This easy one-pan Mediterranean chicken stir fry comes together in just 30 minutes. It's a simple yet flavorful weeknight meal that features staples of Mediterranean cuisine: tomatoes, spinach, lemon, oregano, smoked paprika, and feta cheese. It's healthy, gluten-free, keto, low-carb, and rich in protein and fiber. Serve it as is, or with roasted spaghetti squash, rice, orzo pasta, or cauliflower rice.
Mediterranean chicken stir-fry
In this recipe, the skinless boneless chicken thighs are first cooked with smoked paprika and oregano, and then combined with garlic cherry tomatoes, spinach, and feta cheese. It takes only 30 minutes and requires one cooking pan. The cleanup is minimal - perfect for busy weeknights. It's a very simple recipe, yet the flavors are rich and complex. This dish is gluten-free, keto, low in calories, low in carbs, and high in protein and fiber. The only dairy product is feta cheese, there is no cream and no butter. You can easily make it dairy-free by using dairy-free feta cheese. If you love this kind of Mediterranean chicken dinner inspiration, don't miss my other favorite 30-minute one-pan recipes: chicken Margherita skillet and pesto chicken with veggies (asparagus and tomatoes).
Why you'll love it
- Nutrient-dense dinner. This incredibly easy Mediterranean chicken stir-fry is a well-balanced meal that has everything: lots of veggies (tomatoes and spinach), protein (chicken), and healthy fats (feta cheese).
- Easy-to make. It's a simple dinner that a whole family will love! Easy enough to make it on a busy weeknight, yet the presentation is so appealing that you can serve it when you have company over.
Main ingredients
- Chicken. You can use skinless boneless chicken thighs, chicken breasts, or tenderloins. This recipe is also great for leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken!
- Spinach is packed with nutrients and antioxidants. It’s high in fiber and a good source of many vitamins and minerals. Spinach is a great source of vitamins A and C, as well as folic acid, iron, and calcium. I used fresh spinach, but frozen spinach can certainly be used! Make sure to thaw it and drain it from any liquid. I would even pat it dry with paper towels.
- Tomatoes. I used red cherry tomatoes.
- Feta cheese is quite nutritious, as well, and is a great source of calcium. This delicious cheese has a soft texture and briny flavor.
- Seasonings include smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Olive oil is used to cook the chicken.
Substitutions and variations
- Fresh spinach or frozen. I used fresh spinach but frozen spinach (thawed and drained well of all liquid) can be used, too.
- Use leftover chicken. This recipe works great with leftover cooked chicken, grilled chicken, or rotisserie chicken.
- Lime or lemon will work great. Freshly squeezed juice is always the best!
- Veggies. My favorite veggies for Mediterranean chicken are chopped tomatoes, bell peppers, artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, asparagus, green beans, cucumber, zucchini, arugula, and spinach. Choose any of these, and mix and match!
- Cheese. You can use grated Parmesan, Asiago, or Mozzarella cheese instead of the Feta cheese.
Storage and reheating tips
- Fridge. Store the leftover chicken stir fry in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer. You can freeze this dish for up to a month.
- Reheat in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Check and reheat for 30 seconds more or longer.
- Reheat on the stovetop. You can also reheat the leftovers on medium heat, stirring regularly, in the skillet on the stovetop. When reheating, add a small amount of olive oil to the skillet.
What to serve with it
- Roasted spaghetti squash is a great alternative to regular pasta! It's healthy, gluten-free, low-carb, keto, and packed with fiber.
- Cauliflower rice is a delicious low-carb and keto alternative to regular rice.
- Quinoa will pair beautifully with this Mediterranean chicken stir-fry.
- Rice, such as long-grain jasmine or basmati rice.
- Orzo is a short-cut pasta shaped like rice.
Other Mediterranean chicken recipes
- Mediterranean Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Artichokes, and Capers
- Chicken Margherita with Cherry Tomatoes, Bell Peppers, Basil Pesto, and Mozzarella
- Pesto Chicken with Veggies (Asparagus and Tomatoes)
Mediterranean Chicken Stir Fry with Vegetables (30-Minutes, One-Pan)
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs or breasts
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Veggies
- 10 oz fresh spinach
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 8 oz cherry tomatoes halved
- 6 oz crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
Cook chicken
- In a large, high-sided skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Slice chicken thighs into smaller segments and season generously with smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt and pepper.
- Add the chicken to the skillet and cook on medium heat on both sides for about 10 or 15 minutes until the chicken is completely cooked.
- Remove chicken from the skillet.
Make a veggie mixture
- To the same, now empty, skillet (with juices from chicken), add fresh spinach, half of the halved cherry tomatoes (saving the other half for later), and minced garlic. Cook the spinach on medium heat for about 5 or 10 minutes until it wilts.
- Add crumbled feta cheese, the remaining half of the cherry tomatoes, and 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice and mix to combine.
- Return cooked chicken back to the skillet and reheat gently.
- Season the veggie mixture with salt and pepper.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer:
The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I made this dish for my family tonight and it was delicious. I loved that it was a one pot dish and made for an easier clean up!
Thank you, Javonda, for your 5-star review and I am glad you enjoyed the recipe! 🙂
Took longer than the time estimated, but it was really good! I'd up the amount of seasoning for the next time.
As for any criticisms, I'd say it'd be nice to know how big of pieces to cut the chicken into. 9/10, will make again!!
Thanks, Ashley for your wonderful review and feedback!! So glad you enjoyed this recipe! 🙂
What do you think to use frozen spinach that o froze for my smoothies? I don’t have fresh!
You can use it frozen spinach - just thaw it completely and remove any water, even pat dry the spinach with paper towels so that it doesn't add water to the skillet.
This was fantastic! I added penne pasta and my very picky family ate everything!
Thank you, Rachel, for taking the time to leave your 5-star review! 🙂
Me and my family loved this dish today! Easy and quick to prepare, fresh and healthy food with delicious taste. We even enjoyed the feta cheese which is normally not our favourite. I chose quinoa to go with it. I will definitely use this recipe again and have already shared it with friends 🙂
By the way, the option to switch units (US to metric) is só convenient!
Greetings from the Netherlands
Hi Marjolein, Quinoa is a perfect pairing, and I'm happy to hear the metric unit switch was helpful! Greetings back to you in the Netherlands, and I hope you find more recipes you love! 🙂
Made this for the family tonight. I can see this becoming a favorite dish of ours. Made toasted quinoa to go with it. Healthy, delicious, and simple to make! I've already shared & recommended this recipe to several family members!! I'm so glad I came across this one! Can't wait to try some of your other recipes.
Hi Lucinda! Toasted quinoa sounds like the perfect side! I’m thrilled this recipe is becoming a family favorite—and thank you so much for sharing and recommending it. Can’t wait for you to try more recipes! 🙂
This dish was a definite hit. It was healthy, flavorful, quick to prepare and cook. I made the recipe as is for my husband and adult kids. They all loved it and asked for me to share the recipe. I will definitely make this again.
I am so happy your whole family enjoyed this dish, Ruth. Thank you for taking the time to share your review! 🙂 🙂
I was looking for a way to use the spinach in my fridge as well as the chicken tenders in my freezer. This recipe was just what I was after. I followed the recipe as well as one commenter who added a little chicken broth and white wine to the pan after the chicken came out. Delicious and healthy meal!
Thank you, Paula, for your review and for sharing your add-ins! Chicken broth + white wine sound delicious!