Here’s a delicious and vibrant recipe for Mediterranean Lemon Chicken with Artichokes & Olives—a dish that’s light, flavorful, and easy enough for a weeknight, yet elegant enough for guests. It combines juicy chicken with bright lemon, tender artichokes, and briny olives in a savory Mediterranean-style sauce.
🍋 Mediterranean Lemon Chicken with Artichokes & Olives
🕒 Prep Time: 15 minutes
🍳 Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
🍽️ Serves: 4
✨ Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp paprika (optional)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
- Juice of 1 lemon (plus zest, if desired)
- 1 (14 oz / 400 g) can artichoke hearts, drained and halved
- ⅓ cup Kalamata olives (pitted)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (optional)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley or basil, for garnish
- Lemon slices, for garnish
🔪 Instructions:
1. Season & Sear Chicken
- Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, oregano, and paprika.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken and sear 4–5 minutes per side, until golden brown. Remove and set aside (it doesn’t need to be cooked through yet).
2. Sauté Aromatics
- In the same pan, reduce heat to medium. Add a bit more oil if needed.
- Sauté onions until softened (about 3 minutes), then add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
3. Deglaze & Simmer
- Pour in white wine (or broth) to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits.
- Stir in lemon juice (and zest, if using). Simmer for 1–2 minutes.
4. Add Chicken & Vegetables
- Return chicken to the pan. Add artichoke hearts, olives, and cherry tomatoes (if using).
- Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 15–20 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through (internal temp 165°F / 74°C).
5. Finish & Serve
- Taste and adjust seasoning (add more lemon juice, salt, or pepper if desired).
- Garnish with fresh herbs and lemon slices.
- Serve with couscous, rice, or crusty bread.
🌿 Optional Add-Ons:
- Crumbled feta cheese for topping
- Capers for extra briny flavor
- Spinach stirred in at the end for a boost of greens