Sautéed Chicken with Spiced Tomato and Olive Ragout

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken breasts cooked in a fragrant tomato ragout with olives and warm spices, perfect for a hearty dinner. This mediterranean-inspired chicken (mediterranean) ready in about 40 minutes pairs (6 oz each) chicken breasts, olive oil, minced garlic cloves 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 4 chicken breasts dry 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 and sauté the chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 diced medium onion. Sauté over medium heat for 4-5 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 1/2 cup halved kalamata olives, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, and 1/2 tsp dried oregano. Simmer for 8-10 minutes until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld.
  4. Step 4: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon the tomato and olive ragout over them, and cook together for an additional 3 minutes to reheat and blend flavors.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Chicken 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 Sautéed Chicken 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 (6 oz each) chicken breasts from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Chicken 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 Sautéed Chicken 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 Sautéed Chicken 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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