Mediterranean Lemon-Herb Roasted Chicken with Olives

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant dish featuring free-range chicken roasted with aromatic herbs, plump olives, and zesty lemon, reflecting authentic Mediterranean cooking traditions. This mediterranean-inspired sheet pan (mediterranean) ready in about 100 minutes pairs whole chicken, olive oil, lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.0 (9 ratings) Prep: 25 min Cook: 75 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 620 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Pat chicken dry with paper towels, then rub 2 tbsp olive oil all over the skin. Season generously inside and out with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper.
  2. Step 2: Squeeze juice from one lemon over the chicken cavity and stuff with half the rosemary, thyme, and 3 garlic cloves. Place the remaining herbs, garlic, and lemon halves (quartered) around the chicken in the roasting pan.
  3. Step 3: Toss potatoes and tomatoes with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Arrange around the chicken, then scatter olives on top.
  4. Step 4: Roast uncovered for 1 hour 15 minutes, basting every 20 minutes with pan juices until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internally and skin is deeply golden brown—check at 50 minutes to prevent over-browning.
  5. Step 5: Remove chicken to a cutting board and tent loosely with foil. Let rest for 15 minutes while pan juices thicken slightly. Slice chicken and serve with roasted vegetables and pan sauce.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Mediterranean Lemon-Herb Roasted Chicken with Olives take to make?

Total time is about 100 minutes (25 min prep + 75 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Mediterranean Lemon-Herb Roasted Chicken with Olives?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep whole chicken from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Mediterranean Lemon-Herb Roasted Chicken with Olives?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Mediterranean Lemon-Herb Roasted Chicken with Olives for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Mediterranean Lemon-Herb Roasted Chicken with Olives?

Mediterranean sheet pan like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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