Mediterranean Chicken Recipe: One-Skillet Meal with Vibrant Flavors

Welcome to a truly delightful Mediterranean chicken recipe that brings vibrant flavors to your table with incredible ease! This one-skillet wonder means quick prep and less than 30 minutes of cooking. Expect bold, fresh, garlicky, and briny notes in every bite. It’s the perfect easy weeknight meal, promising delicious results with minimal cleanup.

Why You’ll Love This Mediterranean Chicken Recipe

• Quick & Easy: This Mediterranean chicken recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, getting dinner on the table in a flash.
• One-Skillet Wonder: Everything cooks in one pan, simplifying both the cooking process and your post-dinner cleanup.
• Bursting with Flavor: Enjoy aromatic garlic, fresh herbs, tangy lemon, and briny olives in every bite.
• Healthy & Wholesome: It combines lean protein with fresh, nutritious vegetables, making it a meal you can feel good about.

The Mediterranean diet has been shown to offer numerous health benefits, including a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases. For more information, you can consult this resource on the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet.

• Incredibly Versatile: Easily adapt this dish to suit different tastes or dietary preferences.
• Impressive Yet Simple: It tastes gourmet and looks fantastic, yet requires minimal effort to prepare.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create this flavorful Mediterranean chicken recipe:

• Chicken: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Aromatics: 2 tablespoons minced garlic or garlic paste, 1 medium red onion, finely chopped
• Herbs & Spices: Kosher salt, black pepper, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, divided, handful of fresh parsley, stems removed, leaves chopped
• Fats & Liquids: 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, ½ cup dry white wine, ½ cup chicken broth, 1 large lemon, juiced
• Vegetables: 4 small tomatoes, diced, about 1½ cups
• Briny Elements: ¼ cup sliced green olives
• Optional Topping: Crumbled feta cheese

Notes & Substitutions

For this Mediterranean chicken recipe, boneless, skinless chicken breasts cook quickly and are a lean option. You can use chicken thighs for a richer flavor and even more tender results, though they may require a few extra minutes of cooking. Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil; its flavor is prominent here. If you prefer not to use dry white wine, an equal amount of chicken stock or vegetable broth works perfectly to deglaze the pan. Fresh tomatoes are ideal, but you can substitute them with a 15-ounce can of diced tomatoes, drained well. Feel free to swap green olives for Kalamata olives, capers, or even chopped preserved lemon for a different briny kick. To make this dish dairy-free, simply omit the crumbled feta cheese.

Equipment

Gather these simple kitchen tools before you begin cooking:

• Large cast iron skillet
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Measuring spoons and cups
• Instant-read meat thermometer
• Lid or foil for skillet

Instructions

Follow these simple steps to prepare your delicious Mediterranean chicken recipe:

1. Prep the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Make three shallow slits on each side of each chicken breast. This helps the flavors penetrate deeply.
2. Season chicken: Rub the minced garlic generously on both sides of the chicken, pushing some into the slits you made. Season both sides of the chicken breasts with kosher salt, black pepper, and half of the dried oregano (½ tablespoon).
3. Sear chicken: In your large cast iron skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts in the hot skillet. Sear the chicken for about 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.
4. Deglaze & Reduce: Once the chicken is seared, add the dry white wine to the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the wine reduce by half, which concentrates its flavor and creates a delicious base for your sauce.
5. Braise chicken: Pour in the lemon juice and chicken broth. Sprinkle the remaining ½ tablespoon of dried oregano over the chicken and liquid. Turn the heat down to medium.
6. Cover & cook: Cover the skillet tightly with a lid or aluminum foil. Cook for about 5 to 6 minutes on one side.
7. Check temperature: Flip the chicken breasts over and cook for an additional 5 to 6 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) using an instant-read meat thermometer.

The USDA recommends cooking all poultry to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F (73.9°C) to ensure food safety. You can find more information about safe cooking temperatures for chicken on the USDA website.

This ensures juicy, perfectly cooked chicken.

8. Add vegetables: Uncover the skillet. Arrange the chopped red onions, diced tomatoes, and sliced green olives on top of and around the chicken.
9. Finish cooking: Cover the skillet again and cook for another 3 minutes. This allows the vegetables to soften slightly and meld their flavors with the sauce.
10. Garnish & serve: Remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley and a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese, if you are using it. Serve your delightful Mediterranean chicken recipe immediately and enjoy!

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

• Perfectly Seared Chicken: Ensure your skillet is hot before adding the chicken to get that beautiful golden-brown crust.
• Don’t Overcrowd: If your skillet is too small, cook the chicken in two batches to ensure proper searing and even cooking.
• Moist Chicken: Always use an instant-read meat thermometer. Remove the chicken from the heat as soon as it reaches 165°F to prevent overcooking and keep it juicy.
• Flavor Boost: Don’t skip deglazing the pan with wine (or broth). This step captures all the flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
• Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce before serving and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. A squeeze of extra lemon can also brighten the flavors.
• Slits for Flavor: The shallow slits in the chicken breasts are key! They help the garlic and seasonings penetrate deeper, infusing every bite with flavor.

Serving, Storage, and Variations

This versatile Mediterranean chicken recipe pairs wonderfully with many sides.

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve over fluffy rice, pasta like orzo, or light couscous to soak up the delicious sauce.
• Enjoy with a side of warm, crusty bread, such as focaccia or pita, perfect for dipping.
• Complement the meal with a crisp, fresh salad, like a simple Greek green bean salad.
• Add roasted vegetables, such as Italian oven roasted vegetables, for extra goodness.

Storage:

• Store any leftover Mediterranean chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through.

Variations:

• Different Proteins: Instead of breasts, use bone-in or boneless chicken thighs for a richer flavor.
• Extra Veggies: Stir in some fresh spinach, artichoke hearts, or sliced bell peppers during the last few minutes of cooking.
• Herb Swap: Experiment with fresh dill, mint, or thyme for a different aromatic profile.
• Spicier Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the oregano for a hint of heat.

Nutrition Information

This Mediterranean chicken recipe is a nutritious and satisfying meal.

Approximate values per serving (based on 4 servings):

This dish also provides good amounts of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium, and Iron. Please remember that these are approximate values, and precise nutritional content can vary based on specific ingredients and brands used. We recommend calculating values with your exact ingredients for the most accurate information.

FAQ

• Can I use bone-in chicken? Yes, you can use bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces. Just adjust the cooking time, as they will take longer to reach 165°F.
• What kind of white wine works best? A dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Chardonnay, is ideal for this recipe.
• Can I make this dairy-free? Absolutely! This delicious Mediterranean chicken recipe is easily made dairy-free by simply omitting the crumbled feta cheese topping.
• How do I prevent the chicken from drying out? The best way is to use an instant-read meat thermometer and remove the chicken from the heat as soon as it reaches 165°F.
• Can I prep this recipe ahead of time? Yes, you can pat the chicken dry, make the slits, and season it with garlic, salt, pepper, and oregano in advance. You can also chop all your vegetables ahead of time.
• Is this recipe freezer-friendly? The cooked chicken and sauce can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months. The vegetables, especially the tomatoes, may become softer upon thawing.

Conclusion

This Mediterranean chicken recipe truly delivers on its promise of an easy, flavorful, one-skillet meal. It’s incredibly quick to prepare, vibrant with fresh ingredients, and perfect for any busy weeknight. We hope you love how simple it is to create such a healthy and satisfying dish for your family. Give this versatile meal a try, and don’t forget to share your experience with us! Explore more delightful recipes for simple and time-saving cooking.

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