Description
A quick, one-pan Mediterranean chicken skillet featuring juicy thighs, briny Kalamata olives, tangy feta cheese, and lemon. This flavorful dish is ready in 30 minutes and perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 lemons (1 for juice, 1 for zest)
- ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Crusty baguette or pita for serving
Instructions
- Pat chicken thighs dry and season generously with salt, pepper, and half of the dried oregano.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken thighs in a single layer for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add sliced onions to the same skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and remaining oregano; stir for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up brown bits. Simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Add Kalamata olives and lemon juice to the sauce. Stir well.
- Return chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Nestle chicken into the sauce and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top.
- Cover and simmer for 2-3 minutes until feta softens. Remove from heat.
- Stir in fresh parsley and red pepper flakes. Adjust seasoning if needed and serve immediately with crusty bread.
Notes
Do not skip searing the chicken for better texture. Use fresh feta rather than pre-crumbled for better melting. If the sauce is too salty, rinse olives and use low-sodium broth. Chicken thighs are more forgiving than breasts; if using breasts, pound them thin and watch cooking time closely.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: Mediterranean chicken, one pan dinner, quick weeknight meals, chicken skillet, feta cheese, olives, easy entertaining, gluten-free option