Mediterranean Lemon Chicken with Artichokes & Olives Recipe
This Mediterranean Lemon Chicken with Artichokes & Olives is a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a zesty lemon sauce with briny olives, tender artichokes, and aromatic herbs. Perfect for a healthy and elegant weeknight dinner, it’s easy to prepare and packed with fresh Mediterranean ingredients.
- Author: Nora
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Low Fat
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Sauce and Vegetables
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- 1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
- 1/2 cup pitted green olives, halved
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup white wine (optional)
- 1/2 red onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken once it’s seared.
- Season Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, pepper, dried oregano, dried basil, and garlic powder to infuse them with Mediterranean flavors.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear each side for 3-4 minutes until they develop a golden-brown crust. This locks in moisture and flavor.
- Remove Chicken: Take the chicken breasts out of the skillet and set aside to prepare the sauce and vegetables.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: In the same skillet, add the sliced red onion and minced garlic. Sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant and softened, scraping up any browned bits from the chicken.
- Add Artichokes and Olives: Stir in the quartered artichoke hearts and halved green olives. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to combine flavors.
- Add Liquids: Pour in the chicken broth, white wine (if using), lemon juice, and lemon zest. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to meld the flavors and start reducing the sauce.
- Return Chicken: Place the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet, spooning some of the sauce and vegetables over each piece to coat well.
- Bake: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C) and the sauce has slightly thickened.
- Garnish and Serve: Once cooked, garnish the dish with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness before serving.
Notes
- White wine is optional but adds depth; substitute with extra chicken broth if avoiding alcohol.
- To keep the dish gluten free, ensure chicken broth is gluten free.
- For juicier chicken, let the chicken rest for a few minutes after baking.
- Use fresh herbs if available for an even brighter flavor.
- This dish pairs well with rice, couscous, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: Mediterranean chicken, lemon chicken, artichoke chicken, chicken with olives, healthy chicken recipe, baked chicken breasts