Mediterranean Chicken Stir Fry Recipe

Introduction

This Mediterranean Chicken Stir Fry is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken with fresh vegetables and classic Mediterranean ingredients. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal, it’s both healthy and satisfying with a bright, zesty finish.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs chicken breasts, boneless & skinless (cut into bite-sized pieces)
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (divided for cooking)
• Salt & black pepper (to taste)
• 2 medium zucchini (sliced into half-moons)
• 2 red bell peppers (diced into chunks)
• 1 large red onion (sliced into strips)
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 cup Kalamata olives (pitted and halved)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 lemon (juice only)
• 0.5 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley (optional garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prep all ingredients by chopping the chicken, slicing the zucchini and onion, dicing the bell peppers, halving the cherry tomatoes, pitting and halving the olives, mincing the garlic, and chopping the sun-dried tomatoes.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and sear until golden and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté the sliced red onion and minced garlic for about 2 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
4. Step 4: Add the zucchini slices, diced red bell peppers, and sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender-crisp, about 5 minutes.
5. Step 5: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir in the cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, dried oregano, basil, and thyme. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed and toss everything together to combine evenly.
6. Step 6: Remove the skillet from heat and drizzle the lemon juice over the stir fry. Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese on top and garnish with fresh parsley if using. Serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh herbs like oregano or basil instead of dried for a brighter flavor.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.
• Swap chicken breasts for thighs for a juicier texture.
• Serve over cooked quinoa or couscous for a complete meal.
• For a vegetarian version, replace chicken with chickpeas or tofu.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through to keep the chicken tender and vegetables fresh. Feta can be added fresh after reheating if desired.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Yes, but make sure to fully thaw the chicken before cooking to ensure even cooking and a good sear.

What can I substitute for Kalamata olives if I don’t have them?

You can use green olives or black olives as a substitute, though the flavor will be slightly different. Capers can also add a nice briny touch.

Mediterranean Chicken Stir Fry Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 133 reviews

This Mediterranean Chicken Stir Fry is a vibrant and healthy dish featuring tender chicken breast pieces sautéed with colorful vegetables, kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and fragrant Mediterranean herbs. Finished with fresh lemon juice and crumbled feta cheese, it’s a delightful, quick-to-make meal bursting with flavors.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

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Chicken & Seasoning

• 1.5 lbs Chicken breasts, boneless & skinless (cut into bite-sized pieces)
• 3 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil (divided for cooking)
• Salt & black pepper (to taste)

Vegetables & Add-ins

• 2 medium Zucchini (sliced into half-moons)
• 2 Red bell peppers (diced into chunks)
• 1 large Red onion (sliced into strips)
• 2 cups Cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 cup Kalamata olives (pitted and halved)
• 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1/4 cup Sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)

Herbs & Garnish

• 2 tsp Dried oregano
• 1 tsp Dried basil
• 1/2 tsp Dried thyme
• 1 Lemon (juice only)
• 0.5 cup Feta cheese (crumbled)
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley (optional garnish)

Instructions

1. Prep Ingredients: Wash, chop, and prepare all vegetables and chicken as described – slice zucchinis, dice bell peppers, slice red onion, halve cherry tomatoes and kalamata olives, mince garlic, and chop sun-dried tomatoes. This ensures everything is ready to go before cooking.
2. Sear Chicken: Heat half of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt and black pepper, then add them to the skillet. Sear and cook the chicken until golden brown and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil. Add sliced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and softened, about 2 minutes. Then add the zucchini, red bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender but still vibrant, about 5 minutes.
4. Combine Chicken and Vegetables: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, and season with additional salt and black pepper to taste. Toss everything together to combine and heat through for another 2-3 minutes.
5. Finish and Serve: Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately. Enjoy the Mediterranean flavors!

Notes

• Use boneless skinless chicken breasts for quick, even cooking.
• Sun-dried tomatoes add an extra layer of tangy sweetness but can be omitted if unavailable.
• The dish pairs well with couscous, rice, or warm pita bread.
• Fresh herbs like parsley enhance flavor but are optional.
• Adjust the amount of lemon juice depending on your taste preference for acidity.

Keywords: Mediterranean chicken stir fry, quick chicken dinner, sautéed chicken and vegetables, healthy Mediterranean recipe, chicken with feta and olives