Name: Fast Mediterranean Chicken Skillet
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 14.5 oz can whole peeled tomatoes; 0.5 lb chicken breast strips; 0.25 oz harissa spice blend; 1 oz Kalamata olives; 1 oz golden raisins; 2 Mediterranean pitas; 3 oz baby spinach; 1.4 oz feta cheese; olive oil; kosher salt; ground pepper; sugar; 2 teaspoons garlic (finely chopped)

When the workday crashes down and I realize it’s already 6 PM, my first thought is always about balance. I want something that tastes like I spent hours lovingly creating it, but I only have minutes to spare. If you’re nodding along, I’ve got the perfect answer: my absolute favorite **Fast Mediterranean Chicken Skillet**! This dish is proof that you don’t need complicated steps to get those vibrant, sunny flavors we all crave from the Mediterranean.

For me, Mediterranean food always feels naturally nourishing; it just makes me feel good inside and out. This skillet is what I turn to when I need a substantial, high-protein meal on the table quickly. We’re talking bright tomatoes, salty feta, and that wonderful little kick from harissa, all cooked up in one pan. That means cleanup is a breeze too! Trust me, friend, this recipe streamlines your weeknight efforts without sacrificing an ounce of flavor. You can find this and other easy dinner recipes over in my dedicated Dinner category.

Why This Fast Mediterranean Chicken Skillet is Your New Weeknight Hero (Easy Dinner Recipes)

When I say this is a hero recipe, I mean it! It ticks every box for a successful weeknight dinner. Seriously, if you’re looking for true easy family dinner recipes, grab your skillet right now.

A skillet filled with Fast Mediterranean Chicken Skillet featuring seasoned chicken, spinach, tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese.

It’s a true **One Pan Meal**, meaning post-dinner cleanup is shockingly fast.
Total cook time is around 25 minutes, making it perfect for those nights when you’re starving!
The flavors are bright, savory, and feel much fancier than they taste on the effort scale.

Quick Prep for Your Fast Mediterranean Chicken Skillet

The prep time is only about 10 minutes, and that’s mostly just opening cans and giving a few ingredients a rough chop—no need for fancy knife skills here. We keep things incredibly simple because speed is the name of the game. Just pat the chicken dry, dice the garlic, and you’re practically ready to start cooking. It’s the perfect example of a fantastic 30 minute meal!

Flavor Profile: Bold Mediterranean Taste

What sets this apart from just any old chicken dinner is the sheer punch of flavor. We’re using salty Kalamata olives, creamy feta cheese crumbled right in at the end, and the earthy heat from the harissa spice. It’s sharp, savory, and those little golden raisins popped throughout? They add just the right touch of unexpected sweetness to balance everything out. It tastes like a vacation in a skillet!

Ingredients Needed for the Fast Mediterranean Chicken Skillet

When gathering your haul for this *Fast Mediterranean Chicken Skillet*, remember quality matters, but speed is key. You’ll need about 0.5 lb of chicken breast cut into strips. I always keep a 14.5 oz can of whole peeled tomatoes handy—seriously, don’t drain them! We use kitchen shears to chop those right in the can. Then, grab your flavor boosters: Kalamata olives, golden raisins, baby spinach, and that essential crumbly feta cheese. Don’t forget the harissa spice blend; that’s where the magic happens!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Let’s talk about those bold flavors! If you are nervous about the heat from the harissa spice blend, start with just half a teaspoon—you can always add more later. It’s way harder to take heat out once it’s simmering. Also, please check your olives! If they aren’t listed as pitted, take a minute to quickly remove those pits before they go into the skillet. Nobody wants a surprise crunch in their otherwise tender bite. For the feta, buy a block if you can; the pre-crumbled stuff dries out too fast.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Fast Mediterranean Chicken Skillet

Alright, let’s get cooking! This is where the magic happens, and I promise it’s incredibly straightforward. Since we are aiming for a speedy recipe here, make sure you have your ingredients prepped (tomatoes chopped in the can, garlic ready to go) before you turn on the heat. Once you start, everything moves fast, especially since this is one of those brilliant 30 minute meals!

Cooking the Chicken and Building Flavor Base

First things first: get that chicken ready. Patting it totally dry is non-negotiable—it’s the secret to getting a real nice brown sear instead of a steamy mess. Heat up a tablespoon of olive oil in your medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add your seasoned chicken strips and cook them for about 5 to 7 minutes total until they look nicely browned on all sides. Immediately stir in your finely chopped garlic and half a teaspoon of that harissa spice blend. Cook that mixture for just about one minute until you can really smell those spices waking up; don’t let the garlic burn, though!

Simmering the Sauce and Finishing Touches

Now for the sauce! Gently add the chopped tomatoes (juice and all!), a quarter cup of water, your olives, the raisins, and that tiny pinch of sugar to balance the acidity. Bring that whole wonderful mess to a simmer, then dial the heat down to medium. Let this cook for 10 to 15 minutes. While it simmers, get those pitas ready! Brush them lightly with oil and pop them under the broiler—watch them like a hawk because they only take 2 or 3 minutes to get perfectly golden and warmed through. Once your sauce has developed flavor and the chicken is cooked, stir in the spinach just until it wilts, then toss in the feta cheese. We’re almost done with this **Easy Dinner Recipe**!

Close-up of Fast Mediterranean Chicken Skillet with rich tomato sauce, spinach, and crumbled feta cheese.

Tips for the Best Fast Mediterranean Chicken Skillet Success

Getting this skillet right boils down to a couple of tiny details so it tastes like you fussed over it. To keep your chicken strips super tender, make sure you aren’t overcooking them when you first sear them; they finish cooking in the sauce later! Also, when you bring that tomato sauce up to a simmer, turn the heat down right away so it just gently bubbles. A rolling boil can make the chicken tough or cause the sauce to reduce too quickly. For rich flavor in this healthy chicken skillet, spend that extra minute scraping up all those browned bits from the bottom of the pan—that’s pure flavor gold!

A close-up of the Fast Mediterranean Chicken Skillet, featuring chicken pieces in a rich tomato sauce topped with crumbled feta and spinach.

Serving Suggestions for Your Fast Mediterranean Chicken Skillet

So, we’ve got our rich, bright sauce, tender chicken, wilted spinach, and salty feta all ready to go in that one pan! The instructions mention tearing up your toasted pita bread, and that’s really the best way to eat this. Those warm pita pieces are perfect for scooping up every last drop of that gorgeous sauce—don’t leave any behind! If you want to stretch this into an even bigger meal, especially if you made a slightly smaller batch, I love pairing it with something simple and fresh. A quick lemon-dressed cucumber salad is the perfect cool contrast to the warm spices. You can find some great ideas for simple green sides in my salad recipe section!

Making Ahead and Storing Your Fast Mediterranean Chicken Skillet

I know we are aiming for a quick dinner, but sometimes you get lucky and have leftovers! This skillet holds up beautifully for meal prepping, which is fantastic for next-day lunches or super simple weeknight dinner ideas. Just let the entire skillet cool down completely before you seal it up in an airtight container. It keeps really well in the fridge for about three days. When you reheat it on the stovetop, add just a tiny splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce back up, as it tends to thicken when cold.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Fast Mediterranean Chicken Skillet

I always get questions about making recipes flexible for real life! Since this is one of my go-to healthy recipes for weight loss, people often ask about swaps or how to speed it up even more. Here are the things I hear most often about making this skillet work for you!

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts in this Fast Mediterranean Chicken Skillet?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are so flavorful. If you use them, just know they might need a couple of extra minutes to brown up nicely in that initial searing step. They stay incredibly tender, so don’t worry about drying them out!

How do I make this a complete 30 Minute Meal?

Officially, this clocks in around 35 minutes because of the sauce simmering time. To hit that true 30-minute mark, I suggest buying pre-cut chicken breast strips or slicing your own chicken while the water boils for your cleaning supplies. Every second counts when you’re aiming for a super quick dinner!

Nutritional Snapshot of This Healthy Chicken Skillet

I know many of you are focused on fueling your body right, which is why this recipe fits so well into a balanced lifestyle. Based on the ingredients listed for a two-serving yield, here are the estimates. Keep in mind these numbers are approximates, of course! Each serving of this **Healthy Chicken Skillet** comes out to roughly 450 calories, with a fantastic 35 grams of protein. You’ll also get about 18 grams of fat and 40 grams of carbohydrates. It’s a wholesome, filling meal that feels wonderfully light!

Close-up of Fast Mediterranean Chicken Skillet with chicken tenders, spinach, tomatoes, olives, and crumbled feta cheese.

Share Your Fast Mediterranean Chicken Skillet Experience

I truly hope this skillet becomes a staple in your rotation, just like it is in mine! Once you try this **Fast Mediterranean Chicken Skillet**, please jump over to the comment section below. Let me know what you thought—five stars gets me smiling! Did you try adding sun-dried tomatoes or maybe using a different herb? I would absolutely love to hear about your tweaks. Also, tag me on social media if you snap a picture; seeing your colorful plates truly makes my day! Check out more of my work over at Olivia’s author page!