Juicy, golden chicken cooked with cherry tomatoes, red onion, garlic, green olives, fresh parsley, and Mediterranean herbs. It’s a flavorful one-pan dinner that can be ready in about 30 minutes. Similar Mediterranean chicken skillet recipes commonly use chicken, tomatoes, olives, garlic, herbs, olive oil, and lemon.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium red onion, chopped
- 4–5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/3 cup green or Kalamata olives
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/3 cup chicken broth
- Optional: 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Pat chicken dry. Rub with 1 tbsp olive oil, oregano, paprika, thyme, black pepper, and salt.
- Sear: Heat the remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for about 5–6 minutes per side, until nicely browned.
- Add garlic & onion: Lower heat to medium. Add chopped onion and garlic and sauté for 2–3 minutes.
- Add vegetables: Add cherry tomatoes and olives. Cook for another 3–4 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to soften and release their juices.
- Make it juicy: Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice. Stir gently and scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Finish cooking: Return/keep the chicken in the skillet and simmer for 3–5 minutes, until the thickest part reaches 165°F / 74°C.
- Garnish: Turn off the heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Add feta if desired.
- Serve: Spoon the flavorful tomato-olive juices over the chicken and serve hot.
Quick Info
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20–25 minutes
Total: About 30–35 minutes
Servings: 4
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Method: One skillet
Nutrition Info — Approx. per serving
- Calories: 370–420 kcal
- Protein: 40–45 g
- Carbohydrates: 8–12 g
- Fat: 17–20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3–5 g
- Fiber: 2–3 g
- Sugar: 4–5 g
- Sodium: ~500–700 mg
Nutrition varies depending on the chicken cut, amount of olive oil, olives, and whether feta is added. Comparable Mediterranean chicken recipes fall in a similar range, with roughly 370–414 calories and 40–50 g protein per serving.
Q&A
Q: Can I use chicken thighs?
A: Yes! Boneless, skinless thighs work very well and stay juicy.
Q: Can I make this without olives?
A: Absolutely. You can replace them with capers or simply add extra tomatoes.
Q: Can I use canned tomatoes?
A: Yes. Use about 1 cup drained or lightly crushed canned tomatoes.
Q: Can I make it dairy-free?
A: Yes. Simply leave out the feta.
Q: What should I serve with it?
A: Serve with a fresh salad, roasted vegetables, couscous, quinoa, rice, or crusty whole-grain bread.
Q: How do I store leftovers?
A: Refrigerate in an airtight container for 3–4 days and reheat thoroughly.
Q: Is this low-carb?
A: Yes, especially when served without bread, rice, or pasta.