Mediterranean Sheet Pan Chicken
Herb-crusted chicken with olives for you — plain roasted chicken strips for them
Adult Version
Herb-crusted chicken thighs with roasted bell peppers, kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, and a lemon-oregano dressing.
Kid Version
Simple roasted chicken strips with roasted potato wedges and steamed green beans, with ranch dressing for dipping.
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss halved baby potatoes with 1 tbsp olive oil and salt. Spread on a sheet pan and roast for 10 minutes.
Season all chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and 1 tbsp olive oil.
Set aside 2 chicken pieces with just the basic salt and pepper seasoning — these are for the kids. Cut into strips if using boneless thighs. Place on a separate small section of the sheet pan (or a second small pan). They'll roast alongside the adult chicken but stay plain and mild.
Season the remaining chicken with oregano, minced garlic, and lemon zest. Add to the sheet pan along with bell peppers, olives, and artichoke hearts. Drizzle with remaining olive oil.
Roast everything for 25 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F and vegetables are tender and slightly charred.
Squeeze lemon juice over the adult portion and top with crumbled feta. Serve kids' chicken strips with roasted potatoes (tossed with a bit of butter), steamed green beans, and ranch dressing for dipping.
Ingredients
Shared (Both Versions)
- 2 lbs chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb baby potatoes, halved
- Salt and pepper
- 1 lb green beans, trimmed
Standard Version
- 1 cup kalamata olives
- 1 can artichoke hearts, drained
- 2 bell peppers, sliced
- 2 tbsp dried oregano
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Lemon zest and juice
- Crumbled feta cheese
Adapted Additions
- Ranch dressing for dipping
- Ketchup (optional)
- Butter for potatoes
Adaptation Tips
- •Chicken strips are more approachable than a whole thigh for most kids
- •Roasted potatoes are a near-universal 'safe food' — the natural sweetness from roasting helps
- •Ranch dressing as a dip makes almost any protein more appealing to kids