Authentic Grilled Lemon-Herb Chicken with Olives
Classic Mediterranean chicken marinated with sun-dried tomatoes and Kalamata olives, grilled to juicy perfection using traditional techniques. This mediterranean-inspired grilling ready in about 40 minutes pairs boneless chicken breasts, lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless chicken breasts
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tsp fresh rosemary
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pound 1.5 lbs boneless chicken breasts to 1/2-inch thickness, then whisk 3 tbsp lemon juice, 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp chopped rosemary, 1 tsp sea salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper in a bowl.
- Step 2: Coat chicken breasts evenly in marinade, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes (do not exceed 60 minutes to prevent toughening).
- Step 3: Heat grill to medium-high (375°F), brush grates with oil. Grill chicken for 6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F, basting with remaining marinade.
- Step 4: Toss 1/2 cup Kalamata olives and 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes with 1 tsp olive oil, then spoon over chicken just before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Grilled Lemon-Herb Chicken with Olives take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (25 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Authentic Grilled Lemon-Herb Chicken with Olives?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep boneless chicken breasts from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Grilled Lemon-Herb Chicken with Olives?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Grilled Lemon-Herb Chicken with Olives for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Authentic Grilled Lemon-Herb Chicken with Olives?
Mediterranean grilling like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Restaurant quality! Can't believe how easy this was.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
