Quick 20-Minute Mediterranean Chicken Recipe with Zesty Homemade Flavors
A quick and easy Mediterranean chicken dish bursting with zesty lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs, perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Juice of 1 large lemon
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/3 cup (50g) Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels and slice each breast in half horizontally if thick. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and dried oregano.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
- Place chicken in the pan without overcrowding. Cook 5-6 minutes on the first side without moving, then flip and cook 4-5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove chicken and tent with foil to rest.
- Lower heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the pan and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add halved cherry tomatoes and cook 3-4 minutes until softened and juices release.
- Pour in lemon juice to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits. Add Kalamata olives and red pepper flakes if using. Simmer for 1-2 minutes.
- Return chicken to the pan, nestle among tomatoes and olives, spoon sauce over top, and cook for another minute to combine flavors.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the pan to ensure a good sear. Use room temperature chicken for even cooking. Pat chicken dry for a crisp crust. Deglaze the pan with lemon juice to capture browned bits. Avoid burning garlic by adding it after chicken is cooked. Let chicken rest under foil to lock in juices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 of the rec
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: Mediterranean chicken, quick chicken recipe, lemon chicken, garlic chicken, healthy chicken dinner, weeknight dinner, easy chicken recipe, zesty chicken