Description
Mediterranean lemon chicken with artichokes & olives brings zesty flavors from Greece to your dinner table. Bright herbs and tangy citrus create a simple yet elegant meal home cooks will savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 small onion
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
- 0.5 cup white wine
- 1 cup chicken broth
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 cup canned or jarred artichoke hearts
- 0.5 cup green or Kalamata olives
- 2 tbsps capers
- Fresh parsley or basil (for garnish)
- Extra lemon slices (for garnish)
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Combine salt, ground pepper, dried oregano, and smoky paprika to create a robust spice blend, thoroughly coating each chicken piece for maximum flavor infusion.
- Searing Stage: Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat, strategically positioning chicken pieces to develop a deep golden crust, allowing 3-4 minutes of uninterrupted cooking per side to seal in natural juices.
- Aromatic Foundation: Introduce minced garlic, sliced shallots, and diced onions to the skillet, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, creating a flavor-rich base for the Mediterranean-inspired dish.
- Liquid Integration: Pour white wine and chicken broth into the skillet, deglazing the pan and capturing all the concentrated flavor remnants from the chicken searing process.
- Vegetable Incorporation: Gently add quartered artichoke hearts, halved kalamata olives, and fresh lemon slices, nestling them around the browned chicken pieces to infuse complex Mediterranean flavors.
- Braising Process: Reduce heat, cover the skillet, and allow the chicken to simmer gently for 25-30 minutes, ensuring the meat becomes tender and absorbs the surrounding aromatic liquid and vegetable essences.
- Final Flourish: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley and additional lemon zest over the dish, creating a bright, herbaceous finish that elevates the overall Mediterranean profile.
- Serving Recommendation: Transfer chicken and vegetable medley to a serving platter, drizzling the remaining pan sauce for an extra layer of rich, vibrant flavor.
Notes
- Optimize Seasoning Technique: Massage spices directly into chicken skin for deeper flavor penetration and more even coating.
- Control Skillet Temperature: Maintain medium-high heat to achieve golden-brown crust without burning, using a cast-iron skillet for superior heat distribution.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Sear chicken pieces in batches to prevent steam buildup, ensuring crispy exterior and preventing soggy texture.
- Rest Chicken Properly: Allow seared chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes before final cooking to lock in juices and maintain optimal tenderness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg