Zesty Mediterranean Chicken with Feta and Olives Recipe

Mediterranean chicken emerges as a culinary treasure that whisks you away to sun-drenched coastal landscapes with its vibrant flavors and aromatic herbs.

Robust spices dance across tender meat, creating a symphony of taste that captures the essence of regional cooking traditions.

Fragrant ingredients blend seamlessly, elevateing simple proteins into a luxurious dining experience that feels both rustic and elegant.

Bright, zesty elements elevate this dish beyond ordinary meal preparations, infusing each bite with complex Mediterranean character.

Tender chicken becomes a canvas for bold, fresh seasonings that awaken your palate with incredible depth and richness.

Tangy notes intermingle with earthy undertones, promising a meal that satisfies deeply and transports you to warm, welcoming kitchens along azure coastlines.

Fresh ingredients work their magic, turning an everyday protein into a celebration of Mediterranean culinary artistry.

Flavor Notes of Mediterranean Chicken with Feta and Olives

• Savor Flavor-Packed Mediterranean Delight: This recipe bursts with vibrant Greek-inspired tastes that transport your taste buds to sunny coastal landscapes, combining tangy feta, briny olives, and richly marinated chicken.
• Master Quick and Elegant Cooking: The method cleverly combines stovetop searing and oven baking, creating a restaurant-quality dish in under an hour with minimal complicated techniques, perfect for home cooks seeking impressive results.
• Enjoy Versatile Meal Solution: Whether you're preparing a weeknight dinner or hosting a casual dinner party, this chicken dish adapts beautifully to different occasions, pleasing both family members and guests with its complex yet approachable flavor profile.
• Experience Texture-Rich Culinary Experience: The recipe delivers multiple textures- crispy chicken exterior, tender meat interior, creamy feta, and juicy roasted tomatoes- making every bite interesting and satisfying.

Shopping List for Mediterranean Chicken Night

• Chicken Breasts: Lean, high-protein foundation of the dish with tender meat for a satisfying meal.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing the chicken's natural flavors and creating depth.
• Greek Salad Dressing: Zesty marinade that infuses the chicken with Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Olive Oil: Adds a fruity note and helps with even cooking and browning.

• White Wine: Provides subtle acidity and helps deglaze the pan for rich sauce development.
• Garlic: Pungent and aromatic ingredient key to Mediterranean culinary tradition.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps blend and carry other flavor components.
• Chicken Broth: Creates a luscious sauce base with depth and moisture.
• Honey: Balances savory elements with a gentle sweetness.
• Mustard Powder: Contributes a subtle spicy undertone and complexity.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Brings umami depth and rounds out the sauce flavor.

• Feta Cheese, Olives: Creamy, tangy cheese and briny olives that provide authentic Mediterranean character.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Juicy, sweet component that adds brightness and color to the dish.

Cooking Instructions for Chicken with Olives and Feta

Step 1: Prepare Oven

Crank up the oven to a sizzling 425°F. This high heat will transform your chicken into a golden masterpiece.

Step 2: Slice And Flatten Chicken

• Chicken breasts
• Plastic wrap

Slice each chicken breast lengthwise and gently pound between plastic wrap sheets until uniformly thin. This trick ensures every bite is tender and juicy.

Step 3: Infuse With Flavor

• Greek salad dressing
• Salt
• Black pepper

Massage chicken with salt and pepper, then bathe in Greek dressing. Let it rest and soak up delicious flavors for 20 minutes at room temperature.

Step 4: Sear To Perfection

• Olive oil

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken until each side turns a gorgeous golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Set chicken aside.

Step 5: Create Magical Sauce

• Dry white wine
• Garlic
• Butter
• Additional Greek dressing
• Chicken broth
• Honey
• Mustard powder
• Worcestershire sauce

Deglaze skillet with wine, scraping up those delicious browned bits. Add remaining ingredients and simmer until sauce thickens slightly.

Step 6: Assemble And Bake

• Feta cheese
• Cherry tomatoes
• Kalamata olives

Return chicken to sauce. Sprinkle crumbled feta, scatter tomatoes and olives around. Bake for 12 minutes until chicken is completely cooked through.

Step 7: Serve And Enjoy

Plate your Mediterranean masterpiece and savor the explosion of flavors. Bon appétit!

Expert Cooking Tips for Mediterranean Chicken

• Maximize Flavor Absorption: Pound chicken to an even thickness to ensure uniform marination and prevent dry edges during cooking.
• Deglaze with Precision: Scrape up those golden-brown bits when adding wine to capture the skillet's concentrated flavor foundations.
• Balance Sauce Consistency: Simmer sauce until it slightly thickens, creating a rich coating that clings perfectly to the chicken without becoming too heavy.
• Strategic Cheese Placement: Sprinkle Feta just before baking to prevent burning and maintain its creamy, tangy texture.
• Temperature Control Matters: Use an instant-read thermometer to check chicken's internal temperature reaches 165°F, guaranteeing safe and juicy results.

Store and Reheat This Chicken Dish the Right Way

• Refrigerate: Store leftover Mediterranean chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freeze: Carefully transfer cooled chicken to a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen chicken maintains quality for 2-3 months.
• Reheat: Warm refrigerated chicken in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying. Alternatively, use the microwave on 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and maintain moisture.

Side Dishes to Pair with Mediterranean Chicken

• Elevate with Crisp White Wine: Pair this Mediterranean chicken with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. Their bright, citrusy notes will beautifully complement the tangy feta and briny olives, cutting through the richness of the dish.
• Serve with Herbed Couscous: Create a perfect side by tossing light, fluffy couscous with fresh parsley, mint, and a drizzle of olive oil. This traditional Mediterranean grain will soak up the delicious sauce and provide a delightful textural contrast.
• Cool Greek Salad Companion: Add a refreshing Greek salad with cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette. The crisp vegetables and acidic dressing will balance the warm, savory chicken and provide a light, fresh element to the meal.
• Rustic Bread for Sauce Soaking: Offer warm, crusty artisan bread or pita to soak up the incredible wine and herb-infused sauce. This will ensure no drop of flavor goes to waste and provide a satisfying, rustic eating experience.

How to Switch Up Mediterranean Chicken Style

• Herb Fusion Chicken: Replace Greek salad dressing with a blend of fresh rosemary, thyme, and oregano mixed with olive oil for an aromatic Mediterranean herbaceous profile.
• Spicy Mediterranean Upgrade: Add red pepper flakes and smoked paprika to the marinade, creating a bold and fiery version that intensifies the chicken's flavor complexity.
• Vegetarian Mediterranean Swap: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or portobello mushrooms, maintaining the original sauce and garnish while offering a plant-based alternative that captures the same vibrant Mediterranean essence.
• Citrus-Infused Variation: Incorporate fresh lemon zest and orange juice into the marinade, adding bright, tangy notes that complement the feta and olives while enhancing the chicken's overall brightness.

Mediterranean Chicken with Feta and Olives Recipe

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4.8 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mediterranean chicken with feta and olives brings robust Greek island flavors to dinner tables. Succulent chicken breasts dance with salty feta, tangy olives, and aromatic herbs, inviting you to savor Mediterranean warmth on a plate.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• ⅓ cup feta cheese, crumbled

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• ½ cup mixed olives (black, green, and kalamata)

Liquid and Seasoning Components:

• ½ cup + ⅓ cup Greek salad dressing
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ⅓ cup dry white wine
• ⅓ cup chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons honey
• ½ teaspoon mustard powder
• ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to a high temperature of 425°F (220°C) to ensure a perfect roasted texture for the chicken.
2. Butterfly the chicken breasts by slicing them horizontally, creating thinner, more uniform fillets. Gently pound between plastic wrap to achieve an even ½-inch thickness, promoting consistent cooking and maintaining moisture.
3. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then immerse in Greek salad dressing within a sealed container. Let the fillets absorb the marinade at ambient temperature for 20 minutes, allowing deep flavor penetration.
4. Warm olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place marinated chicken fillets and sear until a golden-brown crust forms, approximately 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer the seared chicken to a temporary plate.
5. Deglaze the skillet with dry white wine, using a wooden spoon to scrape up the caramelized remnants. Reduce the wine by half, then incorporate minced garlic and butter, stirring until the garlic releases its aromatic essence.
6. Introduce additional Greek dressing, chicken broth, honey, mustard powder, and Worcestershire sauce to the skillet. Simmer the mixture, allowing it to thicken and develop a rich, complex flavor profile.
7. If the skillet is not oven-safe, transfer the sauce to a baking dish. Nestle the seared chicken into the sauce, generously sprinkle crumbled Feta cheese over the top, and distribute cherry tomatoes and olives around the chicken.
8. Slide the prepared dish into the preheated oven and bake for 12 minutes, or until the chicken reaches complete doneness and the cheese melts into a golden, bubbling layer.

Notes

• Marinating transforms bland chicken into a flavor-packed Mediterranean delight by infusing Greek dressing’s tangy essence directly into the meat.
• Searing creates a golden-brown crust that locks in moisture and develops rich caramelized notes, ensuring each bite remains succulent and tender.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 28g
• Cholesterol: 75mg