Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts), trimmed
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved or left whole
- 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano, divided
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat the chicken pieces dry and season them liberally with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of the dried oregano.
- Step 2: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until nicely browned; remove the chicken and set it aside.
- Step 3: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, remaining oregano, and olives to the skillet. Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to soften and burst.
- Step 4: Return the chicken to the skillet. Pour the fresh lemon juice and about 1/4 cup of water or chicken broth over the ingredients, ensuring the liquid is scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Step 5: Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 10–12 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through (165°F internal temperature).
- Step 6: Serve the Mediterranean chicken immediately, spooning the tomato and olive sauce generously over the top.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; the Mediterranean flavors actually deepen the next day.
- To reheat, use a covered skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water to keep the sauce moist and prevent the chicken from drying out.
- This flavorful dish is perfect served over fluffy couscous or alongside crusty bread to soak up all the delicious lemon-tomato-olive pan sauce.
- For maximum flavor, ensure you scrape up the browned bits (the "fond") from the bottom of the pan when you add the liquid in Step 4—that's where all the savory depth hides.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American