Description
A quick and flavorful Mediterranean-inspired skillet featuring lean ground chicken, briny Kalamata olives, and creamy feta cheese. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner that feels like a mini escape to the Mediterranean.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken (lean)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium red onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup Kalamata olives (75g), pitted and halved
- ½ cup feta cheese (75g), crumbled
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Juice of half a lemon
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking (about 2 minutes).
- Add the finely chopped red onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté, stirring frequently, until onions are translucent and garlic is fragrant but not browned, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add the ground chicken to the skillet. Break it apart with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is no longer pink and starts to brown in spots, about 7-8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper as it cooks.
- Sprinkle in the dried oregano, ground cumin, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Stir to combine. Add the halved Kalamata olives and cook for another 2 minutes to infuse flavor.
- Turn off the heat and sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese evenly over the top. Add the chopped fresh parsley and gently stir to combine without breaking up the feta too much.
- Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the skillet just before serving to brighten the flavors.
Notes
[‘Don’t rush the onion and garlic step to develop sweet, mellow flavors.’, ‘Break up the ground chicken well but avoid over-stirring to maintain a hearty texture.’, ‘Use good-quality Kalamata olives and feta for best flavor.’, ‘Adjust salt carefully since olives and feta are naturally salty.’, ‘Let the skillet rest a few minutes before serving to meld flavors.’, ‘Optional: Add chopped spinach or cherry tomatoes before turning off heat for extra veggies.’, ‘Toast pine nuts or slivered almonds for a crunchy topping.’, ‘Variations include adding harissa paste for spice, extra veggies like zucchini and bell peppers, or swapping parsley for mint or dill.’, ‘For a vegan version, replace ground chicken with crumbled tofu or tempeh and use a plant-based cheese alternative.’]
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 20
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 28
Keywords: ground chicken, Mediterranean, skillet, olives, feta, easy dinner, one-pan meal, healthy, quick recipe