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This plate of Crispy Feta with Lemon Pepper Chicken and Rice is full of flavor, color, and deliciousness. It’s going to become a new favorite. Crispy pan-fried feta cheese paired with spicy garlic chicken, peppers, and severed over rice. When you’re in need of an easy, vibrant, and fresh – yet still totally exciting dinner, make this. Every bite is layered with delicious Middle Eastern inspired flavor. It’s hard to beat crispy feta!
Leave it to me to figure out a way to turn a block of feta cheese into dinner. It’s no secret that I love to use feta in many ways, but this might just be my favorite. It’s crispy, warm, melty, and so delicious. It has fragrant roasted peppers…plus chicken to balance things out.
How this dish really came to fruition is something I could never fully explain. It was 100% created within my head. And while I had no idea what to call the recipe, I’ve been so excited to share it. This really is a new favorite.
So much incredible flavor here, so simple, and just delicious!
Details
While things might seem complicated, I promise I made this as simple as possible. Since the chicken takes the longest to cook, start here. I decided to roast it up with a mix of paprika, cumin, and ginger. All simple Middle Eastern spices.
To that same pan, I added a ton of bell peppers…red, orange, and yellow, then shallots and garlic.
Everything roasts together, creating the most fragrant dish. The chicken and peppers alone are a meal in itself.
But the feta makes everything better! The feta was the real reason for the idea of this whole meal. Basically, I wanted to turn a block of crispy feta cheese into dinner. I also knew I wanted peppers and rice, then I built out the recipe from there.
The feta is actually so simple. You need a block of feta cheese and either cornstarch or arrowroot powder. The cornstarch helps the feta to crisp nicely in the skillet. Use a little olive oil to pan-sear the feta and that’s it. It needs nothing more.
For serving, I whisked up a simple vinaigrette with olive oil, champagne vinegar, honey, chili flakes, salt, and pepper.
And then rice, you really do need rice. Rice, or even orzo, would be good too – but I love rice with this dish. Spoon the chicken and peppers over warm rice, then break the feta over the peppers. Next, take the vinaigrette and pour it over everything, then add lots and lots of fresh herbs…cilantro and dill are my usual mix.
Oh, and we can forget the naan, it’s great for scooping. My ideal meal any night of the week!
Looking for fun dinners? Here are my favorites:
Easy Baked Cheesy Cauliflower Pizzas
One Pot Creamy Penne Alfredo with Spicy Arugula
Turkish Eggs with Chile Butter and Whipped Feta
Lastly, if you make this
Crispy Feta with Lemon Pepper Chicken and Rice be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Crispy Feta with Lemon Pepper Chicken and Rice
Servings: 4
Calories Per Serving: 770 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken tenders
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons cumin seed
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- kosher salt and black pepper
- chili flakes
- 4 bell peppers, sliced I used red, orange, and yellow
- 1-2 fresno peppers, seeded and sliced
- 2 shallots, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 8 ounce feta cheese block, patted dry
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 3/4 cup mixed fresh herbs, cilantro, parsley, and dill
- optional rice for serving
Vinaigrette
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon champagne vinegar
- 2 teaspoons honey
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 425° F. 2. On a baking sheet, toss together the chicken, 3 tablespoons olive oil, paprika, cumin, ginger, and a pinch each of salt, pepper, and chili flakes. Add the bell peppers, fresno, shallots, and garlic and toss with the chicken. Bake 25 minutes, until cooked through. 3. Meanwhile, make the feta. Add the cornstarch to a shallow bowl. Add the block of feta and toss to coat all sides. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the feta and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until golden and crisp. Transfer the feta to a plate.4. To make the vinaigrette, combine all ingredients in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. 5. Serve the chicken and peppers topped with fresh herbs. Break the crispy feta overtop. Pour over the vinaigrette. I'd add rice, then enjoy!
This post was originally published on April 21, 2022
Made this for dinner this week and loved it! I was unsure how the spices on the chicken would pair with the lemon vinaigrette and the feta but it was amazing! Also my peppers must’ve been big because I had so many and didn’t want to crowd one sheet pan too much and prevent them from crisping, so I separated onto two sheet pans which worked well.
Will definitely be adding this into our regular rotation!
Hey Olivia,
Fantastic!! Thanks so much for trying this recipe, I am thrilled to hear that it was enjoyed! xxT
This was sooo good. I did slice thighs up instead of tenders and I forgot to buy Fresno’s so I had to use jalapeño otherwise I followed recipe. My family ate every last bite! Feta was sooo good!
Hey Jen,
Fantastic!! Thanks so much for trying this recipe, I am thrilled to hear that it was enjoyed! xxT
Made this tonight and everyone LOVED it!! So delicious—next time I’ll double the recipe!!
Hey Sheila,
Thanks so much for your feedback! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it! xTieghan
Made this for Sunday dinner and it was a HUGE hit! And that crispy feta?!? To die for! Do yourself a favor and make this! I’m going to double the recipe next time for leftovers.
Hey Lauren,
Thanks so much for your feedback! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it! xTieghan
This was amazing!! We especially loved the crispy feta on top. It reminded me of eating saganaki at my favorite restaurant in Greece. Thank you for another excellent recipe!
Hi Annie,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it!! Have a great week:) xxT
This was definitely a crowd pleaser. My family cleaned their plates! All of the flavours worked so well together. Thanks for yet another recipe to add to our rotation 🙂
Hey Holly,
Happy Sunday!! I love hearing that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for trying it out and sharing your feedback!! xTieghan
Yum! Hadn’t thought of frying feta before. Loved the ‘crunch’ and warmth. Will definately be making this one again!
Hey Megan,
Wonderful!! Thanks a lot for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was a hit! Have a great weekend:) xx
You are my go to place for dinner ideas and recipes! This was delicious! My family and I loved it. My only complaint was my chicken did not look as pretty as yours!!! The taste was AMAZING so I will take it. Thank you!
Hi Cyndi,
Wonderful!! Thanks a lot for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was a hit! Have a great weekend:) xx
I made this dish tonight, it was good. I cooked the peppers, onions, shallots, garlic in a cast iron pan then cooked the chicken. I did have a bit of trouble with the feta sticking to the pan. I served the chicken, peppers and feta with rice on a bed of butter lettuce.
Hey Brenda,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! ?xx
I cooked this dish last night and it’s amazing. The vinaigrette just gives it the extra flavour punch. It’s not difficult and we loved it.
I also followed your naan bread recipe. What a great combo!
Hey Petra,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! ?xx
I wonder why its called Lemon in the recipe when there’s no lemon in the ingredient list?
Hey Vicki,
The lemon is in the vinaigrette:) Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Substitutions for the champagne vinegar??
Hey Christine,
White wine vinegar will also work well for you! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope it turns out amazing! xTieghan
Another HBH winner! Easy to pull together, with delicious flavors all around. Would 100% recommend!
Hi Clare,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a go and sharing your feedback!! I love to hear that it was a winner:) xTieghan
Made this for me and my husband for dinner tonight and we LOVED it. He loved all of the spices and the extra kick from the peppers. The crispy feta was heavenly. It was super easy too! Definitely will be in our rotation. I don’t know what I used to cook before I discovered your recipes 🙂 thank you!
Hey Kara,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a go and sharing your feedback!! I love to hear that it was a winner:) xTieghan
This is hands down one of my favorite HBH meals! So easy and flavorful. Definitely going to be making this again.
Hey Kayla,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a go and sharing your feedback!! I love to hear that it was a winner:) xTieghan