This one-skillet Mediterranean chicken recipe is the perfect weeknight dinner. It takes very little prep and only 15 minutes to cook! It's healthy, bright, and packed with fresh Mediterranean flavors. Be sure to check out the tips and video tutorial below!
Today's Mediterranean chicken recipe came together very much on a whim. I just happened to have all the ingredients on hand. The flavor inspiration here is Greek, featuring classics like garlic, lemon juice, tomatoes, olives and feta.
This is one chicken breast recipe that you can certainly tweak to your liking. Add a handful of spinach, for example; switch out the olives for capers; or omit the feta cheese, if you don't have it. Adding fresh parsley toward the end gives this Mediterranean chicken recipe just a little more brightness.
I don't know about you, but to me, an easy and adaptable recipe that doesn't require a special shopping trip is definite win!
What you need to do
(here's the step-by-step with photos, but be sure to check out the video just before the recipe below)
1. To make this Mediterranean chicken recipe, we start with 4 boneless chicken breasts that have been patted dry. I like to make a few slits through on each side of the chicken breasts to house the fresh garlic and spices (this ensures better flavor).
Spread the garlic on both sides; insert some garlic into the slits you made. Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt, pepper and ½ of the dried oregano.
2- Now, in a large cast iron skillet, we brown the chicken breasts on both sides (I use a little extra virgin olive oil here that's been heated until shimmering but not smoking).
3- Time to give the chicken a little sauce. First white wine, which we reduce a bit. Then lemon juice and chicken broth. A dash more oregano.
Reduce the heat to medium. Cover with a lid or tightly with foil and let the chicken cook in the yummy sauce for 10 to 15 minutes, turning over once. (Chicken is cooked through when internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F).
4- My favorite part...adding all the beautiful Mediterranean toppings. First tomatoes and onions go right in (on top of the chicken breasts). Cover and let them cook 3 minutes or so, just to soften a bit. Then drop in fresh parsley and feta cheese and remove from heat. Serve with your favorite pasta, rice or grain of choice.
Tips and Make Ahead Instructions
1. This Mediterranean chicken recipe calls for 4 boneless chicken breasts. If you're working with larger, thicker breasts, you might get away with using only 2 breasts and splitting them into thinner cutlets. To do so, place the chicken breast flat on a cutting board. Place one hand on top to hold the breast. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice the chicken breast horizontally into two even pieces. It helps if you do this close to the edge of the cutting board.
2. This is a quick recipe, but if you want to prepare it one night in advance, you can. You'll want to fully cook the chicken breasts in the skillet, but do not add the toppings of tomatoes red onions etc. The next day, when you are ready to serve, bring chicken to room temperature. Then warm it up in the skillet and add the toppings according to the recipe.
Watch the Quick Video for How to Make this Mediterranean Chicken Recipe
One-Skillet Mediterranean Chicken Recipe with Tomatoes and Green Olives
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Easy Mediterranean Chicken Recipe that requires little prep, one skillet, and 15 minutes to cook! Plus, it's loaded with favorite Mediterranean flavors.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts of equal size
- 2 tbsp minced garlic or garlic paste
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tbsp dried oregano, divided
- Private Reserve extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 1 large lemon, juice of
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1 ½ cup small-diced tomatoes
- ¼ cup sliced green olives
- Handful of fresh parsley, stems removed, chopped
- Crumbled feta cheese, optional
Instructions
- Pat the chicken breasts dry. On each side of the chicken breasts make three slits through.
- Spread the garlic on both sides; insert some garlic into the slits you made. Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt, pepper and ½ of the dried oregano.
- In a large cast iron skillet, heat 2 tablespoon of olive oil on medium-high. Brown the chicken on both sides. Add the white wine and let reduce by ½ then add the lemon juice and chicken broth. Sprinkle the remaining oregano on top. Reduce the heat to medium. Cover with a lid or tightly with foil. Cook for 10-15 mins turning the chicken over once (chicken's internal temperature should reach 165 degrees F.)
- Uncover and top with the chopped onions, tomatoes and olives. Cover again and cook for only 3 minutes. Finally add the parsley and feta cheese. Serve with a light pasta, rice or couscous. Enjoy
Notes
- Pro-Tip: If you're working with larger and thicker boneless chicken breasts, you might be okay using only two breasts and splitting them into cutlets. To do so, place the chicken breast flat on a cutting board. Place one hand on top to hold the breast. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice the chicken breast horizontally into two even pieces. It helps if you do this close to the edge of the cutting board.
- Make Ahead: If you want to make this recipe one night ahead, fully cook the chicken breasts in the skillet, but do not add the toppings of tomatoes red onions etc. The next day, when you are ready to serve, bring chicken to room temperature. Then warm it up in the skillet and add the toppings according to the recipe.
- Recommended for this Recipe: our Private Reserve Greek extra virgin olive oil (from organically grown and processed Koroneiki olives). SAVE! Try our Greek EVOO Bundle
- Visit The Mediterranean Dish store for all-natural and organic Mediterranean spices, olive oils and more!
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Entree
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: Mediterranean Chicken Recipe
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Healthy, quick and easy. What more can you ask!
This was delicious. Served it with white rice. The kids enjoyed it as well.
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This was delicious. So easy to make. It will definitely be something I will make again. Thanks for sharing it.
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Delicious !!!
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This was so easy and very tasty! I used white onions because thats what I had and it was very good.
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Thus recipe was tasty, filling, and healthy. I served it over some red quinoa. Yumny!
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So glad you enjoyed it, Betsy!
I always use your recipes, and they never fail! Always a hit with my family! Thank you sooo much for putting them up.
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Thank you for following us, Sally! I'm glad to hear your family enjoys the recipes!
So good...just finished dinner and its a keeper! I added artichoke hearts and a mix of green and Kalmata olives. You never know if a new recipe will be a hit or a dud and this is a major HIT!
Yay!! Thanks you, Keri!
What can I use in place of wine? We don't drink wine or or have any on hand.
Hi, Nikki! You can omit the wine and just add a little more broth.
I made this for dinner tonight and it is absolutely delicious! I added a bit of spinach that I had in the fridge to the dish and it was great. After eating, I immediately sent the recipe to my daughter as I know that she would love it. I am so going to make this for our friends for dinner when they come over. This recipe is a definite keeper!!
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Awesome! Thanks, Kimberly!
This is delicious and easy. We substitute red wine.
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Thanks for sharing, Kathy!
Hi Suzy, can you tell me the approximate weight of each chicken breast you used to come up with the calorie count and the protein count? I've been trying to lose some weight and would love to keep this recipe on my regular rotation.
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Hi, Gina. We use a nutrition calculator that provides this information based on the ingredient list we input. It is just an estimate based on 2 average sized chicken breasts.
This recipe was quick, easy, and amazing.
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This was delicious! We thoroughly enjoyed every bite. This will go in my dinner rotation fir sure! Thank you for sharing.
Yay! Thanks, Marianne!
We LOVED the flavors and quick prep/cook time! The only thing I changed was using Kalamata Olives instead of Green. This will be going into our "regular" meals! Thank you!!
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That is great to hear!! Thanks, Sharon!
That looks so good!
Wow, what a versatile recipe! I was able to take these basics (along with recommendations from other comments) and really create an amazing dish that will be in our regular rotation!
I used six boneless, skinless chicken thighs in an oven-safe skillet. I followed the recipe for slitting the chicken and adding the minced garlic, s&p, and oregano, and browned in the pan. Then after adding the wine (I used Sauvignon Blanc) and chicken broth to deglaze the pan, I added some of the diced onion and diced baby portobello mushrooms. At that point I put the skillet in the oven for 10 min.
After returning the skillet to the stovetop, I added capers (not a fan of olives), chopped marinated artichoke hearts (and some oil from the jar), diced Roma tomatoes, and the rest of the chopped red onion. Then topped with red pepper flakes, fresh spinach and feta cheese! Served with glasses of Sauv Blanc and brown rice to soak up the sauce... omg. So good. It was amazing!!!
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Sounds wonderful, Betsy! YUM!