After the excesses of the Christmas Season, I’m sure we’re all looking forward to much lighter, fresher and healthier meals!
This is a really easy and quick recipe that can be scaled up to feed more people and given a few twists to make it different each time.
Chicken is a relatively economic meat, especially if you buy the cheaper portions, such as the thighs, which also have the added benefit of being much tastier!
Mediterranean Chicken Bake Recipe
Basic Recipe
Ingredients
Serves 2
1 large skinless chicken breast (roughly 250g – 300g), sliced into two through the middle to give two thinner portions…or 2 large, plump chicken thighs (or 4 small thighs) – skinned
1 tablespoon oil, vegetable (or olive if you have it)
1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes
1 x small onion, chopped
1 teaspoon vegetable stock powder
175ml cold water
Optional Extras
Add a little extra flavour to the basic recipe by adding as many extras as you like!
1 x clove garlic, chopped
Herbs – oregano or thyme work well – use fresh from the garden or dried
1 teaspoon dried chilli flakes or powder (or add more or less to taste)
A few olives, sliced
Cheese – Mozzarella, parmesan or good old cheddar!
Method
Preheat your oven to 200°c / 180°c Fan / Gas 6
Place the chicken portions into an ovenproof dish in a single layer.
In a small frying pan, heat the oil and gently fry the onion (and garlic if using) until it is softened but not browned.
Add in the tin of chopped tomatoes, the vegetable stock powder and the cold water. Stir everything together then reduce the heat.
At this point add any extras such as herbs, chillies and olives and stir them into the sauce.
Leave to simmer for 15 minutes, stirring every now and then to prevent sticking and burning.
Pour the sauce over the chicken in the ovenproof dish (top with cheese if using) and place in the preheated oven.
Bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked through (thighs may take a bit longer as they are thicker)
Serve with a crisp green salad for a healthy lunch!
When made as just the basic recipe, this is a really tasty dish but it can be enlivened easily with a few simple additions to the sauce. You can add whatever you fancy really but one of our favourite ways to make this is to add some oregano to the tomato sauce and top with mozzarella cheese and call it Pizza Chicken!!
If you enjoy this recipe or have any questions then please do leave a comment below
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