Greek-Style Lemon Chicken with Olives

Greek-Style Lemon Chicken with Olives

Mia

This Greek-Style Lemon Chicken with Olives is a vibrant one-pan Mediterranean dinner that brings the sun-drenched flavors of Greece to your table. Tender chicken thighs are braised with briny Kalamata olives, juicy tomatoes, and aromatic herbs in a bright lemon sauce that perfectly balances richness with acidity. The dish embodies the heart-healthy principles of the Mediterranean Diet, featuring olive oil, fresh vegetables, and lean protein cooked simply to let the natural flavors shine.

What makes this recipe truly special is its simplicity and depth of flavor. The chicken develops a golden crust before simmering in a fragrant sauce infused with garlic, oregano, and fresh lemon juice. As it cooks, the olives release their savory brine while the tomatoes break down into a luscious sauce that coats every piece of chicken. This is comfort food at its finest—rustic, wholesome, and deeply satisfying.

Perfect for a weeknight dinner or entertaining guests, this dish requires minimal hands-on time while delivering restaurant-quality results. The ingredients are pantry staples in Greek cuisine, and the one-pan preparation means easy cleanup. Serve it with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce, or alongside rice, couscous, or roasted potatoes for a complete Mediterranean feast that nourishes both body and soul.

Nutrition

50 minutes
None servings
425 calories
Fat 28.00g
Carbs 12.00g
Protein 34.00g

Ingredients

2 lbsbone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, patted dry
1 tspsalt
1/2 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
3 tbspextra virgin olive oil
1 mediumyellow onion, diced
4 clovesgarlic, minced
2 cupscherry tomatoes, halved
3/4 cupkalamata olives, pitted
1 cupchicken broth
1/4 cupfresh lemon juice, from about 2 lemons
2 tspdried oregano
1 Nonelemon, sliced into rounds
1/4 cupfresh parsley, chopped
3 Nonefresh thyme sprigs (optional)

Equipment

Wooden spoon
Cutting board
paper towels
tongs
chef's knife
meat thermometer
measuring cups and spoons
large deep skillet or braising pan with lid

16:8 Diet

This nutrient-dense meal is ideal for the 16:8 eating window, providing substantial protein from chicken thighs, healthy fats from olive oil, and fiber-rich vegetables that deliver sustained energy and satiety. The balanced macronutrients help meet daily nutritional needs within the compressed eating timeframe.

80/20 Diet

This recipe fits the 80/20 Diet perfectly, with over 80% of ingredients being nutrient-dense whole foods like chicken, vegetables, olives, and fresh herbs, while allowing for the richness of olive oil and skin-on chicken that add flavor and satisfaction. The balance of wholesome ingredients with naturally flavorful components makes it both nutritious and enjoyable.

Ancestral Diet

This recipe follows Ancestral Diet principles by using only whole, unprocessed foods—chicken, vegetables, olives, herbs, and olive oil—without any grains, legumes, dairy, or processed ingredients. The simple one-pan preparation with nutrient-dense ingredients mirrors traditional ancestral cooking methods.

Clean Eating

This recipe exemplifies clean eating with its use of whole, minimally processed ingredients in their natural state: fresh chicken, vegetables, olives, herbs, and extra virgin olive oil. Every ingredient is recognizable and free from artificial additives, preservatives, or refined ingredients.

Gluten-Free Diet

This recipe is naturally gluten-free, using only whole ingredients like chicken, vegetables, olives, and herbs without any wheat, barley, rye, or gluten-containing additives. The simple preparation with fresh, unprocessed ingredients ensures complete gluten-free compliance.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This recipe supports heart health by using extra virgin olive oil as the primary fat, lean poultry, and abundant vegetables while keeping sodium moderate through fresh ingredients and herbs for flavoring. The Mediterranean-style preparation with tomatoes, olives, and lemon provides antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds beneficial for cardiovascular health.

Intermittent Fasting

This nutrient-dense meal is ideal for intermittent fasting eating windows, providing high-quality protein from chicken thighs, healthy fats from olive oil, and fiber-rich vegetables that promote satiety and stable blood sugar throughout fasting periods. The whole, unprocessed ingredients maximize nutritional value during limited eating times.

Intuitive Eating

This satisfying Mediterranean dish supports Intuitive Eating principles by offering a balanced, flavorful meal that honors both taste preferences and gentle nutrition without restriction or guilt. The recipe emphasizes pleasure and nourishment through wholesome ingredients prepared in a way that's both delicious and naturally nutritious.

Mediterranean Diet

This recipe is a quintessential Mediterranean dish that showcases the diet's core principles: extra virgin olive oil as the primary fat, abundant vegetables (tomatoes, onions), lean poultry, fresh herbs (oregano, parsley, thyme), and bright lemon juice for flavoring. The one-pan preparation with simple, whole ingredients and minimal processing perfectly embodies the heart-healthy Mediterranean approach to cooking.

Mindful Eating

This recipe is perfect for mindful eating with its vibrant colors, varied textures, and aromatic herbs that engage all the senses. The whole, minimally processed ingredients—golden chicken, bright tomatoes, briny olives, and fragrant lemon—encourage slow, conscious appreciation of each element's unique flavor and texture.

Paleo Diet

This recipe is fully Paleo-compliant, featuring grass-fed chicken, vegetables, olives, and healthy olive oil while completely avoiding grains, legumes, dairy, and processed ingredients. The simple preparation using only whole foods—meat, vegetables, herbs, and natural fats—aligns perfectly with ancestral eating principles.

Primal Blueprint

This recipe is Primal Blueprint-compliant, featuring high-quality protein from chicken thighs, abundant non-starchy vegetables (tomatoes, onions), healthy fats from olive oil and chicken skin, and fresh herbs while completely avoiding grains, legumes, refined sugars, and processed foods. The Mediterranean-style preparation emphasizes whole, natural ingredients that support optimal health.

Primal Diet

This recipe is Primal-compliant, featuring pasture-raised chicken with skin (providing healthy fats), non-starchy vegetables, olives, and quality olive oil while avoiding all grains, legumes, refined sugars, and processed ingredients. The simple preparation with whole foods and natural fats aligns perfectly with Primal eating principles.

Instructions

1

Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.

2 min
2
2 min

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large, deep skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat until shimmering.

3
7 min

Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the hot pan and cook without moving for 5-7 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy.

4
4 min

Flip the chicken thighs and cook for another 3-4 minutes on the second side until browned. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.

5
5 min

Reduce heat to medium and add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the pot. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5-6 minutes. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.

6
1 min

Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly.

7

Add the halved cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, chicken broth, lemon juice, and dried oregano to the pan. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.

2 min
8

Return the chicken thighs to the pan, skin-side up, nestling them into the sauce. Add the lemon slices and thyme sprigs if using.

1 min
9
25 min

Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the pan, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

10
5 min

Remove the lid and increase heat to medium-high. Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes to reduce the sauce slightly and crisp up the chicken skin.

11

Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

5 min

Frequently Asked Questions