One-Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken with Mediterranean Olives

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting one-pot meal featuring tender chicken simmered with garlic, lemon, and briny Mediterranean olives for a bright, savory dish. This mediterranean-inspired one pot (mediterranean) ready in about 45 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, extra virgin olive oil, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Season 6 bone-in chicken thighs with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then sear skin-side down for 6-7 minutes until golden and crispy; flip and cook 4 more minutes.
  2. Step 2: Remove chicken and reduce heat to medium. Add 5 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Pour in 1 cup chicken broth and 1/4 cup lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives and 1 tsp dried oregano. Return chicken to the pan, skin side up, cover, and simmer on low heat for 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over the top before serving to add freshness and color.

Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken with Mediterranean Olives take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (10 min prep + 35 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 One-Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken with Mediterranean 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 bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken with Mediterranean 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 One-Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken with Mediterranean 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 One-Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken with Mediterranean Olives?

Mediterranean one pot 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.

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