Pan-Seared Chicken with Preserved Lemon and Olive Tapenade

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-03 · Updated 2026-06-03

Tender pan-seared chicken breasts served with a tangy preserved lemon and olive tapenade that bursts with Mediterranean flavors. This Mediterranean-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, extra virgin olive oil, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 (6 oz each) chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp preserved lemon peel, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup pitted black olives, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp capers, rinsed and chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
3. Step 3: Add the chicken breasts and sear for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F), then remove and keep warm.
4. Step 4: In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp finely chopped preserved lemon peel, 1/4 cup finely chopped pitted black olives, 2 tbsp chopped capers, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice, and 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil. Stir well to form the tapenade.
5. Step 5: Spoon the tapenade generously over the chicken breasts before serving, allowing the bright and salty flavors to complement the tender meat.