Baked Feta Chicken is easy chicken recipe that combines juicy chicken breasts coated in tangy feta, tomato and garlic sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights!
We also love the more classic baked chicken caprese.
Table of Contents
Inspired by the viral baked feta pasta and my baked feta dip, the idea struck me that the creamy feta would make the most amazing sauce for coating baked chicken breasts in. It absolutely did!
I served baked feta chicken over spaghetti and we gobbled it up. It’s become one of the favorites in our arsenal of healthy chicken recipes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Yummy sauce with no effort: As it bakes, the creamy feta melts, tomatoes burst, and aromatic flavors naturally sweeten the sauce.
- Healthy: Chicken and feta cheese create a protein-packed duo that’s naturally gluten-free and low carb.
- Quick prep: No need to sear chicken, half tomatoes, or mince garlic, just dump and bake.
- Minimum ingredients: You’ll only need 9 ingredients, including oil, salt and pepper.
Ingredients for Baked Feta Chicken
Baked feta chicken is an easy weeknight dinner with a short list of simple ingredients.
- Chicken breasts: You’ll need 2 pounds, which is equivalent to 4-6 boneless skinless chicken breasts. You can also use chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat.
- Grape tomatoes: Whole grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes are best for feta chicken because their sweeter flavor perfectly enhances the sauce. Diced large tomatoes will work in a pinch.
- Feta cheese: For the star of the dish, grab an 8 ounces block of quality feta, usually found in either a vacuum-sealed package or in a brine. Crumbled feta could work, however the sauce will have more grainy texture.
- Garlic: Fresh, whole garlic cloves will soften and blend into the sauce.
- Olive oil: I chose extra virgin olive oil for its deliciously rich taste, but any olive oil will work.
- Seasonings: We sprinkle everything with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Fresh basil: Finely chopped basil is a perfect garnish.
How to Make Baked Feta Chicken
Here is how to make this baked feta chicken recipe with just 5 minutes of prep time. Simply toss it all together, bake, and stir!
There is a full recipe card below.
Start by preheating your oven to 450 F.
- Combine ingredients: In a 9×13 baking dish, add chicken, grape tomatoes, and garlic cloves. Drizzle with olive oil, followed by a sprinkle of Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Use tongs to stir, ensuring an even coating.
- Add feta: Spread everything outwards, forming a gap in the center of the baking dish, and position the block of feta within the well.
- Bake: Bake chicken without a cover for 30 minutes, then broil for an additional 5 minutes or until it turns golden brown.
- Let it rest, then stir: Take it out of the oven, cover with foil, and allow it to sit for 5 minutes. Gently stir the feta cheese and tomatoes using a fork, pressing them to create a sauce. Finish with a generous sprinkle of basil.
- Serve: Enjoy warm with side dish or salad of your choosing.
Tips for Best Results
With these simple tips, this chicken feta recipe becomes a restaurant-quality entree you’ll crave over and over again.
- Pick large baking dish: You want everything in a single layer to ensure even cooking and enhance the flavor.
- Use broiler safe dish: Not all glass baking dishes are suited for the broiler. I recommend using a ceramic dish instead.
- If using chicken thighs: Make sure to use boneless and skinless chicken thighs, and cook them for a bit less time.
- Quality feta: Use high-quality feta for a rich and tangy taste. Surprisingly, we find Walmart brand feta in brine always fresh and tasty.
Variations
This feta chicken recipe is wonderfully creamy and versatile, so feel free to make it your own:
- Add spinach: Stir in a few handfuls of baby spinach after baking and mixing the sauce.
- Make it spicy: Sprinkle 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes before baking.
- Make it with Boursin cheese: If you don’t love feta cheese, place a block of garlic and herb Boursin cheese in the center and bake.
- Dairy free: You can buy dairy free Boursin cheese. For a vegan feta cheese alternative, look for the Daiya or Violife brands.
- Add other veggies: Chopped bell peppers or sliced mushrooms would be nice.
- Other add-ins: Toss in some sun dried tomatoes or artichoke hearts when you add the feta. Or sprinkle in kalamata olives or capers towards the end of the cooking time.
- Nuts: Garnish with some chopped almonds, pine nuts, or walnuts for a little crunch.
- Dried herbs: Substitute Italian seasoning or mix and match dried oregano, thyme, rosemary, parsley, or a Mediterranean blend for unique flavors.
What to Serve with Feta Chicken?
The sauce is perfect for dressing up pasta or rice, and for a lighter option, you can’t beat a fresh side salad.
- Pasta: Pair it with your favorite pasta such as spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne. I served it over cavatappi pasta.
- Rice: Serve with Instant Pot brown rice, Instant Pot long grain white rice, or cauliflower rice for a low carb option.
- Green salads: A simple spring mix salad or lettuce salad recipe adds a refreshing touch.
- Vegetables: Like roasted asparagus, broccoli, garlic green beans and crispy Parmesan potatoes make excellent sides.
- Bread: Crusty bread or garlic bread is perfect for soaking up the creamy sauce.
How to Store and Reheat
Store: If you find yourself with leftovers, simply let them cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Reheat: Feta chicken bake warms up beautifully! You can reheat it in a microwave or for a stovetop option, gently simmer it in a covered pot on low heat.
Freeze: Pop the delicious leftovers into an airtight container and stash them in the freezer, good for up to 3 months.
FAQs
You can use crumbled feta cheese if you have to. No changes to the recipe, kind of sprinkle it all around and keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn.
To keep your chicken juicy, make sure not to overcook it. After cooking, let it rest for a bit, this helps the juices settle and makes the chicken extra tender.
Your chicken is ready when an instant read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the chicken reads 165 F.
More Feta Recipes to Try
More Easy Chicken Recipes
- Sheet pan chicken and veggies
- Spinach stuffed chicken breast
- Baked honey garlic chicken
- Cranberry and brie stuffed chicken
Baked Feta Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 10 ounces grape tomatoes
- 1 head of garlic
- 3 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 8 ounces block feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. In a large 9×13 baking dish, add chicken breasts, grape tomatoes and garlic cloves. Drizzle everything with olive oil and then sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Stir with tongs to coat evenly.
- Make a well in the center of baking dish and place a block of feta in it.
- Bake uncovered for 30 minutes and then broil for another 5 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven, cover with foil and let stand for 5 minutes. Using a large spoon, stir feta cheese and tomatoes gently, pressing on them to create a sauce. Then garnish with basil.
- Serve warm with your side of choice like pasta or rice or a salad.
Video
Notes
- Store: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freeze: Transfer leftovers into an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in a microwave or in a small pot, simmering on low while covered.
- Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes or cut up large tomatoes will work in a pinch. I prefer whole small tomatoes though.
I assume because it doesnโt say so above the chicken breasts just go in 9×13 dish whole? Or do you cut up?
You bake them whole. At the time when I was photographing this recipe my chicken breasts came small, so might seem like I cut them but not.
Can you do this in a crockpot?
Yes, just make sure not to overcook the chicken. I would follow cook times on this slow cooker chicken breast recipe.
This was SO good. Like much better than I expected. It’s now on our regular rotation.
Glad this is getting added to the repeat list! I appreciate your review.
Oh my gosh, this is so good! I was surprised by just how much I liked it, even knowing I love all the ingredients. The garlic adds such delicious flavor and the feta plus tomatoes = soooo yummy. My whole family enjoyed, and I loved that it was high-protein. Its officially on our list of favorites.
Youโre so welcome, Kim! Glad this is getting added to the repeat list! I appreciate your review.
So easy and delicious ๐คค loved it ๐
So glad to hear, Esther!
I can not wait to try this. If I have the recipe, should I cook for less time. Thank you for sharing your easy and healthy recipes!
No, you keep same cooking time for half the recipe. Let me know how you like it!
Loved this easy dinner. Thanks Olena!
My pleasure, Allison!:)