Mediterranean Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry

Mediterranean Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry

Mia

Mediterranean Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry brings together the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean coast with the convenience of a quick weeknight stir-fry. This dish combines tender pieces of chicken breast with a rainbow of fresh vegetables including bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and red onions, all seasoned with aromatic garlic, fresh herbs, and a splash of lemon juice. The result is a colorful, nutritious meal that captures the essence of Mediterranean cuisine while being ready in under 30 minutes.

What makes this dish truly special is its alignment with the heart-healthy principles of the Mediterranean Diet. Extra virgin olive oil serves as the cooking fat, providing monounsaturated fats and antioxidants. The abundance of vegetables ensures you're getting plenty of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, while the lean chicken breast offers high-quality protein without excess saturated fat. Fresh oregano and basil add authentic Mediterranean flavor along with their own health benefits.

Unlike traditional Asian stir-fries, this Mediterranean version uses ingredients commonly found in Greek, Italian, and Spanish cooking. The addition of Kalamata olives and a finish of crumbled feta cheese (optional but recommended) adds briny, tangy notes that elevate the dish. The cooking technique remains quick and efficient, making it perfect for busy families who want to eat healthfully without spending hours in the kitchen.

This versatile recipe works beautifully served over whole grain couscous, quinoa, or brown rice, or simply enjoyed on its own for a lighter meal. It's also highly adaptable – you can swap vegetables based on what's in season or what you have on hand, making it a go-to recipe you'll return to again and again.

Nutrition

27 minutes
None servings
320 calories
Fat 14.00g
Carbs 12.00g
Protein 36.00g

Ingredients

1.5 lbsboneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
3 tbspextra virgin olive oil, divided
1 largered bell pepper, cut into strips
1 largeyellow bell pepper, cut into strips
1 mediumzucchini, sliced into half-moons
1 mediumred onion, sliced
1 cupcherry tomatoes, halved
4 clovesgarlic, minced
1 tspdried oregano
1/4 cupfresh basil, chopped
1 largelemon, juiced
1/3 cupkalamata olives, pitted and halved
1 tspsalt
1/2 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
1/2 cupfeta cheese, crumbled (optional)
2 tbspfresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Equipment

Cutting board
measuring spoons
measuring cups
wooden spoon or spatula
paper towels
chef's knife
serving platter
large skillet or wok
plate for chicken
lemon juicer

16:8 Diet

This balanced, nutrient-dense meal is ideal for the 16:8 eating window, providing lean protein from chicken breast, fiber and micronutrients from abundant vegetables, and healthy fats from olive oil and olives to promote satiety and sustained energy throughout the fasting period.

80/20 Diet

This recipe perfectly embodies the 80/20 principle with the vast majority of ingredients being nutrient-dense whole foods—lean chicken, colorful vegetables, olive oil, fresh herbs—while allowing the optional feta cheese and olives as flavorful additions that add satisfaction without compromising the overall nutritional quality.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

This stir-fry is rich in anti-inflammatory ingredients including extra virgin olive oil, colorful antioxidant-packed vegetables, garlic, fresh herbs like basil and oregano, and lemon juice, while avoiding processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats that promote inflammation.

Clean Eating

This recipe exemplifies clean eating with only whole, minimally processed ingredients in their natural state—fresh vegetables, lean chicken breast, extra virgin olive oil, fresh herbs, and real feta cheese—without any refined sugars, artificial ingredients, preservatives, or processed foods.

DASH Diet

This recipe supports DASH Diet goals with lean chicken breast, abundant potassium-rich vegetables (bell peppers, zucchini, tomatoes), minimal added sodium (using herbs and lemon for flavor instead), and heart-healthy olive oil while avoiding processed ingredients and excessive saturated fats.

Diabetic Diet

This recipe is excellent for diabetic diets with low-glycemic vegetables that won't spike blood sugar, lean protein from chicken breast to support stable glucose levels, healthy fats from olive oil, and no added sugars or refined carbohydrates, making it ideal for blood sugar management.

Flexitarian Diet

This recipe aligns with Flexitarian principles by featuring a rainbow of vegetables as prominent components alongside moderate portions of lean chicken breast, emphasizing whole foods, healthy fats from olive oil, and plant-forward eating with the option to reduce or omit the chicken for a more plant-centric meal.

Gluten-Free Diet

This recipe is naturally gluten-free, using only whole vegetables, lean chicken, olive oil, and naturally gluten-free ingredients without any wheat, barley, rye, or gluten-containing grains, making it safe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This heart-healthy recipe features lean skinless chicken breast, extra virgin olive oil rich in monounsaturated fats, abundant vegetables for fiber and antioxidants, and minimal sodium (using herbs and lemon for flavor), while avoiding saturated fats, trans fats, and processed ingredients that harm cardiovascular health.

Intermittent Fasting

This nutrient-dense stir-fry is ideal for intermittent fasting eating windows, providing high-quality lean protein from chicken breast, abundant vegetables for fiber and micronutrients, and healthy fats from olive oil and olives to promote satiety and stable blood sugar throughout fasting periods.

Intuitive Eating

This recipe supports Intuitive Eating principles by offering a balanced, satisfying meal with protein, healthy fats, and abundant vegetables that honors both nutrition and pleasure, featuring vibrant Mediterranean flavors and textures without restriction-based language or guilt.

Mayo Clinic Diet

This recipe follows Mayo Clinic Diet principles with abundant vegetables forming the foundation, lean chicken breast for protein, healthy fats from olive oil in moderate amounts, and whole food ingredients that are nutrient-dense and support sustainable weight management without processed foods or added sugars.

Mediterranean Diet

This recipe perfectly embodies Mediterranean Diet principles with extra virgin olive oil as the primary cooking fat, abundant colorful vegetables (bell peppers, zucchini, tomatoes), lean chicken breast as a moderate protein source, and authentic Mediterranean ingredients like Kalamata olives, feta cheese, and fresh herbs. The emphasis on whole foods, healthy fats, and plant-based ingredients aligns perfectly with heart-healthy Mediterranean eating patterns.

MIND Diet

This recipe supports brain health with MIND Diet staples including extra virgin olive oil as the primary fat, abundant vegetables (especially leafy greens if served with a side), lean poultry, berries in the tomatoes, and anti-inflammatory herbs, while avoiding butter, cheese (feta is optional), and fried foods.

Mindful Eating

This colorful Mediterranean stir-fry is perfect for mindful eating with its variety of textures (tender chicken, crisp peppers, juicy tomatoes), vibrant colors (red, yellow, green), aromatic herbs and garlic, and fresh lemon brightness that engage all the senses and encourage slow, conscious appreciation of each bite.

Weight Watchers

Perfect for Weight Watchers with lean skinless chicken breast, abundant non-starchy vegetables that add volume without excess calories, minimal added fats, and nutrient-dense whole food ingredients that support weight management while remaining satisfying and flavorful.

Instructions

1

Prepare all vegetables and chicken as specified in the ingredients list. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels and season with half the salt and pepper.

2

Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and swirl to coat the pan.

1 min
3
3 min

Add the chicken pieces to the hot skillet in a single layer. Cook without stirring for 3 minutes to develop a golden crust.

4
4 min

Stir the chicken and continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes until cooked through and no longer pink inside. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.

5
2 min

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet. Add the sliced red onion and cook for 2 minutes until it begins to soften.

6
4 min

Add the bell pepper strips and zucchini slices to the skillet. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.

7
1 min

Add the minced garlic and dried oregano to the vegetables. Stir constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant.

8
2 min

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the cherry tomatoes and Kalamata olives. Toss everything together for 1-2 minutes until heated through.

9

Remove the skillet from heat. Add the fresh lemon juice, chopped basil, and remaining salt and pepper. Toss well to combine.

10

Transfer the stir-fry to a serving platter. Top with crumbled feta cheese and fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions