Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Spiced Tomato and Olive Ragout
Juicy pan-seared chicken thighs served with a robust Mediterranean ragout of tomatoes, olives, and warming spices for a comforting and flavorful dinner. This mediterranean-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs divided salt, divided black pepper, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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
- 4 pieces (about 1.5 lbs) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 tsp, divided salt
- 1/2 tsp, divided black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, finely chopped yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 can (14 oz) canned diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup, pitted and halved kalamata olives
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp, chopped for garnish fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the skillet and sear without moving for 6-7 minutes until the skin is deep golden and crispy. Flip and cook 5 minutes on the other side. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to medium. Add 1 finely chopped medium yellow onion to the skillet and sauté for 4 minutes until translucent. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with juices, 1/2 cup pitted and halved kalamata olives, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Simmer for 5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 5: Nestle chicken thighs back into the skillet skin-side up. Cover and cook over low heat for 10 minutes until chicken is cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
- Step 6: Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and serve hot with crusty bread or rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Spiced Tomato and Olive Ragout take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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 Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Spiced Tomato and Olive Ragout?
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 divided salt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Spiced Tomato and Olive Ragout?
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 Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Spiced Tomato and Olive Ragout 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 Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Spiced Tomato and Olive Ragout?
Mediterranean chicken 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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