Skillet Mediterranean Chicken Recipe
This Mediterranean Chicken is marinated in a flavorful garlic, herb, and lemon dressing before being cooked with bell peppers and red onions. The colors of this dish will make your mouth water before you even take a bite of this deliciously juicy chicken bursting with flavors of the Mediterranean.
Whether you are feeding your family or hosting a dinner party, this is a perfect dish.
Table of contents
To say that my husband loves this dish is an understatement. As I was developing this chicken dish so that the flavors were spot on, I did a lot of testing and John could not get enough of it!
The chicken is tender, moist, and incredibly tasty! I start by slathering it in a simple but flavorful marinade of lemon, lots of garlic, oregano, and fresh rosemary. Then I let it rest for a couple of hours so it soaks in all those delicious flavors. When I am ready to cook it, I give it a good sear on both sides, add the vibrant peppers and onions, and pop it in the oven for 20 minutes.
The result is nothing short of delicious! The Mediterranean flavors from the lemon and garlic to the rosemary and oregano really make this dish. It has become a family favorite because it is made with simple ingredients the whole family loves.
We eat a lot of chicken mainly because it is so versatile. There are just so many ways to prepare it, from Italian Sweet and Sour Chicken to Chicken Rollatini with Sausage and Spinach, the possibilities are endless and delicious.
Let me show you how easy it is to make this skillet chicken recipe.
Ingredients for this Easy Chicken Recipe
Bone-in Chicken: I like to make this recipe with bone-in skin-on chicken pieces such as thighs and drumsticks. Feel free to take the skin off or use chicken breast, but I recommend using bone-in chicken for the most flavor.
Fresh Minced Garlic: The garlic is one of the main flavor-producing ingredients, so you will want to make sure it is fresh.
Lemon: You will use the lemon juice and zest. It is easier to zest the lemon before juicing it.
Olive Oil: Olive oil is an integral part of Mediterranean cuisine; you will need some for the chicken marinade and dressing the vegetables.
Fresh Rosemary: I love how the fresh rosemary works in this dish. Chop it finely to get the most flavor out of it.
Dried Oregano: This is an ingredient I always have on hand. A small amount of the dried herb adds lots of flavor. If you use fresh herbs, double the amount called for in the recipe.
Yellow, Orange, or Red Peppers: An assortment of bell peppers creates a colorful dish. Cut the peppers in chunks.
Red Onion: Also cut in chunks. You can substitute another sweet-flavored onion.
Garlic Powder: This will help to season the vegetables.
Step-by-Step Instructions For Easy Mediterranean Chicken
1. Marinade the Chicken
- Whisk the minced garlic, lemon zest and juice, olive oil, rosemary, oregano, salt and black pepper in a medium bowl.
- Dry the chicken pieces with paper towels. Rub the marinade all over the chicken including under the skin. Place the chicken in a plastic storage bag, pour the remaining marinade into the bag. Refrigerate the chicken for at least 2 hours and up to 8 hours.
2. Cook the Chicken and Vegetables
- Preheat the Oven to 400℉. Toss the bell peppers, onions, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and juice from ½ lemon in a large bowl and set it aside.
- Add 2 tbsp of olive oil in a cast iron skillet or another heavy large skillet safe for use in the oven, and set over medium-high heat. When the oil is glistening, carefully add the chicken. Sear the chicken on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side depending on the size of the chicken pieces until they are golden brown. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
- Pour the vegetables and any liquid into the skillet and cook for 2 minutes over medium heat, just until the vegetables start to become tender.
- Return the chicken, juices, and any leftover marinade into the skillet, nestling it into the vegetables. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken registers 175℉ on an instant-read thermometer.
- Remove the foil from the skillet, turn on the broiler, and broil until the top of the chicken is crisp approximately 2 minutes.
Cooking Tips
- Give the chicken at least 2 hours to sit in the marinade for optimum flavor.
- Make sure to rub the marinade under the chicken skin so it is seasoned throughout.
- Don’t throw the leftover marinade away. Adding it to the chicken and vegetables before putting the dish in the oven adds wonderful flavor. The marinade will cook with the chicken so it is safe to eat.
- Watch the chicken while it is under the broiler so it doesn’t burn.
- Chopped fresh parsley and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice on the chicken before serving adds to the fresh flavor of this dish.
What to Serve with this Mediterranean Chicken Dinner
This juicy chicken recipe creates a lot of pan juices during its time in the oven so I like to serve it over pasta or rice. You can even serve it over mashed potatoes for a meal the entire family will love.
A loaf of crusty bread or focaccia is perfect for sopping up the delicious juices from this dish. Feel free to serve extra veggies like green beans or asparagus on the side of the chicken for a complete and delicious dinner.
Storage Recommendations
Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days. This is one of those chicken recipes that tastes even better the next day. So it is a great recipe to make ahead and reheat it for dinner on a busy weeknight.
FAQ’s
The classic herbs and spices common in Mediterranean cooking include Garlic, Basil, Rosemary, Parsley, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Coriander, Cumin, Fennel, Tarragon, and Chives. You will often see a combination of these herbs and spices in recipes in all parts of the Mediterranean.
To properly brown chicken you need to start with chicken that has been dried with a paper towel and a hot pan set over medium-high heat. Add a little oil to your hot pan, when it glistens it is time to add the chicken carefully so that any splatters don’t hit you. Let the chicken sear for several minutes without disturbing it. The chicken is ready to be turned when it can be lifted easily from the pan. Repeat this on the other side.
More Chicken Recipes to Try
Some of our favorite recipes are so simple to make, like Breaded Italian Cutlets and Roasted Whole Chicken.
Chicken is also a great option for the summertime grilling. You will love my Grilled Stuffed Chicken Breast and Grilled Chicken Legs.
I love to get your feedback so if you tried this No Bake Pumpkin Pie with Graham Cracker Curst & Pecan Topping or any other recipes on this website, please leave me a comment below. I hope you enjoy our recipes and look forward to hearing from you!
You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for more recipes your family will love!
Mediterranean Chicken Recipe
Mediterranean Chicken
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Enza’s Quail Hollow Kitchen
Equipment
- 1 Oven Safe Skillet or cast iron skillet
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 6 Cloves Garlic minced
- 1 Lemon zest and juice
- ¼ cup Olive Oil
- 1 tbsp Rosemary fresh chopped
- ½ tsp Oregano dried
- 1 tsp Salt Kosher
- ½ tsp Black Pepper
- 3 Chicken Drumsticks bone-in, with skin
- 3 Chicken Thighs bone-in, with skin
Vegetables
- 2 Bell Peppers Large, red, yellow or orange, cut into large chunks
- 1 Red Onion Cut into large chunks
- 3 tbsp Olive Oil
- ½ tsp Oregano
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Salt Kosher
- ¼ tsp Black Pepper
- ½ Lemon juice
Instructions
Marinade the Chicken
- Whisk the minced garlic, lemon zest and juice, olive oil, rosemary, oregano, salt and black pepper in a medium bowl.
- Dry the chicken pieces with a paper towel. Rub the marinade all over the chicken including under the skin. Place the chicken in a plastic storage bag, pour the remaining marinade in the bag. Refrigerate the chicken for at least 2 hours and up to 8 hours.
Cook the Chicken and Vegetables
- Preheat the Oven to 400℉. Toss the bell peppers, onions, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, black pepper and juice from ½ lemon in a large bowl and set it aside.
- Add 2 tbsp of olive oil in a cast iron skillet set over medium high heat. When the oil is glistening, carefully add the chicken. Brown the chicken on both sides, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a plate. Pour the vegetables and any liquid into the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, just until the vegetables start to become tender.
- Return the chicken and any juices back into the skillet, nestling it into the vegetables. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and place it in the oven. Bake for 30 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken registers 175℉ on an instant read thermometer.
- Remove the foil from the skillet, turn the broiler and broil until the top of the chicken is crisp, approximately 2 minutes.
Delicious recipe! So easy!