates add a sweetness to the sauce that deserves a good mop-up with plenty of fresh bread.
This easy chicken recipe is the perfect weekday dinner meal, with just a few simple ingredients make crispy baked chicken pieces in around 35 minutes! It is best served alongside your favorite grain and some leafy greens for a nutritious and balanced meal.
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Serving:
Main for 6
Ready in:
35 minutes
Skill level:
Easy
Serve with:
Rice, or your fav side.
How to Make Mediterranean-Style Crispy Baked Chicken
Ingredients (serves 6)
- 35oz (1kg) skin-on chicken pieces (we used chicken quarters with the drumsticks cut off)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (we used La Vera smoked paprika)
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or sub for fresh chili)
- 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 small red onion, diced
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup dried dates, cut into small pieces
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
For Serving (optional)
- Roasted potatoes
- Rice or quinoa
Equipment needed
- Large skillet/pan
- Oven-safe dish (if skillet can’t go in oven)
- Sharp knife
- Chopping board
- Oven
- Small bowl (for mixing the spices and herbs)
Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F/200°C
- In a small bowl, combine the ground cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and red pepper flakes. Season the chicken thighs on all sides.
- In a skillet, pan-fry the chicken pieces in some oil on medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes each side. Once the skin begins to crisp up, transfer the chicken pieces onto a plate and set aside.
- Add the diced onion to the skillet, and simmer for 1-2 minutes, then add the minced garlic and turn off the heat. Mix well then add the chicken pieces skin side up on top of the onions and garlic.
- Sprinkle the dates around the chicken, add a tablespoon or two of water (or olive oil) around the chicken and bake for 20 minutes at 400°F/200°C. (If your skillet/pan can’t go in the oven, transfer the chicken and everything to an oven-safe dish before adding dates and water, then bake.)
- Serve straight away alongside your favorite side dish like some steamed veg. Serve on top of a bed of steamed rice, some roasted potatoes, or quinoa with a Mediterranean-inspired salad.
Cooking tip:
Your chicken is cooked through once it has reached an internal temperature of 65°F/74°C (you can use a Meat thermometer to check).
Watch step-by-step recipe video
If you’re looking for this recipe’s video and many other great recipe ideas, why not check out our Spanish Radish YouTube Channel? We’ve got everything from quick and easy tapas recipes, delicious main meals, and incredible Spanish dessert options too.
Crispy Chicken
Who doesn’t love crispy chicken skin that’s cooked to perfection and seasoned with plenty of spices? We hear you and this is one of our favorite recipes. Crispy chicken pieces seasoned with a selection of Mediterranean spices and herbs, some onion, lots of garlic, and oven-baked dates create a flavor sensation that’s sure to impress.
Another reason we love this chicken recipe is it’s just so easy to make. No fancy ingredients or equipment are required — all you need is a skillet, an oven, and a few easy-to-find ingredients. Ready in 35 minutes.
What Chicken Pieces to Use
We opted for chicken quarters for this recipe, simply as they have plenty of skin that can be crisped up. Quarters are dark meat and have plenty of flavor and there’s lots of meat around the bone. Instead of using the quarters whole, we cut the drumsticks off so they are a little easier to cook.
Other chicken cuts will also work fine, skin-on and bone-in chicken thighs will work great, as will chicken drumsticks. Skin-on chicken breast meat can be a little tricky to cook, as it tends to dry out too much in the oven and takes longer to cook. Find out more about chicken thighs vs chicken breast meat.
Mediterranean Spices
This recipe harnesses flavors of the Mediterranean with a selection of easy-to-find spices including ground cumin, smoked paprika, pepper flakes, and garlic. Its smoky, warming combination of flavors with plenty of earthy tones pairs well with the sweetness of the dried dates.
Spice and flavor suggestions
Sweet
If you want more sweetness, try using sweet paprika instead of smoked paprika. Another option is to add some ground cinnamon (around ½ teaspoon will be plenty to add a subtle sweet spice to your dish). To finish off the dish, always season to taste with some salt and cracked black pepper.
Tangy
Right before serving, give the dish a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice and garnish with some freshly chopped parsley to add a delicious zing to this chicken recipe.
Serving suggestions
Serve this recipe as a main meal alongside your favorite sides. For a balanced meal, we suggest serving it alongside some potatoes or some Mediterranean Yellow Rice and some veg.
Here are a few recipes that will pair well with this recipe:
- Poor Man’s Potatoes – Patatas a lo Pobre
- 5 minute Spanish tomato salad
- Tomato burrata salad with basil and garlic dressing
- No-mayo Spanish potato salad
More Chicken Recipes
- Spicy Mediterranean Chicken Thighs
- Garlic-Infused Boneless Chicken Thighs
- Mediterranean Garlic Rosemary Boneless Chicken Thighs
- Mediterranean Boneless Chicken Thighs Simmered in Tomato Sofrito and Spicy Paprika
- Roast Chicken Thighs with Red Wine, Tomato, and Herbs.
- Lemon and Herb Chicken Thighs
- Easy Spanish Chicken Thighs with Chorizo and Wine
- Baked Mediterranean Chicken Thighs
FAQs
How long does this crispy chicken recipe take to make?
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 35 minutes
How do I know when the chicken is cooked?
Your chicken is cooked through once it has reached an internal temperature of 65°F/74°C (you can use a meat thermometer to check).
Can I use chicken breast meat for this recipe?
Chicken breast meat can be used, however, we prefer to use bone-in and skin-on pieces of chicken for this recipe. They roast better and are less likely to dry out when baked in the oven.
How do I store any leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Cooked leftovers can be frozen for up to three months.
Nutrition Facts
|
Servings: 6 |
|
|
Amount per serving |
|
|
Calories |
475 |
|
% Daily Value* |
|
|
Total Fat 28.9g |
37% |
|
Saturated Fat 7.4g |
37% |
|
Cholesterol 144mg |
48% |
|
Sodium 520mg |
23% |
|
Total Carbohydrate 13.2g |
5% |
|
Dietary Fiber 1.7g |
6% |
|
Total Sugars 9.9g |
|
|
Protein 39.6g |
|
|
Vitamin D 0mcg |
0% |
|
Calcium 34mg |
3% |
|
Iron 3mg |
15% |
|
Potassium 484mg |
10% |
|
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
|
Mediterranean-Style Crispy Baked Chicken (35-Minute Recipe)
Equipment
- Large skillet/pan
- Oven-safe dish If skillet can't go in the oven
- Sharp knife
- Chopping board
- Oven
- Small bowl (for mixing the spices and herbs)
Ingredients
- 35 oz 1kg skin-on chicken pieces (we used chicken quarters with the drumsticks cut off)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika we used La Vera smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes or sub for fresh chili
- 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 small red onion diced
- 4 cloves of garlic minced
- 1/2 cup dried dates cut into small pieces
- Lemon wedges for serving
FOR SERVING (optional)
- Roasted potatoes
- Rice or quinoa
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F/200°C
- In a small bowl, combine the ground cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and red pepper flakes. Season the chicken thighs on all sides.35 oz 1kg skin-on chicken pieces (we used chicken quarters with the drumsticks cut off), 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- In a skillet, pan-fry the chicken pieces in some oil on medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes each side. Once the skin begins to crisp up, transfer the chicken pieces onto a plate and set aside.2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
- Add the diced onion to the skillet, and simmer for 1-2 minutes, then add the minced garlic and turn off the heat. Mix well then add the chicken pieces skin side up on top of the onions and garlic.1/2 small red onion, 4 cloves of garlic
- Sprinkle the dates around the chicken, add a tablespoon or two of water (or olive oil) around the chicken and bake for 20 minutes at 400°F/200°C. (If your skillet/pan can’t go in the oven, transfer the chicken and everything to an oven-safe dish before adding dates and water, then bake.)1/2 cup dried dates
- Serve straight away alongside your favorite side dish like some steamed veg. Serve on top of a bed of steamed rice, some roasted potatoes, or quinoa with a Mediterranean-inspired salad.Lemon wedges, Roasted potatoes, Rice or quinoa
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