Make this easy Mediterranean chicken with olive oil, garlic, cherry tomatoes, oregano and black olives; a bright, flavorful one-pan dinner ready in about 35 minutes transforming your regular weeknight dinner into a royal experience!
Mediterranean cuisine is celebrated across the world for its use of fresh ingredients and wholesome cooking techniques.
Flavorful olive oil, tomatoes, olives and aromatic herbs are the cornerstones of countless dishes from the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea and dominate the taste buds of foodies across the globe!
Today’s Mediterranean chicken recipe embraces those classic flavors in a quick and easy weeknight dinner that’s both satisfying and nourishing.
We love Mediterranean flavors and hence this Mediterranean chicken is a cult favorite in our home!
What is Mediterranean chicken?
This Mediterranean chicken is a high-protein one pan dinner with succulent cubes of chicken bursting with incredible flavors from olive oil, tomatoes, olives and dry herbs!
Plus a couple of secret ingredients!
This Mediterranean Chicken is proof that simple ingredients can create extraordinarily delicious meals!
Tender chicken breast cubes are cooked in extra virgin olive oil along with juicy cherry tomatoes, black olives, garlic and dried oregano to create a dish that’s light, vibrant and packed with flavors.
Mediterranean cuisine is known for transforming simple ingredients into dishes that are rich in flavor and character.
Now the secret ingredients! Anchovies and white wine!
With the addition of anchovies and dry white wine, there is just another layer of complexity that elevates the dish without making it complicated! This is a must-try!
Ingredients for Mediterranean chicken
Chicken: I used boneless cubes of chicken for this velvety smooth Mediterranean chicken recipe. You may use chicken breasts or boneless chicken thighs cut up into small bite-sized pieces.
All-purpose flour/Maida: We will use flour to coat the chicken pieces very lightly before sautéing as that would give the meat somewhat crunchy exterior and also prevent the meat from turning too tough and rubbery.
Extra-virgin olive oil: For the best Mediterranean chicken, you have to use the best possible extra-virgin olive oil and this is absolutely non-negotiable.
The deep aroma of extra-virgin olive oil helps amalgamate the flavors of all the ingredients and infuse the chicken beautifully making it an unforgettable dish!
Garlic: I can’t imagine any chicken recipe without garlic; so use as much or as little as you like. Grate them into the olive oil to infuse the meat.
Fresh red chilli: You will love the subtle kick from fresh red chillies in this earthy dish. Don’t skip it! In case you don’t have fresh chili handy, you can substitute it with red pepper flakes.
Anchovies: Here comes the secret ingredient that makes this Mediterranean chicken so complex as well as irresistible!
Don’t be alarmed by the anchovies if you’re not typically a fan. As they cook, they melt into the olive oil and garlic, creating a pure umami foundation for the sauce rather than imparting a strong fishy flavor.
Dry white wine: Adding wine to any recipe feels like pure luxury to me and this dish is nothing less than that!
It deglazes the pan, lifting all the flavorful browned bits left behind by the chicken, while adding brightness and subtle acidity to the sauce.
As the wine reduces, it mingles with the juices released by the cherry tomatoes, creating a light yet intensely flavorful sauce that coats every piece of chicken beautifully.
Use a dry wine to avoid extra sweetness in your Mediterranean chicken!
Black Kalamata olives: Adding olives is the most Mediterranean thing that you must not skip in your Mediterranean chicken!
They add little bursts of salty flavor throughout, balancing the natural sweetness of the tomatoes and the richness of the olive oil.
Cherry tomatoes: Use a handful of juicy cherry tomatoes to add that tangy sweetness to your classic Mediterranean chicken!
Dried oregano: This is the classic herb that ties everything together.
Its earthy and slightly peppery notes complement the sweetness of the tomatoes and the briny richness of the olives, giving the dish its unmistakable Mediterranean identity!
Salt and pepper: Season your Mediterranean chicken with salt and pepper to taste.
How to make Mediterranean chicken?
Step 1: Wash and cut the chicken breasts into bite size pieces and spread them out on a baking sheet without touching each other.
Step 2: Sprinkle salt & pepper, dried oregano and all-purpose flour over them and give them a good massage to coat each piece well on all sides.
Step 3: Once well coated, spread out the coated chicken pieces again on the baking sheet without touching one another and allow them to sit for 10-15 minutes.
Step 4: While the chicken is soaking up the seasoning, cut the cherry tomatoes and olives in half. Slice the garlic cloves thinly. Set them aside.
Step 5: Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, reduce the heat, add the olive oil and let it warm up nicely.
Step 6: Once the oil is warmed, add the seasoned chicken pieces to the pan spreading them over in a single layer so that they cook evenly.
Step 7: Sauté the chicken over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes; then flip them over and sauté the other sides for another 3 to 4 minutes until they turn golden brown on all sides.
Step 8: Take the sautéed chicken out on a plate and set aside. Your pan should have enough oil left to continue cooking the remaining ingredients.
Step 9: Add the sliced fresh chili, sliced garlic and anchovies to the pan and saute them for 30 seconds; also gently break the anchovies using a wooden spoon.
Step 10: After about a minute, add the olives and cherry tomatoes. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the tomatoes become soft and mushy. .
Step 11: Next add the dry white wine to deglaze the pan and bring it to a simmer. Give a good stir.
Step 12: Add the cooked chicken back to the pan and give everything a good mix.
Step 13: After about a minute, switch off the flame and remove the pan from heat. Your flavorful Mediterranean chicken is done!
Step 14: Allow it to rest in the pan for 2-3 minutes before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions of Mediterranean chicken
What makes this Mediterranean Chicken particularly appealing is its versatility. It pairs beautifully with rice, couscous, mashed potatoes or even a simple pasta.
A slice of crusty bread is equally appetizing, allowing you to soak up every last drop of the flavorful wine-infused sauce.
Despite its sophisticated flavor profile, this is very much a weeknight-friendly recipe that comes together in under an hour.
It’s a wonderful example of how a handful of pantry staples can come together to produce a meal that’s far greater than the sum of its parts.
Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight dinner or entertaining guests on the weekend, this Mediterranean Chicken delivers vibrant flavors and rustic charm in every bite. Enjoy!
More delicious chicken recipes from Flavor Quotient
- Chicken breasts - 500 gms (about 3 large)
- All-purpose flour/Maida - 1 tbsp
- Extra-virgin olive oil - ¼ cup
- Dried oregano - 1 tbsp
- Garlic - 8 to 9 cloves
- Fresh red chilli - 1, sliced
- Anchovies - 3 to 4
- Dry white wine - ¾ cup
- Black Kalamata olives - 20, pitted
- Cherry tomatoes - 20
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Wash and cut the chicken breasts into bite size pieces and spread them out on a baking sheet without touching each other.
- Sprinkle salt & pepper, dried oregano and all-purpose flour over them and give them a good massage to coat each piece well on all sides.
- Once well coated, spread out the coated chicken pieces again on the baking sheet without touching one another and allow them to sit for 10-15 minutes.
- While the chicken is soaking up the seasoning, cut the cherry tomatoes and olives in half. Slice the garlic cloves thinly. Set them aside.
- Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, reduce the heat, add the olive oil and let it warm up nicely.
- Once the oil is warmed, add the seasoned chicken pieces to the pan spreading them over in a single layer so that they cook evenly.
- Sauté the chicken over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes; then flip them over and sauté the other sides for another 3 to 4 minutes until they turn golden brown on all sides.
- Take the sautéed chicken out on a plate and set aside. Your pan should have enough oil left to continue cooking the remaining ingredients.
- Add the sliced fresh chili, sliced garlic and anchovies to the pan and saute them for 30 seconds; also gently break the anchovies using a wooden spoon.
- After about a minute, add the olives and cherry tomatoes. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the tomatoes become soft and mushy. .
- Next add the dry white wine to deglaze the pan and bring it to a simmer. Give a good stir.
- Add the cooked chicken back to the pan and give everything a good mix.
- After about a minute, switch off the flame and remove the pan from heat. Your flavorful Mediterranean chicken is done!
- Allow it to rest in the pan for 2-3 minutes before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and enjoy!
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