Easy Greek Sheet Pan Chicken with Farro and Tzatziki

The hardest part of eating well isn't just knowing what to eat. It's having something ready after a long day of work or a packed day of activities when you're tired, busy, and hungry.

As a Sports Dietitian who's been working with recreational athletes for over a decade, I can tell you that this is one of the most common barriers I hear. People know they should be eating balanced meals. They know fruits and vegetables matter. But knowing and doing are two very different things, especially when the last thing you want to do is cook.

What actually helps isn't some elaborate meal prep system. It's prioritizing your nutrition alongside your training and everything else on your to-do list, and making simple, balanced meals (bonus if you have leftovers for the next day).

This Greek sheet pan chicken dish is one of my favorites for exactly that reason. It comes together in about 30 minutes with maybe 10 minutes of actual effort, it's genuinely delicious, and it checks all the boxes: quality protein, carbs, healthy fats, and vegetables all in one meal. I always make enough for dinner plus lunch the next day or two.

How to Make Greek Sheet Pan Chicken

To make the Greek sheet pan chicken, lay out chicken breasts or thighs on a sheet pan along with sliced peppers, tomatoes, red onion, kalamata olives, and feta. Drizzle with olive oil and your favorite herbs (fresh or dried both work) and season with salt and pepper. Bake at 375°F until cooked through (time will vary depending on cut and thickness).

While the chicken bakes, cook your farro. If you haven't cooked with farro before, it's worth adding to your rotation! It's a great source of complex carbs, fiber, and micronutrients, and it holds up well as leftovers. Any grain works here though, so use what you have.

For tzatziki, combine low or full fat plain greek yogurt, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, grated cucumber (make sure to squeeze out the excess water first), and salt. I do everything to taste. If you're short on time, a store-bought version works great here (Trader Joe's makes a good one).

Serve the chicken and vegetables over farro with tzatziki on top. That's it!

Why This Is A Great Weeknight Meal

A lot of people approach weeknight cooking as an afterthought, or something to figure out when they're already hungry and tired. I've been there many times, staring at my fridge at 5:15pm wondering what on earth I can make for dinner with about 5 minutes to figure it out before my kids get home.

Having some reliable, easy meals in your rotation makes a real difference. It removes the decision fatigue, means you'll actually eat well rather than just hoping you will, and gives you leftovers that make the next day easier too.

The takeaway here is that good food doesn't have to be complicated. It just requires a little planning, and a go-to meal or two in your back pocket. 

Looking for more ideas like this? Check out some of my other blogs for some easy options:

• 11 Easy Breakfast Meal Prep Recipes for Busy Athletes

• 5 Easy Make-Ahead Lunch Recipes for Athletes

• 5 Easy Dinner Ideas for Families On the Go

Don't Want to Turn on the Oven This Summer?

I live in Aptos, where summers are notoriously cool and cloudy. But if you're in a heat wave right now, like I know a lot of the country is, the last thing you want to do is turn on your oven. The good news is there are plenty of delicious and nutritious meals you can throw together without heating up the house.

A couple of my go-to's:

Pasta or grain salads are a great way to get your carbs in alongside protein, healthy fats, and vegetables. Easy to batch cook, and you can switch up the flavors and ingredients so it never gets old.

Balanced snack plates are perfect for when nothing specific sounds appealing but you still need to eat. Load it up with things like fruit, vegetables, dips, crackers, pita bread, and whatever cold proteins you have on hand (deli meat, cheese, nuts, tuna, edamame, etc).

If you'd like some more specific meals to try, here are a few recipes that Fuel for Life Crew members loved and shared this past week:

• Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad

• Lemon Pepper Chicken Breasts

• Greek Salad

Check out more recipes (and share your own) when you join our crew!

Want Customized Nutrition Support?

If you want customized nutrition support to help you fuel your active lifestyle, I offer a variety of virtual nutrition services to support your everyday and athletic performance needs. 

When you join my monthly membership, Fuel for Life Crew, you get direct access to me and a supportive community of other active people like you. You also get access to all of my nutrition resources, live and previously recorded masterclasses, and virtual community where we share recipes, dive into nutrition topics, ask questions, and more! Join for just

$39/month (cancel anytime).

If you're ready to go all-in to transform your nutrition, health, and performance and get more personalized support, 1:1 nutrition coaching is for you. Fill out a new client inquiry form to learn more!