One Pan Greek Inspired Chicken (Paleo, Whole30, vegan optional)

There are some nights where I simply need to just throw something in the oven without thinking about it, and then eat off of that meal for the next few days. This One Pan Greek Chicken is one of those great easy recipes that comes together with little to no work! Throw it in the oven, get your other things done, and come back at the end of the hour to enjoy an addicting meal that everyone will love. The blending of all the vegetable flavors tie in together to make the perfect seasoning for both the chicken and potatoes. No one will ever suspect that this recipe fits right into your Whole30 or paleo lifestyle!

I did make a vegan version of this recipe by omitting the chicken, and I have to say that I almost preferred that to the non-vegan version! The potatoes make this a filling meal, and you honestly do not even need the chicken to make this a delicious weeknight meal!

There are a number of ingredients in this recipe that have a number of health benefits. I’ve covered olives in this blog since they are less frequently found in recipes that I normally put up on this blog, but they are great sources of nutrients and have great health benefits! To find out some of the amazing benefits of artichokes (there are so many!), you should definitely check out one of my most popular recipes on the blog to learn more- my Spinach Artichoke Dip!

Some health benefits of olives

Olives might be one of my favorite tasting foods. I eat them alone, in salads, in eggs, and love finding reasons to put them into recipes. This Greek Inspired Chicken is no exception to my love for olives, and combines the deliciousness of other mediterranean flavors to create this easy weeknight meal.

Many people seem to already be familiar with some of the health benefits of olives due to the high profile of olive oil, and the benefits of the Mediterranean diet. For years, people living around the Mediterranean sea have been studied for their longer lives and higher quality of health. People living in the countries of Italy, Greece, and Spain often have lower levels of heart disease and fewer instances of stroke than other non-Mediterranean countries in Europe. Because of the plant-based nature of many of the foods found in the Mediterranean diet, as well as the occasional protein (usually fish, poultry, and rarely red meat) and high quantities of olive oil, many scientists have concluded that the Mediterrananean menu is a great resource for those seeking to have a healthier lifestyle.

While eating olives as they are is one way to get their health benefits, olive oil still retains many of the same healthy qualities that olives possess. Consuming more olives and olive oil may be associated with a reduced risk in heart disease and even death in people who are risk for heart disease.

Olives are also known to contain oleocanthal, which has been found to possibly reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s Disease and possibly other brain-related diseases. Oleocanthal also has been found to be an effective treatment for inflammation, and is currently being studied as an alternative to other over the counter medications such as Ibuprofen.

As if there weren’t enough reasons to love olives, they also may protect against osteoporosis. While current research on the relationship between eating olives and bone health is mostly indirect, they are highly suggestive. Some animal studies have demonstrated that consuming olives can prevent bone loss, although human studies have not yet confirmed whether or not the same effects would occur in humans. Other hopeful studies have demonstrated that people who eat following the Mediterranean diet, tend to have a lower rate of fractures, possibly because of the Mediterranean diet’s richness in olive oil.

While olives have great health benefits, they still are high in fat, which should be taken into account for some people’s cardiovascular health. Additionally, most olives are stored in a liquid that contains high amounts of sodium. These two factors combined can be a leading factor in the development of heart disease, so although olives have many benefits, a diet that contains fresh olives is better for your health than olives that are stored in brine.

How to make One Pan Greek Inspired Chicken

Seriously, this dish was so simple! You need the following ingredients to make it:

• chicken breasts
• canned artichoke hearts
• kalamata olives
• roma tomatoes, chopped
• red onion, chopped
• pepperoncini peppers
• gold potatoes, chopped
• olive oil
• salt
• fresh oregano (can substitute dried)

If you are on the Whole30, it will be important to pay attention to the ingredients on the canned artichokes, the olives, and the pepperoncini peppers to be sure that they are not stored with any preservatives that are non-compliant. The brand Divina often has compliant brines, so keep an eye out for that if you are having problems finding pepperoncinis that do not contain sodium bisulfite!

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Add everything to a casserole dish and stir, making sure the olive oil, salt, and oregano are evenly distributed. Place in the oven for 60 minutes, occasionally removing the tray to stir and be sure everything cooks evenly. After removing from the oven, allow the tray to cool for about 10-15 minutes, and then gently cut up the chicken and place back in the tray. Serve when ready!

For the vegan option, simply omit the chicken. Trust me – you’ll have so many delicious flavors happening that no one will even notice that there’s no meat!

That is it! Maybe the easiest recipe that I’ve posted yet! You just have to wait 60 minutes to eat it! 🙂