Pan-Seared Chicken with Roasted Garlic and Mediterranean Olives

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pan-seared chicken breasts with a savory roasted garlic and olive medley that evokes Mediterranean flavors. This mediterranean-inspired chicken (mediterranean) ready in about 40 minutes pairs (6 oz each) chicken breasts, whole garlic cloves, pitted, halved Kalamata olives for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 2, 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.

★ 4.4 (9 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves 2 Mediterranean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Toss 6 whole garlic cloves with 1 tbsp olive oil and wrap in foil. Roast for 25 minutes until soft and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Meanwhile, season 2 chicken breasts generously with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp dried oregano.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken breasts and sear for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  4. Step 4: Remove chicken from skillet and keep warm. Add 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives and the roasted garlic cloves (squeezed from their skins) to the skillet, stirring to combine and warming for 2 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Squeeze 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice into the olive and garlic mixture, stirring to deglaze the pan and coat the olives.
  6. Step 6: Plate the chicken breasts and spoon the olive and roasted garlic mixture over the top. Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with Roasted Garlic and Mediterranean Olives 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 with Roasted Garlic and 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 (6 oz each) chicken breasts from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken with Roasted Garlic and 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 Pan-Seared Chicken with Roasted Garlic and Mediterranean Olives for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 with Roasted Garlic and Mediterranean Olives?

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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