Description
A quick and healthy 30-minute dinner featuring juicy chicken thighs, bright lemon, tangy feta, and Mediterranean herbs. Perfect for busy weeknights and meal prep.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large lemon, zest and juice
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 teaspoons)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- ¾ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Zest and juice the lemon into a small bowl. Mince the garlic, chop the parsley, halve the cherry tomatoes, and crumble the feta if not already done. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken thighs generously with salt, pepper, and oregano. Place chicken skin-side down and cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook the other side for 3-4 minutes. Chicken will finish cooking later.
- Lower heat to medium. Push chicken to one side of the pan and add remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add cherry tomatoes and cook until softened and blistered, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle in red pepper flakes if using.
- Pour lemon juice over chicken and tomatoes, swirling the pan to deglaze. Add Kalamata olives and stir gently. Cover skillet and simmer for 4-5 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
- Remove lid and sprinkle crumbled feta evenly over chicken and tomatoes. Cover and cook for 1-2 minutes until feta softens slightly but does not melt completely. Sprinkle chopped parsley over the top.
- Serve immediately from the skillet or transfer to plates. Enjoy with warm pita bread, rice, or a crisp green salad.
Notes
[‘Pat chicken dry before searing to get a good crust.’, ‘Do not rush the sear; wait until chicken releases easily from the pan before flipping.’, ‘Use fresh lemon zest and juice for best flavor.’, ‘Add feta cheese at the end to keep its crumbly texture.’, ‘Simmer covered to finish cooking and meld flavors.’, ‘Fresh oregano can be added with parsley for more aroma.’, ‘Do not skip Kalamata olives; they add essential salty tang.’, ‘Avoid overcooking chicken to prevent dryness; internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).’, ‘For leftovers, reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water or olive oil to maintain moisture.’]
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 390
- Sodium: 820
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 38
Keywords: Greek chicken, lemon chicken, feta cheese, healthy dinner, quick chicken recipe, Mediterranean chicken, easy chicken dinner