Mediterranean Chicken Stir Fry Recipe: Wholesome 30-Minute Delight Recipe
This Mediterranean Chicken Stir Fry is a vibrant and wholesome dish combining tender chicken breasts with fresh vegetables, Kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and fragrant herbs. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a perfect quick and healthy meal packed with Mediterranean flavors and a touch of tangy lemon and feta cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
For the Stir Fry
- 1 pound Chicken breasts, cut into uniform pieces for even cooking
- 2 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil, use liberally to enhance taste
- 1 medium Zucchini (yellow squash can be substituted)
- 1 large Red bell pepper (any sweet pepper variety can be used)
- 1 medium Red onion (yellow or white onions are suitable substitutes)
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes (canned diced tomatoes are a convenient alternative)
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives (green olives are an alternative)
- 2 cloves Garlic, fresh minced for best flavor
- 1/4 cup Sun-dried tomatoes (use additional fresh tomatoes if unavailable)
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano, essential for authentic flavor
- 1 teaspoon Dried basil (fresh herbs can further elevate the dish)
- 1 teaspoon Dried thyme
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice, added at the end of cooking
- 1/2 cup Feta cheese (omit for a dairy-free option)
- 1/4 cup Fresh parsley, optional garnish
Instructions
- Prep: Start by gathering all your ingredients. Chop the chicken breasts, vegetables, and herbs into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and easy eating.
- Sear Chicken: Heat half of the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and sear them until they turn golden brown and are cooked through, approximately 7-8 minutes. This step seals in the juices and enhances flavor.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil. Incorporate the chopped red onion, minced garlic, zucchini, and red bell peppers. Sauté the vegetables until they become tender yet still vibrant in color, which should take about 3-4 minutes.
- Combine: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and Kalamata olives. Sprinkle in the dried oregano, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper to season. Mix all the ingredients well and allow them to warm through for a couple of minutes, ensuring the flavors meld together.
- Finish: Remove the skillet from heat and immediately drizzle the fresh lemon juice over the stir fry. Then add the crumbled feta cheese. Toss everything gently to combine before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired for added freshness and color.
Notes
- Properly cutting the chicken into uniform pieces helps ensure even cooking throughout.
- Consider batch cooking the vegetables to retain their natural crispness and vibrant colors.
- To make this dish dairy-free, simply omit the feta cheese while maintaining all other flavors.
- Fresh herbs can be used instead of dried for an even more aromatic Mediterranean experience.
- Using fresh lemon juice at the end brightens the dish and balances the richness of the feta and olives.
Keywords: Mediterranean chicken stir fry, healthy chicken recipe, quick chicken dinner, one-pan chicken recipe, feta chicken stir fry, olive chicken dish
