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. It’s a quick and healthy meal perfect for busy weeknights, bursting with herbs, olives, and tangy feta.

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: Prepare all your ingredients by chopping, slicing, and dicing as needed.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and black pepper, then sear them until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
3. Step 3: Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. Add the remaining olive oil to the same pan and sauté the sliced onions and minced garlic until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
4. Step 4: Add the zucchini, red bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Cook until the vegetables are just tender, about 4-5 minutes.
5. Step 5: Return the chicken to the skillet, tossing it with the vegetables. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, and additional salt and pepper to taste.
6. Step 6: Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the mixture, then gently fold in the halved Kalamata olives and crumbled feta cheese.
7. Step 7: Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in lemon juice, olive oil, and dried herbs for 30 minutes before cooking.
• Swap out the chicken for shrimp or firm tofu to create different protein options.
• Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
• Serve over cooked quinoa, couscous, or rice for a more filling meal.

Storage

Store leftover stir fry in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over medium heat or microwave until heated through. Add a splash of water or olive oil if the dish seems dry.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Yes, but be sure to fully thaw the chicken before cooking to ensure even cooking and the best texture.

Can this recipe be made gluten-free?

Yes, this dish is naturally gluten-free as it uses fresh ingredients and no wheat-based products. Just double-check any store-bought sun-dried tomatoes or olives to ensure they contain no gluten additives.

Mediterranean Chicken Stir Fry Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 62 reviews

This Mediterranean Chicken Stir Fry is a vibrant and healthy dish combining tender chicken breast with fresh vegetables, olives, feta cheese, and aromatic herbs. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it offers a burst of Mediterranean flavors with a colorful mix of zucchini, red bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and sun-dried tomatoes sautéed to perfection in olive oil and finished with a squeeze of lemon juice.

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

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

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

Vegetables & Other Ingredients

• 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. Preparation: Begin by preparing all your ingredients. Chop, slice, and dice the chicken, zucchini, red bell peppers, red onion, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and halve the cherry tomatoes and olives to get everything ready for cooking.
2. Cook the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and black pepper. Sear the chicken in the hot oil until golden brown and fully cooked, about 6 to 8 minutes. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
3. Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the sliced onions and minced garlic, sautéing them until fragrant and softened, around 2 minutes.
4. Cook Vegetables: Add the zucchini, red bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Sauté the vegetables until they become just tender, about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
5. Combine Chicken and Vegetables: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Toss the chicken with the vegetables to combine. Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
6. Finish the Dish: Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the mixture for brightness, then gently fold in the halved Kalamata olives and crumbled feta cheese. Heat through for a minute or so, allowing flavors to meld without melting the cheese completely.
7. Serve: Serve the Mediterranean Chicken Stir Fry hot, optionally garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of color and fresh herbaceous flavor.

Notes

• You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts if you prefer a juicier result.
• For a spicier twist, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes when sautéing the vegetables.
• Serve with warm pita bread or over couscous for a complete Mediterranean meal.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keywords: Mediterranean chicken stir fry, healthy chicken recipes, quick chicken dinner, chicken and vegetables, feta chicken stir fry